Needless to say, I lost track of this blog and didn't keep up with it very well. But....I'm not surprised. After Track season really got underway, life was go go go go go. Now that the Fall is here and life hasn't slowed down at all...I figured I could at least TRY to update and write again.
So, let's rewind to March through June - HS Track Season was in full motion, and the kids that Collin coaches did awesome. Three state qualifiers (two boys, one girl, all seniors) and we had a great time down in Bloomington for the State Meet. I ran my first pole vault meet EVER in May after the person who was supposed to run the Boys' Conference Meet didn't show up. Talk about a nerve wracking experience!!! Luckily, I had observed Collin enough and been to enough meets to know more or less what my job was. Plus, I had really supportive parents and coaches behind me so it made everything a lot easier.
June through August - Summer seemed to fly by. I learned how to pole vault (sorta) and found out I really really enjoyed it. I am by no means a good vaulter, but with every jump session, I start to make improvements. I'll never be amazing, but it's a fun thing for Collin and I to do together every once in a while when he's feeling healthy enough to jump. July brought the annual Beach Vault which I have to admit was probably one of the most fun things I have done in quite some time. Collin and his coaching buddy, Joe, took four boys (Nathan, Nick, Griffin and Gerald) and two girls (Lilly and Lizzy) up to Grand Haven, Mich. to jump in the competition. Collin, myself, Joe and his wife Amy served as chaperones for the trip. We rented a townhouse not far from the beach and brought bikes with us so the kids could ride at their leisure. While we were up there, I became known as Mama Duck - which I absolutely love. Now, whenever I walk into practice, I'm almost always greeted with shouts of "Mama Duck!! Mama Duck!!! Quack quack quack". More than once it has made my day SO much better after a nightmare of a day at the office. August brought the State Fair Vault and the start of school. The kids showed well at the State Fair - perhaps not as well as they wanted - but still not bad!!!
September through October - The kids have settled into school and Pole Vault Elite is booming. Every Monday and Wednesday, Collin and Joe have a nice number of kids to work with. The weather has been holding out for the most part, so they've even managed to sneak in some great weekend practices. I cannot believe we are halfway through October already - but here we are. In just two short weeks, Pole Vault Elite will be hosting it's annual Halloween Vault! I am considerably more excited for it this year for two reasons: a) I know what to expect and don't feel socially awkward around the kids anymore and b) Collin and I have great costumes inspired from this past summer.
So - there you have it. A recap of the past....oh....eight months in a nutshell. Here's hoping it won't be another eight months before I can sit down and write again!
Until next time!!!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Next time, I'm taking the Diet Coke...
I am going to post a little out of order and talk about HSE's meet against North Central tonight. I have another post in the works, but it is far more in depth and needs more brain power than I am currently willing to use.
Tonight was the ladies outdoor season opener against North Central. Lucky for me, North Central is about five minutes from my apartment so I was able to drop by for the last few jumps on my way home from work. While the weather was kind of crappy, I was really happy I was able to stop and experience my first dual meet. The HSE ladies did well and were a joy to watch. I can't really say much for the North Central ladies, I only saw one of their girls jump. However, I can say that North Central needs to work on etiquette when it comes to pole vault and the runway. More than once when one of my boyfriend's senior girls was on the runway preparing for her jump, North Central girls walked in front of her. This is something you absolutely, positively do not do. My boyfriend yelled at the girls who committed the crime and jokingly (or maybe not so jokingly) encouraged his senior to run them over the next time they did it.
For as much as I don't know about pole vault, I do know basic etiquette and I even found myself getting peeved at the girls who were walking across the runway. The thought crossed my mind to pull my bitch card and tell the girls to stay put, but I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. After all, I am the coach's girlfriend...I have ZERO authority when it comes to these things. I am definitely not an expert at etiquette here, I'm still learning...but I find it annoying when individuals disrespect pole vault etiquette or even track etiquette in general.
Moral of the story: first outdoor meet was short but enjoyable and I discovered that I know an important part of etiquette and find myself wanting to do whatever it is I can to help these kids have the environment they need to jump their best.
One quick (funny) last note (especially for the ladies who were at the meet and know the background): I learned a valuable lesson about trying to open a water bottle while driving. Don't hold the bottle between your legs and don't use one hand. Having jeans that look (and feel) like you peed in them is really not fun. Next time, I'm taking the fountain Diet Coke from Subway.
Tonight was the ladies outdoor season opener against North Central. Lucky for me, North Central is about five minutes from my apartment so I was able to drop by for the last few jumps on my way home from work. While the weather was kind of crappy, I was really happy I was able to stop and experience my first dual meet. The HSE ladies did well and were a joy to watch. I can't really say much for the North Central ladies, I only saw one of their girls jump. However, I can say that North Central needs to work on etiquette when it comes to pole vault and the runway. More than once when one of my boyfriend's senior girls was on the runway preparing for her jump, North Central girls walked in front of her. This is something you absolutely, positively do not do. My boyfriend yelled at the girls who committed the crime and jokingly (or maybe not so jokingly) encouraged his senior to run them over the next time they did it.
For as much as I don't know about pole vault, I do know basic etiquette and I even found myself getting peeved at the girls who were walking across the runway. The thought crossed my mind to pull my bitch card and tell the girls to stay put, but I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. After all, I am the coach's girlfriend...I have ZERO authority when it comes to these things. I am definitely not an expert at etiquette here, I'm still learning...but I find it annoying when individuals disrespect pole vault etiquette or even track etiquette in general.
Moral of the story: first outdoor meet was short but enjoyable and I discovered that I know an important part of etiquette and find myself wanting to do whatever it is I can to help these kids have the environment they need to jump their best.
One quick (funny) last note (especially for the ladies who were at the meet and know the background): I learned a valuable lesson about trying to open a water bottle while driving. Don't hold the bottle between your legs and don't use one hand. Having jeans that look (and feel) like you peed in them is really not fun. Next time, I'm taking the fountain Diet Coke from Subway.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Pole Vault - A Culture of It's Own
I've always really enjoyed blogging and found it incredibly therapeutic while I was in DC and especially in my last semester at Butler. Now, as I've finally settled into life as a girlfriend and financial aid communications specialist, I am beginning a new adventure. This adventure is one of being a coach's girlfriend. But not just ANY coach, no, I am the girlfriend of a pole vault coach.
Until I met my boyfriend, I was oblivious to the sport. Seven months into our relationship, I realize that I am still learning about of the most technical, yet beautiful, sports known to man. In spite of a constant learning curve, I have quickly come to one vital conclusion. Pole vaulting is not just a sport. It is not just an event. It is a culture and a way of life.
My hope is that through this blog, not only will I have a place to rave (and rant) about pole vault and my adventures in being the significant other to one of the most dedicated coaches I have ever seen in my life, but also that I will have a means of sharing what I know - and what I learn - about this awesome culture and lifestyle.
Until I met my boyfriend, I was oblivious to the sport. Seven months into our relationship, I realize that I am still learning about of the most technical, yet beautiful, sports known to man. In spite of a constant learning curve, I have quickly come to one vital conclusion. Pole vaulting is not just a sport. It is not just an event. It is a culture and a way of life.
My hope is that through this blog, not only will I have a place to rave (and rant) about pole vault and my adventures in being the significant other to one of the most dedicated coaches I have ever seen in my life, but also that I will have a means of sharing what I know - and what I learn - about this awesome culture and lifestyle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)