July 2014 Vaulter Magazine

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FROM THE EDITOR

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Modern View on Pole Vault Mechanics

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Taking a Gap Year

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Philippe D’Encausse: The Man Behind the scenes of 6.16

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Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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No Man’s Land

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july 2014. issue 27 $12.95 elite issue

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Lacey Henderson

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Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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FROM THE EDITOR In the midst of all the summer fun, the fall is rapidly making its way here. This can be exciting for most, but it can also be a bit concerning some.

Figuring out who you are and where you want to be in life is not always easy- especially for those who have finished school and need to find a career path. If you have never heard of the “gap year” before, we have an article this month that will be very enlightening for you. Whether you know exactly where you are headed or are still not sure where life will take you, a “gap year” might be just what you need.

Don’t miss reading all about it, you won’t be sorry.

you won’t believe. She has beaten tremendous odds and overcome losing a leg as a very young girl to become a great vaulter. Henderson resides and goes to school in Colorado and has an upbeat personality that is even contagious in her written interview. There is no doubt this article will leave you ready to face whatever is going on in your own journey.

Another treat for us this month is an even more in-depth look behind the heights our featured athletes are reaching. They tell us in their interviews all the time that they do not reach their accomplishments alone, but we now have an article Bubba also chimes in dedicated only to what it’s on the issue of choices. like to coach one of the Summer doesn’t just leave us greats. Philippe D’Encausse, wondering about the future, coach to the amazing Renaud but about what we will do Lavillenie, is our pick- and right now. How many athletes with good reason. Please enjoy ask every year if they want to learning about D’Encausse’s take the summer off or keep models, training, techniques Poles of the World training? Probably quite a and more. This is your chance Record Holder 2014 few do this. For most, they to see how one of the greats might not want the training to does it and learn something stop, but they need to find out what to do to keep valuable to take with you in your own training. in shape. Well Mr. Sparks has a wonderful article, you should not miss, that could help you sort this Enjoy what is left of the summer. Keep reading as summer confusion out, no matter where you stand. we move into fall. We will have more enlightening and entertaining reading for you as usual. Thank This mid-summer issue also brings one of the you again for your time and we will see you very most inspiring stories we have ever featured. soon. Take care!

Editor Doug Bouma Lacey Henderson is a young vaulter with a story editor@thevaultermag.com

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Modern View

on Pole Vault Mechanics By: Roman Botcharnikov In the late 1950s, in transition from ridged to flexible poles, the focus on what maximizes the result in the pole vault was obscured by the fascination with flexible qualities of the pole.

Perhaps the first breakthrough in returning to the basics of the event development occurred in mid 1980s with the introduction of their method by Bubka/Petrov.

The core of the method could be understood through the basic recognition of the fact, that the height clearance in the pole vault depends on the amount of energy generated by the athlete in the event as a whole, consisting of the speed on the runway and the work on the pole in the off-the-ground phase, where about 75% of the energy required to clear record heights comes from the speed on the runway and 25% of energy comes from the work on the pole.

Roman Botcharnikov

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In 1991 we have introduce a concept of “continuous chain” that attempted to describe the mechanics behind this method, identifying “active” - energy contributing and “passive”non-energy contributing phases in the pole vault. We outlined the objective of maximizing “active” phases and minimizing “passive”

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phases in order to maximize the final energy output - height clearance.

Understandings this basic approach could lead to a stark realization and reevaluation of common understanding of the pole vault mechanics that is prevailing even today 30 years after introduction by Bubka/ Petrov of their method.

Armed with this new understanding, we can evaluate every element and each action during the performance of the event and determine objectives, usefulness and effectiveness of each element and action.

One common element of the event that is discussed and coached today is “pole drive”.

Let’s look closely on exactly what is happening during performance of this element.

“Driving” the pole is classically associated with a form of resisting, bending the pole with the bottom (left arm), with the aim to increase the bend of the pole and the objective to jump on or to move a bigger pole grip into the pit. If we evaluate this element from perspective of active/passive phase analysis, we have to clearly put “pole drive” into the

passive category. Surprised?

Don’t be! There is absolutely no additional energy added in to the system by performing the “pole drive”, whether it begins on the ground, in the absence of the “free takeoff”, or in the air, after takeoff has been completed.

