LIFESTYLE INJURIES


This has everything to do with mindset.

Highland Athletes have to be BIG, right? That means "pack on some weight" because that 56/42 pounder is *Heavy* and mass moves mass, right? Well...right, except that packing on extra weight for 25 years can give you heart disease. So be sensible about this.

There are guys out there who wear their surgeries like a badge of honor. "I've had six knee surgeries and I'm still throwing!" .... Don't fall into this. It's a LOT better to take care of yourself so you don't need those surgeries in the first place. It's also wise to realize when it's time to be DONE...... is throwing one more season in your late 40's worth giving up the ability to go hiking with your grandchildren when you're 65? I sure don't think so.

Mostly, just understand that we do this for fun. I had a discussion with a number of the Pro's at Pleasanton two years ago, where we talked about how Highland Games is what we DO, but it's not who we ARE. these guys love to throw. They LOVE it, and it's fun for them. But they all know that they have families to live for, a God that they believe in, and other things which are more important than how far they can throw a hammer.

Don't ever get so involved that you lose sight of the rest of your life. Like my friend Kelly Niklasen said.... "We're throwing rocks and sticks! GET OVER IT!"

Highland Games...and weight training and all of it is PART of your life, but should not be ALL of your life. It's a great community of people, and even if you can't throw at all, or if you should really back way off on the training and only throw 2-3 times a season you can still be involved in lots of ways. Trust me, we ALWAYS need judges. We ALWAYS need someone in the tent, someone to help out with the trigs, someone to start up a new Games with a new Club. New throwers need mentors and coaches....you can be involved for 40 years if you want to. You'll come to find out that the men and women who make it happen, who give back to the sport get just as much respect as the guy winning the World Championship, or turning that 140 pound caber in front of the crowd.