. . . you've got to do something you've never done."
That saying came to me tonight as I was going over a conversation I had earlier today with one of my vaulters. The question of goals was raised, and this individual expressed to me the desire to continue to improve and PR.
The PR rules us vaulters to a certain extent. Its a measure of achievement. A way to objectively orient ourselves in our world of athletic challenge. A number has a kind of silencing, or satisfying effect on critics, both outside and the one within. Looking outside of ourselves at our competition, it's an easy way to identify and recognize certain traits in someone. Our need to live meaningful lives and our desire to achieve begs the question: "What is the measure of a man (or woman)?" Well, in the world of pole vaulting, it's the PR.
So, like my above mentioned vaulter, you may wonder now and again, how does someone go about PR'ing? On a very abstract level it can be simply stated that it's doing something you've never done. But as we drill deeper into this notion, particulars that could have meaning to you, the ambitious pole vaulter, begin to reveal themselves. How about:
- you've never been this focused at practice
- you've never watched so much video
- you've never lifted so much weight
- you've never run so much
- you've never eaten so well
- you've never done so many drills
- you've never taken this much care of your body
- you've never been this dedicated
- you've never worked this hard
I'm sure you can come up with your own points of focus that make sense to you, that motivate you to learn more about yourself, and what you're truly capable of.
I hope your enjoying the summer, the anticipation of the Games ahead, and looking forward to doing, and achieving things you've never done this coming season.