What really happens during the “pole drive” is an artificial, excessive redistribution of energy generated during runup into the pole bend. What is the mechanism of this energy redistribution? For simplicity, let’s look at the “pole drive” post takeoff only.

When a vaulter leaves the ground, combination of the inertia and the pole resistance at the top hand grip creates a natural rotation of the body around the top hand grip. So, the slowing down or even stopping this natural rotation of the body by resisting with the bottom arm against the pole, redistributes the energy of this natural body rotation into the pole bend. The existing kinetic energy of the run up is redistributed into the pole bend, but no new energy is created or contributed to the system - potential height.

There advantages

are of

assumed the “pole

drive”, such as keeping the vaulter’s center of gravity lower by delaying the natural rotation of the body and in conventional understanding increasing penetration of the pole (pendulum) at the higher grip as well as actual increase of the bend of the pole by redistributing energy of the natural rotation (kinetic energy) of the body into the pole bend, which also, in the conventional sense, increases potential grip height on the pole by further shortening the chord of the pole.

We could discuss here pros and cons of this “pole drive”, grip increase scheme, but the objective of this introduction is to demonstrate that the “pole drive” does not contribute new, additional energy into the system - height clearance.

In addition we could demonstrate that the “pole drive” is a serious obstacle to maximizing height clearance and that there are more effective methods of increasing the potential grip height as well as contributing additional energy into the system height clearance. We have summarized these alternative methods in m640 pole vault model and presented the model at m640.com.

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MAGAZINE Don Gensler

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Michael Ramoska

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About a Taking a Gap Year The Gap Year has long been a staple of education in Europe.

This is the year between high school and college when students take time to travel, volunteer or pursue their education through experiences other than college. The term Gap Year has taken on a life of its own now that the practice has become popular in the United States!

What exactly is a Gap Year?

The Gap Year is a period of time between high school graduation and the start of college which allows a student to engage in activities that promote personal growth and empowerment. It is not designed to be a “break” from education, but rather it should be used to enhance a student’s education. Maybe you’re tired of the academic grind? Maybe you’re

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not sure why you’re going to college or what you’ll do when you get there? Maybe you yearn to explore far-away places or to dig deeper into a career that interests you? If this sounds like you, maybe you should consider taking a Gap Year.

A Gap Year can be taken at any age and does not have to be an entire year. The evolution of the Gap Year has seen a huge increase in available programs and experiences. The gap experience may involve travel, volunteer service, employment, internship, further study, or some combination of all of these. A Gap Year is NOT laying around the house, watching TV and eating chips on the couch while you wait for your shift to start at your local fast food restaurant.

Gail Reardon, who runs the Gap Year counseling firm Taking Off, says the term is a bit of a misnomer. “The name implies that students are taking a gap in their education, when really the gap is to fill in what they haven’t learned in school,” she says. “A Gap Year is about what happens after school, how you make decisions, how you figure out who you are, where you want to go, and how you need to get there. It’s about the skill set you need to live your life.”

If you are considering a Gap Year, I would recommend the following: A Gap Year should always be well planned IN ADVANCE. It should never be a last minute reaction to being declined by the college of your choice. If

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you decide during your junior year that you will take a year off before heading to college, spend your time researching programs and opportunities during your junior and senior years.

Complete the college admission process and then contact the college you plan to attend to ask that your admission be deferred for a semester or a year. Most colleges are very receptive to students who want to defer their admission. Taking a year off is actually more time consuming during your junior and senior years because you will apply and get accepted to college as well as research your gap opportunities.

Know the answers to these questions: What types of opportunities appeal to you? Do you want to travel abroad?

Learn a new language or improve your foreign language skills? Help others, either at home or abroad? Explore career interests? Challenge yourself in the outdoors? The Gap Year needs to be a meaningful experience for your personal growth.

How much structure do you want in your program?

Where do you want to be in the world? What kinds of things do you want to do? What is

Penny Hanson

your emergency plan if things get difficult?

Consider your budget! You need to budget carefully so that you are able to achieve your goals. Gap Year costs can be exorbitant! Talk with your par-

ents and determine a realistic budget for your family and then look for programs that fit within your financial parameters.

Almost all colleges will view a Gap Year positively if a student has used it well. If the Gap

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Year is structured and productive, it can provide students an opportunity to learn, mature and discover what inspires them; all valuable skills for college. If you make good use of the time and experience, it is possible that taking a Gap Year may make you a more desirable candidate for college.

