Unread postby PVDaddy » Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:38 pm
The reference to the post required the reader and myself to go over two full pages of negativity (to find the link), that has kept me from posting on this site for three years. It had very little to do with the use of the bottom arm after the Whip. Even though I had some perhaps misgivings, or misunderstandings, about Altius and other Elite vauters motivation at the time, and may have responded inappropriately, I always tried to be open minded and learn what I could from them. I had to respect them for their years of experience and achievement. I know what it means to dedicate your life to a sport. I in fact swallowed my pride and purchased Altius Book and video and was glad I did! He actually seems like a very likable fellow. My son is now Vaulting in college and it has inspired me to come back to this site and learn more.
Most of what I have learned about pole vaulting, I have learned on this site, from others, who have so much more real world experience and knowledge, then myself! I understand that I am a Pole Vaulting Nobody. I do not say that to be self-deprecating. It's just the truth. I have not been the one in the pit, grinding it out day after day, year after year, like so many of you Elite (I say that with the out most respect!) and coaches have. Truthfully, I am not even worthy to be posting on this advanced site with you. I must admit that I am taking advantage of a very true piece of advice, I got from a very good friend, many years ago. He said; "that if you want to be the best, you must hang out with the best!" I am here to learn and hopefully have at least one thing, along the way, to give back?
The real credit always belongs to the man in the Pit. Trust me I fully understand this, and have, for 30 years now, in Wrestling,
been the man in the pit, sometime I feel to much, and sometime it feels more than I can bare, from unmotivated athletes or their unappreciative parents looking to place blame, for the failure of their children to perform. This very rarely comes from the motivated athletes who are performing, or from their parents, because they understand that their success depends mostly on themselves, and their desire to improve, inch by inch. They work so very hard, through their blood, sweat and tears and I have been their too, I understand how very hard it is, and it is only that athlete, that keeps me coaching to this very day. The following, quote, by President Theodore Roosevelt, titled , The Credit belongs to the man in the Arena, is perhaps my favorite of all time.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
It has been far to long, since anyone has pole vaulted like Bubka. I'm here to try to discover why that is? I will probably make mistakes along the way ,and probably have to make correction, and be open to correction. I will be. I hope their input is genuine, and not, an intentional distraction. In the end though, this Agenda will have to be my own. The one my Research, intellect, gut, and experience, tells me is correct. Take it for what it is, Just my collective opinion. Hopefully history will decide, I was on to something of value? If not, at least I failed while daring greatly.
Every jot and every tittle adds up to more than just a little.
I owe you a cold one. 
