I am using these great images from the 2015 National Senior Games (NSG) to inspire me as I head out this afternoon for our state version of the NSG event, the 2015 Georgia Senior Olympics -- held in Macon, Georgia. Every other year senior athletes compete at the state level to qualify for the national event. Since the next national event is 2017, this is actually not a qualifying year, but it's good to tie up the spikes and get yourself over the bar at these state-level meets. Practice makes perfect and it's hard for a high jumper to find a place to practice. Looking at photos is very important for high jumpers. Our approach and ultimate jump over the bar is so complicated. We have about 14 points to hit during the 10-seconds it takes to attempt to clear the bar. We can learn so much by looking at our run up, our take off point, our form and then our drape over the bar. Photographers at these masters games are invaluable to us, even better than coaches in some cases. Thanks to my husband for taking video after video for me to learn from, and to the professional photographer guys and gals for covering these events and getting pictures to us. Tomorrow's event should wrap up my 2015 outdoor competitive season. I could travel to one more meet in Florida in December, but we'll see what the family schedule it like. They come first.
As the season ends, it was nice to read these flattering comments, below, in the U.S. National Masters News 2015 September edition. It reminded me that you can actually call yourself, "The 2015 National Champion" (cue the loudspeaker voice) if you win the USATF Masters Nationals, like I did in Jacksonville this year. So, that's cool, and yes, a bit of a giggle. Here's to a good Georgia Senior Olympics! I am hoping to jump well, with no injuries, and come home with some metal. (Yes, I wrote that, "metal.") Thanks for following my journey. See you back here soon.
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AuthorJulia Curran-Villarreal is a three-time USA W55 national masters high jump champion. After a 35-year break from her favorite high school sport of track & field, Julia returned to competition in 2013 at the age of 53. Follow her journey on @juliajumping on Instagram and @juliacurran on Twitter. Archives
August 2019
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