[Detroitpete]

Hey guys!

So I just finished at Kalamazoo and had, by my standards, a bad day of throwing. But can we actually have a BAD day out there?

Even my stones were a mess--I've had decent technigue since I was in High School, but yesterday my form was like trying to unfold a busted lawn chair. Oh well. Too rushed I think.

During my second carry on the caber ( not too heavy, but long and wonky--the B's actually threw a smaller and lighter caber than us Masters), I felt a twinge in the shoulder I tore earlier this year. It shot an electric jolt down to my fingers and my whole arm and hand went numb. Ever try carrying a caber one handed? ;-) Anyway, I had to dump it. Put a folded towel under my shirt over the shoulder spot and went back at it the next time--good pick, good carry but a measley 80 degrees.

During the day I kept getting more bummed about what I was doing out there. That is until it was over and then I thought...

I have grey hair in my beard and now more on my chest. My body has been beat up for the last 35 years by football, rugby, lacrosse, boxing, rock climbing and 8 years in the military jumpiing out of perfectly good aircraft. Yeah I'm sore now, but heck, I would be the same doing something else equally fun and foolish. I feel like that bad attitude on the field ruined the spirit of what I was doing--stupid.

I'm a whopping 183 lbs right now and stand 5' 7" and I throw cabers. I compete with the 'big boys' and do my very best at each throw for each event. Can't really ask for much more, eh?

So no more griping and grousing about my scores---If I really did my best at each toss, then I'm walking away happy. If I let up, then I have to reckon with myself about that.

Every day above the turf is a good one. Every day I get to kilt up and compete is a good one.

At my age its good to have an attitude adjustment.

Hang in there boys and throw hard!

[Alan H]

Wise Man. *nodding*

Spot on, mate! Every time you think you're feeble, turn around and look at the crowd. (Not that everybody in the crowd is feeble, or that everybody SHOULD throw!!!)

YOU are throwing. THEY, aren't.

[BoldHighlander]

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

During the day I kept getting more bummed about what I was doing out there. That is until it was over and then I thought...

I have grey hair in my beard and now more on my chest. My body has been beat up for the last 35 years by football, rugby, lacrosse, boxing, rock climbing and 8 years in the military jumpiing out of perfectly good aircraft. Yeah I'm sore now, but heck, I would be the same doing something else equally fun and foolish. I feel like that bad attitude on the field ruined the spirit of what I was doing--stupid.

Reminds me of the (true) story of an old stoved-up bronc buster, when asked if he ever regreted all the years of abuse he had put his body thru, he stopped & thought it over, and replied:
"nope, it gives me something interesting to talk about in my old age"

[ChubRock]

Way to keep perspective. Whenever asked how I am doing I answer, "Great! I don't have cancer and I paid my bills again this month. The rest is cream cheese." From now on I will add, "and I can still left a caber."