Indoor World Record Only Step One of High 2016 Expectations

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom

Last weekend, Jenn Suhr scored an early birthday present. Six days before turning 34, the reigning Olympic pole vault champion set a world indoor record, clearing 5.03 meters (16 feet, 6 inches) in upstate New York. Flying higher than ever before at an age most pro athletes are contemplating retirement, the former basketball player is looking forward to another assault on the record soon.

"When you're healthy and able to work on things and you're able to just execute in your event, in the pole vault you just tend to get better at it," said Suhr, speaking to reporters via conference call on Tuesday. 

Though a veteran on the athletics circuit for more than a decade, Suhr credits her recent success in part to a refreshed and renewed mindset. So far this winter, Suhr has avoided injury, illness, and inclement weather, all of which have hampered her at points over the past two years. As a result of the positive training base, a resolute confidence has built up for the two-time Olympic medalist, assuring her that heights once unheard of are now within her reach.

"I'm not surprised at all [that I got the world record]," Suhr began. "I knew going into December that I was in good shape, and I knew just what was happening in practice that things were working out well. Once my mind caught up with what my body was doing, [husband and coach] Rick [Suhr] kept saying 'You can break it, you can break it.' I wasn't yet thinking I could. Once my mind caught up with what my body was doing in my workouts and practices, it just had to happen in a meet. I knew it was possible."

After two years of ups and downs, Suhr has returned to the simple mindset she sported a decade ago. Back in 2005, when Suhr claimed her first US Indoor title in Boston at the age of 23, she was new to the pole vaulting scene. Back then, social media was in its infant stages, distractions were minimal, and she had yet to strike it big.

Guided by Rick, Jenn Suhr has plotted the course to her Olympic title defense. She is making sure that training is intense yet enjoyable, especially now that she is mentoring a local 14-year-old vaulter named Erica Ellis. Ellis has helped Suhr stay motivated, all the while having fun in practice.

"It's definitely revitalized me and brought a new breath of fresh air into the building," she said. "It's a level that is just enjoyable and brings the spirit back into the sport."

Entering last Saturday's meet in Brockport, N.Y., Suhr knew that her own world record of 5.02m could be broken. Even though the field she was facing was made up of mostly Division III college athletes, Suhr approached each attempt with a sharp focus on detail.

"The biggest thing I noticed was her composure. Even when she had misses, both at her opening height and at the world record, she seemed completely calm," said Alex Rechen, a senior at Ithaca College who cleared 3.61m and placed third behind Suhr and Janice Keppler (4.15m). "From my perspective, she was very good at remaining in the present and not allowing what happened in the past affect her next jump. This is something I struggle with as an athlete, so it was cool to see it executed so well."

Surpassing 16 feet, 6 inches, Suhr was ecstatic: not only did she clear a new world record, but she did so in her home state, in front of a packed crowd of mostly enthusiastic college students, and in front of the next generation of vaulters. A far cry from a World Championships or Olympic venue, Brockport's Special Events & Recreation Center only has a maximum capacity of 5,500 spectators. When she set the record, most in attendance were athletes who'd competed that day, making the mark feel that much more personable. 

"At the bigger meets you have a different adrenaline going, and you learn how to channel all of that pressure and everything into adrenaline there. At this meet I had the adrenaline of the crowd of people cheering me on right there," she said. "

That was special to me."

Following the record-setting jump, Suhr estimates she didn't sit down for more than an hour. Savoring the moment and rewarding her dedicated supporters, Suhr signed countless autographs and posed for hundreds of pictures. The outpouring on social media --especially from those watching live in the arena-- was overwhelming.

"This one was packed," Suhr began. "Pictures and autographs and college athletes coming up to me. Recruits, people who were being recruited from other colleges were there watching me. It really was, honestly, just an inspiring thing for me to see. And then to see on social media how excited people were for it and how glad they were to be a part of it, that's special to me."

The moment made an impact on Rechen, the aforementioned Ithaca College student-athlete who was an All-American indoors last year, finishing sixth at the NCAA Division III Championships as a junior. With Suhr competing, Rechen seized the moment to raise her game with her vaulting idol alongside.

"It was incredible to not only be in attendance at a World Record, but to compete in it," said Rechen, thus far ranked 14th in Division III. "I have been running through more often than I usually do and certainly much more often than I like to, but when I was on the runway competing I thought to myself, 'You don't want Jenn Suhr to see you run through, do you?'  I guess that helped me a little bit... It worked for me a little in this situation!"

Speaking with reporters, a laser focused tone was audible in Suhr's voice. As of right now, she is bypassing the 2016 USA Indoor and IAAF World Indoor Championships, simply due to the fact that both pole vault competitions are within four days of one another. All eyes are on Rio, where she looks to join Russian legend Yelena Isinbaeva as the only two-time Women's Olympic Pole Vault champion.

Having set world records, won medals at the Olympics and World Championships, and become the leading figure in women's pole vaulting, Suhr still takes pleasure in the little things the sport has to offer. But nothing tops the relief and jubilation of a lifetime best clearance.

On Sunday, February 14, Suhr will vault in Boston at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, joining a star-studded lineup of athletes set to take part in the meet, including Trayvon Bromell, Meseret Defar, and Jenna Prandini. When asked what she'll be working on in particular, Suhr hesitated before handing the question off to her husband.

"To jump higher" piped Rick, without any hesitation. Heights in excess of 5.03m are what both Suhrs are looking for.

"I won't be surprised. I expect to," added Jenn, again speaking with confidence.

Always known as a supreme competitor, Suhr is attacking the pole vault with a vengeance. Tuning out all distractions, she understands the ultimate task at hand is to keep flying high all the way to the top of the medal stand in Rio de Janeiro.

"Right now, I'm sticking to the plan, and the plan is to jump as high as I can because I'm capable of it right now and I'm healthy," she said. "Right now, it is working."