Could it be---I may be finished????

[ForresterModern]

D-pete

All good things must come to an end, and from the laundry list of injuries and surgeries it is not surprising you are feeling the end in the offing. That does not mean you cannot exercise and stay in shape and remain active, only that you can't keep putting the degree of stress on your body that you have the last few years.

I know where you have been and are now. Between 4 major orthopedic surgeries in 8 years, along with two other surgeries for other illnesses, I still suffer from the results of a previous ACL tear and repair, c-spine fusions twice in under a year, and humongous Achilles tendon heal spurs which become inflamed simply from walking around like a normal person, oh and a previous knee scope and rotator cuff injuries, I too feel like a walking (barely) orthopedists nightmare. NOw I find I may have a myopathy---some disorder of muscle function yet to be determined-- just about guaranteed to knock down what is left of my remaining abilities. All this between the ages of 42 and 52, but after a lifetime of soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, cycling, snowboarding, skiing (water and snow), football, volleyball and softball. Parts wear out, break, or otherwise just fail, and unlike simply replacing a defective part in a car our bodies have to try to heal an injury, always leaving some remaining scar, some disability, however small, with or without surgical assistance. Eventually they add up, sometimes to an extent that we do not like.

Nobody but you and your body can say when it is time, but I urge you to listen to your body's signs and signals. I assume that there are some more important things in your life than tossing a caber, and realizing that you need to be around for and to enjoy those other things can be a sobering experience. I wish you well and hope for prolonged happiness regardless of the outcomes of your physical ailments and injuries.

jeff

[o1d_dude]

@DetroitPete: Nothing wrong with being a judge...whether you compete or not. I've been a judge for years as are most of the geezer/Master class. Be advised that judging is actually much more tiring than throwing. Athletes get to sit down between throws, judges not so much. OTOH, judges get PAID for their efforts...at least out here on the West Coast. Give it some thought.

@ Alan: Frank's calling it "scaling back". No more practices at Loch Loomis (his ranch) and only throwing in games when the spirit moves him. He's been trying to fish and golf for years but it's been taking a back seat to throwing (HG and bowling). He still plans to do the occasional caber hunt and such so the SHA should have a source of cabers for a while yet.

[Joshua]

Old Dude! Haven't seen you since the Cyberpump/P&B days!

I judged a whole season after my shoulder surgery. I'm getting back into throwing now and have a ton of implements I'm assembling. I actually retired completely from Strongman a couple years ago after training my butt off and only attaining 13th at Nationals among the superheavies. At the weight I was at, I was waking up with numb fingers, eating 2gm of ibuprofen a day, KILLING a grocery budget that was already stretched thin, and was spending 3-4 hours in the gym daily - which was putting a hurt on my family life.

Take family and health into account. Highland Games is fun, but there are many ways to be involved, and while you might judge, or officiate, or measure, whatever... and think to yourself "man, I wish I could still do that", you'll still come away from the field knowing you gave back to the sport that helped you attain some of that "small man confidence" you talked about...

[Jack Daw]

DeptroitPete, I'm almost 53 and I know what you are talking about. Thankfully, I've been able to avoid any repairing surgeries to date, but I've had to change my gym routines significantly. Paradoxically, exercise caused my problems and exercise is my current solution. Because of a changed exercise routine, I am able to avoid surgery and only occasionally pop some Ibuprofen. Keep up the exercise even though you may have to cut back on the sports.

[o1d_dude]

Joshua D? The Strongman from the Highlands of Florida?

Nice to see you're still making the rounds.

Yup, health really does need to the primary consideration. Good advice you've given Detroit Pete.

[3fingerslinger]

Yep, broke both femurs, both hips, crushed right ankle, multiple internal injuries and a missing ring finger- 3 deteriorating discs in my thoracic and the on set of scoliosis......and 46 yrs. old......nobody can go forever doing the things they love, we all get injured and older eventually, I'm impressed with what you've done at your size....you sound like you'll really miss it and I feel for you dude, good luck w/ the rehab. and I wish you the best in whatever you do......

[Detroitpete]

Thanks again guys. I'm starting with neurophysiology and we'll see just how messed up I am. I'm NOT feeling sorry for myself one bit on this. Matter of fact, considering all the things I've done (and done to my body) I feel pretty lucky. I'm just trying to choke down the idea of having to stop while there still something in the tank. Its not about competing against anyone--if you know Highland Games, you know we compete against ourselves and the rest of the lads are there for support.

I'm at the age where I've let go of many activites, I no longer climb rocks, play rugby, box, jump out of perfectly good helecopters and after one extremely terrifying and satisfying year playing semi-pro football, no longer look out of a face mask.

With these, I knew when it was time to hang things up. I just thought I might have more time with Highland Games and be able to go to a few more MWCs. The thing that REALLY sucks is while my shoulder was popping out of joint and my hamstring was on fire from tearing earlier in the day--I STILL picked a 21 foot caber and had damn good technique. Who knows...I'll be smart, rehab, go easy and see what Mother Nature has in mind for me. Either way, I still plan on giving back anyway I can to this sport. I've already comitted to helping out financially to some of the smaller games we have here.

Train smart, throw hard and laugh harder!

[Joshua]

Yep, broke both femurs, both hips, crushed right ankle, multiple internal injuries and a missing ring finger- 3 deteriorating discs in my thoracic... nobody can go forever doing the things they love

Were the "things you loved" having fist fights with crocodiles?... crocodiles on steroids?