Never enter into a Gap Year assuming that you will be admitted to a college that has rejected you, but you certainly can reapply when you have completed your program.

There are many different ways to structure the year between graduating from high school and entering college, but it is important that there be a plan and a direction, so that the time just doesn’t pass by and end up being wasted. I encourage you to attend a Gap Year fair and talk to representatives from various programs. Speak to your high school counselor about opportunities he or she may be familiar with. There a numer-

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ous books, websites and organizations that will provide Gap Year information as well.

I recommend these websites:

• www.usagapyearfairs.org

• www.interimprograms.com

• www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista • www.americangap.org

Stay focused on your goals, your budget and your desired outcomes as you research. And then have a great time!

Penny Hanson Hanson College Consultants 720-883-6800 penny@hansoncollegeaccess.com

Battle FOR the Underground

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Philippe D’Encausse: The Man Behind the scenes of 6.16 By: Shawn Francis Intro The other day I was watching a documentary on baseballs hit-king Pete Rose. There is one particular section where Pete Rose was talking about the moment he broke the Hit record that resonated with me.

He was talking about the wave of emotion that erupted over him once he stepped into a league of his own. An emotion so big that he broke down into tears on the field in front of everyone. The emotion wasn’t due to the realization that he finally had the record he has been longing for, he explained that the emotion came from remembering all the people who helped him get to where he is now. Everyone from his dad telling him to keep his eye on the ball, to his little league coaches,

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to family, friends, minor league coaches, trainers, major league coaches, teammates and everyone else to supported him along his journey. He then went on to mention that there was a whole team behind him to get to where he is now and its extremely unfortunate that they don’t get the credit they deserve. This article will attempt to give homage the coach behind the scenes of the world record holder Renaud Lavillenie and 6.16

In April 2014, Vaulter the Magazine had the privilege of sitting down with Renaud Lavillenie and his coach Philippe D’Encausse to discuss everything from technique and models to coaching and training. The majority of the questions came from you,

the readers and followers of Vaulter the Magazine!

Models

The first and most asked question was about the French modal vs the Petrov modal.

What modal does he follow?

What is the French modal?

How is it different from the Petrov modal? The answer was simple and elegant “There is no Model. Each vaulter has in individual model based on their unique strengths a weaknesses.” This simple yet effective idea is a constant theme throughout the rest of the interview. D’Encausse went on to reinforce that no athlete is the same, so you have to understand that what is good for one athlete my not be good for another. An example he gave

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Philippe and Renaud Training Day 2014 Olympic Training Center Chula Vista

was that in the last 15 years everyone tried to jump like Bubka. Bubka was strong, big, fast and gripped really high.

Because of this Bubka could use a narrower grip where an athlete who isn’t as strong but just as fast may benefit from a wider grip instead of landing back on the runway.

D’Encausses’ root principals seemed to resonate from simple physics! “We look at the flex of the poles and transfer of

energy. How can we put more energy in the pole so we can get more energy out of the pole.” If you know anything about my background, I did my thesis on Biomechanics and ground reaction forces of the pole vault. Hearing this explanation was like music to my ears. He then explained that there are excellent things about the Petrov modal but there isn’t only one way to be a high level athlete. He explained this in a story, “A few years ago

Petrov and I were at a track and field conference and a question came up about the Russian vs the French modal and what is better. We didn’t care haha since whatever helps the athlete jump higher. That’s what’s important, what’s best for the athlete.” D’Encausses Described.

Technique

Another popular question regarded technique. One

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reader asked the question “What kind of take-off do you strive for?” D’Encausses explained, “When talking about Renaud he never takes off under since his vault is based on speed and the jump right before the pole hits the back of the box. So you can say it’s like Petrov but it’s not the same, since the holding of the pole is different. Although, the goal is the same, getting the pole as high as you

can (moving the pole to vertical). The goal is to move the pole and flex the pole to have maximum energy.”

D’Encausse than goes on to clarify that while Renaud and Bubka are different athletes and have different vaults there are some similarities, for example “Lots of guys run into the pole where Bubka and Renaud jump into the take-off.” This keeps the vaulter from taking off under, In which D’Encausses described “If you jump under it won’t be easy to move poles or grip. That’s maybe the most important thing in the pole vault.”

Training

Renaud and Philippe Walking and Talking

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There have been rumors floating around the Renaud only pole vaults for his training and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The first cycle of training starts in October and ends in December.

