One Month To Go

Well, I'm home from my two-week European Vacation and ready to get back into the last month of training. While in Belgium, I ran a 4:57 1500m time trial, and it wasn't too hard for me, so I was happy with that. I think I could run close to 4:50 in a decathlon if I had to. I ran a fair amount in Europe, but my technique training suffered, so I have a little fine-tuning to catch up on in the next 3 weeks. Today I threw the discus around 135' which was a 10foot practice improvement for me, and hurdled, 10x 6 hurdles 5-stepping, and did a couple long jump approaches.

44 Days to worlds, PDX Track Festival results

So, pretty happy with the meet yesterday, all things considered. First I high jumped 5-10 on my first attempt at that height. I had to stop the competition there to run the 400m, and it's just as well, because my neck is killing me today from landing on it in the pit. I have to strengthen my neck and remember to warm it up as much as possible before jumping, because I can't have a sore neck like this for the second day of a decathlon. I think 1.85m is in the cards with just a little more approach practice. The 400 was good enough, 56.06, considering I'm still coming off this hamstring injury and haven't been doing any speed work or intervals to speak of. I was in control, not too tired at the end, and I'm pretty sure I can run in the 54's in July. The good news is my leg survived intact and should be able to continue training tomorrow. Then I threw the shot 36-11 on my first throw, which was ok, but it really killed my shoulder. I'm at a loss on the shoulder, it just won't get better, and I don't think it will until I stop doing this stuff, so I just have to take the motrin and grit the dentures.

All in all, the marks are on pace for an American record in my age group if I can combine them with the other 7 events, so I feel good.

Leaving for Europe today for two weeks, I'll just be running a lot and doing throwing footwork, but hopefully I'll also be able to find some hurdles to go over.

55 Days to go

My running has been going well, the hamstring is almost 100%.   Yesterday I threw the shot back over 37 for the first time since I hurt my shoulder last fall, then did some long jump pop ups, then ran about 3.5miles.  Day before that, on Mon., I ran 4m in the morning, then in the afternoon I threw the discus, then ran 10x200 in 31-33.  The last was 28.5, more like sprinter form instead of middle distance form.  

Tomorrow I'll try vaulting again, then maybe I'll try hurdling on Friday.  Should be good to go as long as I work into it.  

I entered the National Masters Championships today, which are in Oshkosh Wi, on July 9 and 10.  It's about the only meet I can do before the worlds, so I decided to do it even though I don't really want to fly there because I have two trips to Europe this summer already.