getting started in athletics

[Alan H]

You know what I think you ought to do, Geoff? If you're so certain that you ARE going to throw, then start a workout log, right now. RIGHT NOW...

Not "someday". Not "next year". Not "after you do a few more things". Now. NOW

You want to step on a competition field next season and see what you can do? Then call yourself a thrower NOW, start working towards your goal, LOG IT so that everybody can see the work you're doing, and so YOU can see the work you're doing, and get on with it.

Are you worried that you're not doing the ideal workout? I have news for you, there IS NO IDEAL WORKOUT.

There's just YOUR workout. so make the commitment. Sign on. Log it. We'll all know when you're slacking off, eh? Use that accountability as a tool to motivate yourself. But whatever you do, dear Lord Above...what EVER you do...

....do it NOW. Not "someday".

[Geoff Withnell]

Sheesh! OK, Alan, I got the message. Actually, I'm already doing most of what you and others) suggested. I do a 2 hour workout Sunday morning, and I skipped the machines and spent the time in the free weight room. My trainer and I went Sunday afternoon picked up a 15 lb sledge hammer (usually used for whacking old truck tires) and a 50 lb kettle bell, from her gym and played around a bit with hammer throw and weight over bar at the the local high school field. So I have started. But if I am going to enter a competition, I compete. So when I step on the field at the games, I will be ready. The Marine Corps motto may be Semper Fidelis, but the Boy Scouts and the Coast Guard have a good one as well Be Prepared/Semper Paratus.

I'm doing this for three reasons. 1. I need to shake up my workout a bit, I've been gtting in a rut. 2. so when some person curious about my kilt asks me if I'm "one of those crazy people who throw telephone poles" I can give an evil grin and reply "Yes". 3. And most importantly - for the pure h3ll and fun of it.

[Alan H]

Sheesh! OK, Alan, I got the message. Actually, I'm already doing most of what you and others) suggested. I do a 2 hour workout Sunday morning, and I skipped the machines and spent the time in the free weight room. My trainer and I went Sunday afternoon picked up a 15 lb sledge hammer (usually used for whacking old truck tires) and a 50 lb kettle bell, from her gym and played around a bit with hammer throw and weight over bar at the the local high school field. So I have started. But if I am going to enter a competition, I compete. So when I step on the field at the games, I will be ready. The Marine Corps motto may be Semper Fidelis, but the Boy Scouts and the Coast Guard have a good one as well Be Prepared/Semper Paratus.

I'm doing this for three reasons. 1. I need to shake up my workout a bit, I've been gtting in a rut. 2. so when some person curious about my kilt asks me if I'm "one of those crazy people who throw telephone poles" I can give an evil grin and reply "Yes". 3. And most importantly - for the pure h3ll and fun of it.

You do 50 pound kettlebell swings and throw a sledgehammer!!! Fer hevvin's sake, what is stopping you? Do you beat the snot out of a tire with that sledgehammer, too? Because that is a ()*#&%^ kick butt core workout. Ryan Vierra did that for years, probably still does do that.

Do you want to do your best when you get out on the field? Then I will tell you here and now, that *Especially* for the first couple of years, the best way to throw farther is to THROW. Not so sure about that? Ask o1d_dude.

Not lift weights. Not do plyometics. THROW. So if you want to be prepared.....start throwing.

I tell newbs do do about 4-5 practices and then sign up for a Games and go do it. 4-5 practices with us here at Stanford will allow the person to see all of the events at least twice, so that they can do them without the usual newb safety blunders. They'll be familiar enough with how the events feel, and the balance issues of chucking this stuff, so they're less likely to take a tumble. However, once that's under your belt, what the heck? What's stopping anybody from throwing? What...."I won't be throwing my best!" - "I'm not ready!" .... well DUH. It will take you 4-7 seasons to develop your technique to where you really have it down, and that's if you work at it really hard...couple of times a week. So...what? You shouldn't walk on the field until you know for certain you're at your lifetime peak?

If I had done that, I'd be starting to throw in theGames NOW... oh, wait. I had three personal records this season...nope, I'm still not at my peak, I'm not my VERY BEST, so I shouldn't be throwing in public, yet!

NOT.

If you're doing 50 pound kettlebell swings and chucking a sledgehammer, then it's time to get after it. And while you're at it, talk your fireplug trainer into giving it a shot, too. The Highland Games world needs more women, especially strong, competent women, and there is absolutely no reason, whatsoever, that she can't hurl a 14 pound weight into outer space.

[Alan H]

The other thing I would recommend, is getting yourself over to NASGA and putting a post up in the "newbie" forum about how you're looking for someone to train with in the DC area. You will learn faster, and safer if you do some workouts with someone who's pretty experienced in this stuff. You CAN do it all by yourself, but trust me...from someone who did that.....DON'T. Besides, they will have a bunch of the gear, and it's a pretty big investment, to go buy all that stuff. You can make some stuff yourself.....see the first post in the Athletics forum, but it's still an investment in time and money. Go use someone elses stuff, to get started.

