New record-holder Sue McDonald mulls her first masters nationals

Sue and kids.

Sue and kids.

Sue McDonald turned 50 on March 29, so she was tanned, rested and ready for her HJ record quest less than three months later. In a quickie Q&A, she graciously shared details of her day at the Olympic Training Center southeast of San Diego: “I opened at 1.51, made that first attempt.  Went straight to 1.56, made that second attempt and then missed all three at the WR 1.61 (5-3 1/4). This is from my recollections… I can confirm this was my progression when I get home and look at the official sheet.” How did she celebrate the American record? “The rest of my family was visiting relatives for a family reunion in San Diego so I joined up with them and we all celebrated together.”

Here’s the rest of our virtual chat:

Masterstrack.com: How do you train for HJ (besides being a fitness professional)?

Sue McDonald: My strength training is deigned by Peter Blumert of Prevail Conditioning located in Santa Barbara.  I meet with Peter a few times per month to go over my new programs and then did the bulk of my actual training at Goleta Valley Athletic Club.  

In the HJ I am coached by Josh Priester, former associate head coach at UCSB who is now the founder of the Women’s Athletic Performance Foundation — a nonprofit that supports and trains female heptathletes at Westmont College.  See www.wapf.us. I high jump once per week with Josh at Westmont and I lift 3 days per week specifically for high jump and I lift another 3 days per week for my training for 2 physique competitions I have this year — the Body Beast Classic Competition, a physique competition in which people who have completed 90 days of a body building type home fitness workout that I sell.  

The comp is June 18-19 in Las Vegas. So I have been doing all the upper body workouts according to the Body Beast program and working on eating clean!

What are your plans the rest of the summer jump-wise?

I am playing around with the idea of going to masters nationals. I have never been to one.  The problem is time away from our coffee shop that I run, From personal training clients and husband and kids.  Would love to go, though!  I am competing in a masters meet on Father’s Day this weekend (at Caltech) and then I actually will need to find some meets for my summer schedule (any suggestions?)

Are you still vaulting?

No, I am not vaulting anymore.  I vaulted for a bit after the 1996 Olympic Trials but then stopped in ’99.  I attempted to make the OT in 2000 in the HJ but was unsuccessful.  I might go back to the vault at some point.  We have a few masters who are active in the vault here in SB.

What does breaking a Raschker record mean to you?  

Breaking a Raschker record means a lot to me.  She is such a gifted athlete who has accomplished so much in our sport.  For a record to stand for 16 years is pretty amazing.  I am realizing how difficult it is to compete at my age with 2 kids under the age of 10 and one in college while running a business with 14 employees and two other businesses. It is challenging!

Did folks at the OTC know you were trying for a record?  How many witnesses?  Was it announced?

I told the HJ official, and once I did it of course they brought over additional officials and the director involved.  But I did not email them ahead of time to let them know I was close.  I had had two other attempts at it this season after I turned 50 March 29.  It might have been announced but I did not hear it.  I was busy making sure I crossed my T’s and dotted my I’s.

Sue wonders about masters meets this summer. Anyone want to suggest some?

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June 16, 2013

7 Responses

  1. Matt McCubbins - June 16, 2013

    Sue, congrats on your AR! I think we’d all love to see you jump at Nationals if possible. I’m in the Midwest, so I am not too familiar with other meet opportunities in your part of the world. Maybe Peter Hlavin will weigh-in with some suggestions – he just recently tied the M55 AR at CalTech and would surely know the best venues/meets in So-Cal.

    You probably already realize this, but for what it’s worth if I were in your spikes and wanted to optimize my chance at a big clearance, I would target 1) national level masters meets and 2) well-attended local all-comer type meets that are recognized by USATF. After 3 seasons of masters jumping, I have consistently had my best results at the bigger meets where the competition has pushed me and/or there were enough spectators to bring some energy to the situation. My worst results have always been at small masters meets where there was weak (or no) competition and no one watching. Those situations just feel like practice and you get very little adrenaline assistance.

    My masters PR (so far) came at a big all-comers meet in Chicago last December where I was jumping against high school and college kids. The building was loud and raucous (indoors) and full of energy.

    Anyway, just my .02 – good luck this summer and hope to see you in Olathe!

  2. Nolan Shaheed - June 16, 2013

    Good info is a-comin

  3. Jeff Davison - June 16, 2013

    June 16 Masters West Region Championships (Pasadena) she broke her own AR. Results on the SCA USATF website in a couple of days.

    Day-one results June 15 are already posted.

  4. Mark Cleary - June 17, 2013

    Jeff, results are posted right now!

  5. Chuck and Carla Greene - July 3, 2013

    Congratulations on your AR High-Jump!
    We very much enjoyed the photograph of your family; your sons are very proud of their Mom.

    Chuck and Carla Greene

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