During this time Renaud has 9

training sessions a week, he vaults twice a week and lifts weights 3 times. The weight training focuses on the posterior chain (the back side of your body, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, erector spinae muscle group, trapezius, posterior deltoids, and so on).

The running and speed focus in on cycling exercises, or trying to run fast without expanding a lot of energy. Interestingly D’Encausses implements some high hurdle training since he says it helps develop a running rhythm which can aid in the pole vault run. Training also includes long jump training since the pole vault and long jump take-off are related.

Renaud has run 14.51 in the hurdles and long jumped 7.37 meters or 24’2!

Vaulting progressions are planned where earlier in the year the volume is high and the intensity is low or they jump more from a shorter run and work back to a longer run as the season progresses. In October he has Renaud jump from 2 steps progressing to 4 steps in November. He doesn’t jump in spikes until mid-December where they get back to 14-16 steps.

D’Encausses states that they never do more than 16 steps in a practice “You don’t need

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Renaud Lavillenie

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too much practice for full approach (20 steps) since 16 to 20 isn’t difficult.”

The most interesting answer in my opinion came from this question “What one thing do you need to work on to take vaulting to the next level?” His answer was quick, “We work on everything.

Everything is important, when you focus on one thing you lose sight of everything else”. With so many variables in the pole vault I think this hits the nail on the head.

Coaching

The coaching section was very interesting to me being an elite vaulter and a pole vault coach. The first question: From coaching standpoint how to approach each vaulter. What should be similar and what should be different?

Again, his answers were simple.

1. Always look at the good quality of the vaulter! Focus on the positive main qualities. First, how can you make the good qualities better? 2nd you look at the rest. For example: Renaud is really fast. So if we stop working on speed to work on a weakness than he will not be fast anymore and only jump 5.80 (19’1)

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2. The most important thing is technique. It’s always easier learning the technique right the first time than trying to relearn down the road.

3. Don’t try to change the vaulter just because they don’t have the quality you’re looking for. Just try to work with their strengths.

4. Asking the new guy if he has problems (injury related).

The best athlete is the healthy one. So don’t put people in a category.

You can see that the emphasis is on nurturing and recognizing the strengths of individual athletes. Ten year ago someone else may have looked at Renaud and thought he was too small to be a pole vaulter and we wouldn’t have the hero we have today.

Coaching mental toughness

The second part of the coaching question was on mental training and mental toughness. It was stated over and over again that the mind is the most important ingredient of pole vaulting and sport. “There’s a lot of talent out there, 18 year old kids jumping 5.60 but if it’s broken up top it’s going to be broken everywhere else” said

D’Encausses. “Your training must be oriented in always working to be confident.

Don’t try to do things you’re not capable of doing at the moment”.

At this point you might be asking yourself how do you

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Renaud Lavillenie hurdle training

do this? If you look back to the training outline there is a progressive build from general to specific or easy to difficult.

Vaulting from 2 steps on smaller poles is much easier than vaulting from 18 steps on massive poles. “We jump with

a progressive runway, 2-4-6 steps. Your goal should be to try to take a bigger pole and make it work. I’ll take this pole and work with this pole and try to take a bigger pole the next session. I think you build confidence this way” -D’Encausses.

D’Encausses ended the mental training question with this “If you’re in a hurry, you want to jump high, it won’t work. It’s like putting a window on the house before the foundation in laid. Be patient and work on the problem area

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???

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vs trying to skip step 5 and go to 6. I see the same thing with health, If you want to take a big grip and a big pole and you’re body isn’t ready for it the same problems happen.”

I hope everyone reading this article found the interview as intriguing as I did. A few things really stood out to me.

The first thing is that Philippe D’Encausse seems to have the same outlook on pole vault and training as Bruce Lee did for martial arts. Both looked at every student or athlete with fresh eyes or as a blank canvas. They looked at the strengths of their athletes and shaped the training around that vs forcing every athlete into the same box. This simple idea was an ingredient in every answer given from training to modals. Secondly, there is a Bruce Lee quote I put in my vault journal at the beginning of every season “Be happy but never satisfied”. The last questing Vaulter Mag asked was how life has changed since the world record. D’Encausse was quoted “After Reno we didn’t have the best result 5.75-5.80 but I was sure it would come.

