Bubba Sparks starts blog on plans to fly high Down Under
The World Masters Games in Sydney in mid-October are attracting some top-notch USA masters besides Bill Collins. One is Doug “Bubba” Sparks, the M55 Texas vaulter. Web-savvy for years (he started a Web site not long after I did), Bubba now has a blog about his Aussie Odyssey. “I have some pretty good Ozzie connections but this will be my first trip there,” Bubba wrote yesterday. “In 1992, after their housing connections fell out, two Australian Olympic pole vaulters, Simon Arkell and Adam Steinhardt, lived and trained with us for the last three months before they went to the 1992 Olympic Games. In 1996, Simon came back and trained with us again before the Atlanta Olympics. He is still a great friend to this day.” And that’s what it’s all about. Good on you, Bubba.
Bubba was colorful while vaulting at Oshkosh nationals last month.
In his first entry August 14, Bubba wrote:
Why a blog? As a 56 year old athlete we train for events like boxers train for fights. I have just over eight weeks left before the event. Frankly I’m hoping this will keep me sane and entertained as the stress mounts and the time gets closer. I’ve found in the past that letting others in on the behind the scenes stuff did just that.
In 1996 I spent five weeks in Atlanta with the Olympic pole vaulters and then in 1997 I went to the World Masters “Athletics” (what the rest of the world calls Track & Field) in South Africa. Both times I chronicled my journeys and it was fun. Why should this time be any different?
Reality – Let’s start with the fact that on July 11, I was slightly injured at our USA Track & Field Outdoor Masters Championships in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I stopped during the competition to avoid further injury yet still got 3rd and the bronze medal. I thought I would easily be healed by August 8th when I would compete at the National Senior Games in Pal Alto, California, but I was not cautious enough and had to watch the meet as a spectator. Now eight weeks out from Sydney I’m scared to death about every move I will make in training as I cannot afford any further setbacks or miscalculations. This is not an inexpensive trip and my performance must be dead on if there will be any hope to win a medal. Heck, it costs nearly $1,000 just to get my poles there. . . .
Tomorrow will be my first training session following my forced vacation as a spectator at the National Senior Games. I’ve got that sting reminding me not to be stupid. I plan to report my progress (or lack of), rationale and even my frustrations as I prepare for the biggest competition of my life. Thanks in advance for your support and coming along for the ride.
2 Responses
WOW! Thanks Ken. It’s mainly to keep me sane and to keep my non-vaulter family and friends in the loop. Of courseI will post from the event as well. Thanks again! Bubba
hi bubba..go get em in aussie land.. soar high my friend.. stay healthy..
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