[SonofAlba]

Hey thanks to everyone (especially Alan H.) for all the info and links. I am planning on participating in the Phoenix games at the beginning of next year. I also found it a bit difficult to find a lot of detailed info on training techniques etc. online and I do not have a membership to a gym (or necessary a lot of equipment) so I just started doing some kettlebell training, general plyometrics and exercises for shot put. I also found a rock that must weigh 35+ #s that I have been throwing in the backyard (grinning happily all the while but with little sense of form aside from what I've seen on youtube). These links + tips are really helpful to help me get a bit more specific in my training though so know that this information will be going to good use.

[Kiltedmedic]

Sorry, Alan H, I have been reading the posts and following up on some of them. Also been working alot of shifts. I do appreciate the tips.

[SonofAlba]

The Masons and Skull and Bones have nothing on Scottish games competitors when it comes to secrecy.

I know this was said in jest...still I think it really is true that it can be daunting to know where to start/train, obviously not because there is any secrecy, but just because well we aren't exactly talking about mainstream athletics here. I think this is looking to change a bit especially with the rising popularity of movements such as Crossfit or kettlebell fitness which seems to bridge into Highland Athletics easily.

[RogerWS76]

Here is a link to a concise little training video for each of the events. Only $25

http://toddandlyman.com/eisa/training.html

[Geoff Withnell]

Replies interspered:

You do 50 pound kettlebell swings and throw a sledgehammer!!! Fer hevvin's sake, what is stopping you? Do you beat the snot out of a tire with that sledgehammer, too? Because that is a ()*#&%^ kick butt core workout. Ryan Vierra did that for years, probably still does do that.

*****Of course I beat the snot out of a tire with a sledgehammer. It is indeed a great core and shoulder workout.

Do you want to do your best when you get out on the field? Then I will tell you here and now, that *Especially* for the first couple of years, the best way to throw farther is to THROW. Not so sure about that? Ask o1d_dude.

Not lift weights. Not do plyometics. THROW. So if you want to be prepared.....start throwing.

I tell newbs do do about 4-5 practices and then sign up for a Games and go do it. 4-5 practices with us here at Stanford will allow the person to see all of the events at least twice, so that they can do them without the usual newb safety blunders. They'll be familiar enough with how the events feel, and the balance issues of chucking this stuff, so they're less likely to take a tumble. However, once that's under your belt, what the heck? What's stopping anybody from throwing? What...."I won't be throwing my best!" - "I'm not ready!" .... well DUH. It will take you 4-7 seasons to develop your technique to where you really have it down, and that's if you work at it really hard...couple of times a week. So...what? You shouldn't walk on the field until you know for certain you're at your lifetime peak?

**** Heck, I'm 63, almost 64. I could be at my lifetime peak NOW! For several reasons, business and personal, I'm not getting to any more games this season. Next year, we are hoping to have Michele's tartan related business up and running, and going to Games will be a business necessity. Since I know d@mn all about sewing ladies clothes, I won't be doing much with the customer end of the business, which will leave me free to throw - and I will.

If I had done that, I'd be starting to throw in theGames NOW... oh, wait. I had three personal records this season...nope, I'm still not at my peak, I'm not my VERY BEST, so I shouldn't be throwing in public, yet!

NOT.

If you're doing 50 pound kettlebell swings and chucking a sledgehammer, then it's time to get after it. And while you're at it, talk your fireplug trainer into giving it a shot, too. The Highland Games world needs more women, especially strong, competent women, and there is absolutely no reason, whatsoever, that she can't hurl a 14 pound weight into outer space.
***** Yeah she probably can. 5'1" tall, a pebble or two under seven stone, and very little padding on muscle, bone and sinew. She is on a weight control plan to keep from LOSING weight (weird metabolism issue). When she swings a hammer at a tire, the swing starts at her ankles, and her whole body gets into it. I'll try to talk her into it. She is going to come to some of my games. She had no idea there were highland games in the States.

[Geoff Withnell]

Thanks for the link. I got signed up late last night, I introduce myself in the newbie forum tonight. Looks like a great site.

The other thing I would recommend, is getting yourself over to NASGA and putting a post up in the "newbie" forum about how you're looking for someone to train with in the DC area. You will learn faster, and safer if you do some workouts with someone who's pretty experienced in this stuff. You CAN do it all by yourself, but trust me...from someone who did that.....DON'T. Besides, they will have a bunch of the gear, and it's a pretty big investment, to go buy all that stuff. You can make some stuff yourself.....see the first post in the Athletics forum, but it's still an investment in time and money. Go use someone elses stuff, to get started.