After that he jumped 6.04, 6.08. The the next meeting was Dontesk and I was sure it would happen. So after it happened I was happy but I wasn’t that surprised.”

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Just like anyone reading this article, I’ve watched that 6.16 jump over 100 times and I’m blown away every time by the surprise on Renaud’s face and the incredible calmness of D’Encausse. I always think about what must have been

going on in the back of Renauds mind as he finally reached the prestigious goal of 6.16 and then I see D’Encausse with nothing but a smile knowing there are even higher bars to come.

Philippe D’encausse working the standards

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE Jon Stoll

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Dan Cassidy

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Playing the Hand You Are Dealt By: Penny Hanson

One day last August, I showed up at Above the Bar Track Club in Boulder to pole vault. I had only been vaulting for about a month and the practice I had had a few days before had gone very badly.

I had tweaked my back a bit and crashed into the box. When I showed up that next day, I had decided that I would give pole vaulting one more try. If things didn’t go well that day, I was done.

Lacey Henderson

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As I was warming up and feeling down about life, I saw a girl come walking across the parking lot with her gym bag. She had on sweatpants and seemed to be about 22 years old. She sat down in a chair near me and took off her pants, revealing a prosthetic right leg. As I watched, she removed the leg and attached a blade prosthesis that she had in her bag. Then she started to warm up, jogging up and down the runway. To my amazement, this girl picked up

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Lacey Henderson

a pole and vaulted with the rest of us! Sometimes her leg would catch in the edge of the pit and she would laugh when she tumbled into the pit, but all in all she was a really decent vaulter. Watching her, I decided that if this girl could show up and vault with her prosthetic leg, I certainly could commit to learning this difficult sport. I smacked myself for being such a wuss and never looked back.

The amazing woman who showed up that day is Lacey Henderson.

Lacey Henderson was just nine years old when her leg

was amputated above the knee in a lifesaving measure after the diagnosis of a rare soft tissue tumor in her knee.

It was a tough time for a young girl, but Lacey’s focus wasn’t on the negative. Instead, she was raised with the mindset that if you want something you’ll find a way to make it happen – no matter the odds against you. And she has done just that!

When Lacey is not traveling the world, she lives in Denver, Colorado.

Last month, I interviewed her for this article.

I will let her speak for herself:

How old were you when you lost your leg?

I was 9, just a month before my 10th birthday.

How has your family encouraged you?

My family has been phenomenal in my development, not only as an athlete but as a whole and complete person. They NEVER set any limitations on me while I was on chemo or even They after my amputation. knew if there was anything I wanted to achieve that I would

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be able to do it. They always gave my brother and I the understanding that hard work does really pay off, and that life isn’t ever going to be fair or easy but you just have to look at the hand your dealt and play the best you can.

Where did you go to college?

I went to the University of Denver (Division 1) where I had an athletic scholarship for cheerleading.

How did you choose your college?

Honestly, at the time staying close to the guy who makes my leg, Chris Hoyt, was a huge priority. I knew I was going to continue in sports so he was a huge reason why I wanted to stay close. I had applied and gotten into a few schools in Boston but I just knew he was the best!

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drills while walking down the street together.

Why did you choose track and field?

Track has always been a huge part of my life with my dad having gone to Olympic Trials for Pole Vault out of college, his two-time National Masters Decathlon title and coaching for forever... he even named my brother “Trax” and my middle name is “Fields” so it has just always been around.

After losing my leg, we assumed track was out of the picture so I did a TON of other sports. I ended up doing competitive cheerleading through high school and into college. Right before I graduated college was where I found out about running legs and consequently the Paralympics and made a triumphant return to track after not running AT ALL for 12 years!

Have you always been an athlete?

Why did you decide to begin pole vaulting?

Growing up Definitely. with coaches for parents, my brother and I always had to be outside and doing something active. My dad would make competitions out of everything from handstand walks to “hop, skip, jump”

Honestly, I started Vaulting on a bet. One evening after my parents threw a Labor Day party, I decided to teach my dad how to play Beer Pong. We both are SUPER competitive, so we were talking a lot of trash about who was a better athlete

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from me versus him. He bet me because of my leg I wouldn’t be able to pole vault 2 Feet! I gladly accepted the challenge and the rest is kind of history.

Describe a funny moment you have had in your athletic experience.

