I'm going easy on training right now since the Singlehanded TransPac is only five weeks away and I don't dare get hurt. So what I'm doing is still getting out for our regular Thursday night workouts, but I'm throwing 20 pounds in the WFD.

Me Mate Jim has a 9 pound womens light weight, which is good because it's so light that you forget you have a weight in your hand, but you DO still have to release it! It's good for form and foot drills. However, it's a bit TOO light. 20 pounds is good because it's heavy enough that I know there's something there, but it's light enough that I do not have to "work" too hard to do good form. So I'm spending about half my time throwing that and half my time with the 28'er. It's paying off in that I'm very much reducing my "hesitation" time between the first and second turns; and I'm more consistently landing my first spin...the footwork. Also, I am following through, coming all the way around at the end and not stopping my body motion with the release.

Watch this absolutely gorgeous demonstration of Mac Wilkins, one of the best discus throwers EVER. After he releases the discus, his body keeps rotating...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXGFf5wkww

Or this compendium of top throwers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DgK_qiSut8

that is what I'm striving for.

Watch this...Craig smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUUKTMIiXPg

He doesn't choke off at the end, either, though he doesn't continue around as much as the discus throwers do, in part because of the footwear and grass surface vs. smooth discus ring.. I'm trying to split the difference.


what I DON'T want to do is this....though this guy tosses the 28'er a LOT farther than I do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad-KKR88I9Y

Now, I'm nowhere near throwing 57 feet, but do you see how he chokes himself off at the end of the throw? I'm trying NOT to do that, and this work with the 20 pound weight, AND backing all the way to the very back of the trig (I'm finally using the whole flippin trig, now) is really helping.

We'll see if this pays off, come the Fresno Games in September, which will be the next time I throw in competition.