One of my coaches’ favorite story to tell is when I first started vaulting, I didn’t have a running leg yet, so I used an old “hoopty” I could beat up and somehow while I was turning in the air, my leg managed to come right off! I just watched it fall down to the pit with me in disbelief.

In 10 years of gymnastics and cheerleading, that NEVER had ever happened to me. I am pretty sure it was shocking for everyone watching too.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

So far, being able to represent my country on an international platform has been absolutely incredible. I finished 4th in Long Jump and 5th in the 100m at the 2013 World Championships which was a phenomenal experience but just the fact of being able to compete with USA on my uniform in places like the Australian Institute of Sport

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Lacey Henderson

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and the London Olympic Stadium have been absolutely surreal.

Describe a frustrating moment you have had in your athletic career or just life in general.

I think the times where you plateau or even dip as an athlete can be extremely frustrating.

Being injured or even changing coaches and training cycles can cause anyone to feel like they are going backwards in their careers and I have changed a lot this year which has been challenging, definitely, but I trust my coach and I trust the process we are following going into Rio.

Paralympic athletes in the way that they should be, and I’m honored and blessed to be a part of the movement.

As you can see from her pictures, Lacey Henderson is an inspiration and an excellent role model to track and field athletes young and old.

You can follow Lacey on Facebook. It has been my pleasure to meet Lacey and I look forward to following her blossoming career.

What is the biggest misconception that people have about amputees?

I think the biggest misconception people have for amputees is that we are somehow emotionally “stronger” or “braver” than other people because we can accomplish the same daily tasks as anyone else. The word “inspiration” is overused in my opinion and should be replaced with the word “empowered.” We have bills to pay and things to do just like everyone else; we just have different tools to help us take care of them!

How did you come to be a spokesperson for Paralympics?

I am a global ambassador for a worldwide healthcare company called Ottobock, and they are a main sponsor for ANYTHING Paralympic.

There is a huge misunderstanding, especially in the United States that associates Paralympics with the Special Olympics. Although both organizations are hugely important, they are in no way related to each other. The reason why it’s called “Paralympics” comes from the word “parallel” with the intention of it being parallel to the Olympics. There are more athletes, especially after Sochi, coming out and representing

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Lacey Henderson

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE Lacey Henderson

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JUly 2014 issue

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE David Angel

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Phil Koestoer Bisson

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE

No Man’s Land

By: Bubba Sparks

Here we go again asking ourselves where we stand right now. Is this season over? Am I going to take a break? Do you have a couple of meets left? For some of us this decision was easy. If you got injured maybe the decision was made for you.

In any case it’s a decision that needs to be made decisively. Don’t drag along the summer unproductive and guessing when you should stop.

Personally, I like for there to be a set date for each kid that we are stopping. Maybe after the last meet you were eliminated from. I recommend a minimum of two weeks completely away from vaulting or any familiar training. Have fun and get out of this routine. Maybe you decide you want 3-4 weeks to travel or lay around the beach.

Whatever you decide, please stay completely away so that when you are ready to come back, that you can’t wait to get started.

To my surprise 12 of my kids showed up on June 12, to our first practice for next year. They

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took their break and were ready to go. I explained our plan and why this methodology works and they were excited to begin the journey. Armed with the knowledge that right now they have the opportunity to move ahead while other’s rest, these kids understand that at this point they can take their time and overhaul their vault.

In the next issue, I will go over our plans and goals, but for now I offer these guidelines that have always proven helpful to me.

• get entirely away from the sport for 2-4 weeks.

• if you must exercise then do something fun.

• stay away from any routines you used during this season.

• start evaluating and trying out some components you think you may want to use for next year.

• start to review your year for what worked, didn’t work, things you want to accomplish and mistakes you want to avoid.

I believe you will find this time away a nice transition from one year to the next and come back fresh and excited. Enjoy and have a wonderful summer. Congrats on all of your progress and success this year. I want to especially thank those who have shared their Bubba Sparks journey with us through email or Facebook.

I love becoming personally invested in watching your progress. Here’s to a 2015 that exceeds your wildest dreams!

Bubba

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VAULTER

MAGAZINE Hannah Durbin

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www.thevaultermag.com Sondre Guttormsen

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VAULTER

Elite Edition

VAULTER

your source for pole vaulting News and information

MAGAZINE

july 2014. issue 27 $12.95 elite issue

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Lacey Henderson

Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

$12.95 JUL 2014

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