getting started in athletics

[LitTrog]

So are we to expect pictures of your girded courage next week?

No, only of my shame-faced cowardice (coward ***?) There are other factors involved with this weekend other than my wilted loins, unfortunately. More than willing to go embarass myself, but my potential change of plans didn't sit well at home. I think there are birthday shennanigans planned for me...How about some of you other X throwers compete at Estes with me next year?

"Next year"...do I sound like a Cubs fan, or what? I just know that I'll have to make good on it or I won't be able to show my face around these here parts--been talking it up too much to back down. A good incentive.

[Alan H]

I forsee an EPIC photo thread. Oh, wait.....next year. Now, I do understand the issue with these last minute changes, and so in light of that, I offer up this peace offering......

OK. FINE!!!!

now, back to your loins....

[RogerWS76]

Estes Park sounds like fun next year!

[LitTrog]

Estes Park sounds like fun next year!

Yes! I'll trade you pints for pointers.

Alan? You got your tickets yet? Lotsa pretty girls out here for you to leer at...

[Alan H]

Just a sour comment....

I notice that the OP comes in and complains loudly and aggressively about how impossible it is to get any help with the Heavy Athletics, and then when several of us send him links to contacts, training manuals, video's and lists of workout logs, he mysteriously disappears.

It's not the first time this has happened on X Marks. Much more of this and I'm going to get cynical.

Fortunately, two new guys are throwing in the CHAC, and they're both doing absolutely *great* and were out for their third workout last night. They'll both be throwing at Fresno and Dixon, I believe. New lass Jessica turned the womens C class caber for the first time last night. So there's hope for the world.

[Geoff Withnell]

Don't get too cynical yet Alan. I'm working on getting into shapeto be able to throw next year. I've got some more weight to lose, and I need to build up some more muscle, but that was on the program already. Can't work out with you, kinda a long way from DC, but I figure it's a good way to put some more interest in the workout program. Assumeing these 63 year old knees cooperate (Doc says they should).

Just a sour comment....

I notice that the OP comes in and complains loudly and aggressively about how impossible it is to get any help with the Heavy Athletics, and then when several of us send him links to contacts, training manuals, video's and lists of workout logs, he mysteriously disappears.

It's not the first time this has happened on X Marks. Much more of this and I'm going to get cynical.

Fortunately, two new guys are throwing in the CHAC, and they're both doing absolutely *great* and were out for their third workout last night. They'll both be throwing at Fresno and Dixon, I believe. New lass Jessica turned the womens C class caber for the first time last night. So there's hope for the world.

[Alan H]

Geoff, consider this....

Throwing, in and of itself IS AN EXERCISE WHICH CAN HELP YOU GET IN SHAPE.

I can not for the life of me understand why people think that they have to be Atlas to throw. OK, so don't throw the 56 pound weight, that's fine. Don't wind the 22 pound hammer. No problem! Heck, work with the womens weights.....the pro's do, I do, why can't anybody? They're lighter, but everything you learn throwing the womens weights translates directly into what you throw in competition. 01d_dude writes all the time about throwing his "girly-mon" weights and hammers. They're implements which weigh less than the competition ones. All the technique and strength you build, working with those implement doesn't somehow magically evaporate when you pick up the "real" ones.


Nobody needs to "get in shape in order to throw".....

Throwing will help you get in shape.

I scream this out with one caveat....if you are someone who really, truly has not exercised for a long time, then throwing can do damage. So yeah...maybe start walking at lunch, and work up to a regular gym workout. Your gym workout doesn't have to be brutal, you can work yourself into a lather by doing stuff with your bodyweight....push ups, sit ups, "get ups", pull-ups, jump up onto a short plyometics box....TONS of stuff. You also need to understand the difference between muscle soreness from exerting yourself, and actually being hurt. But after six months of that, enough excuses. If you want to throw, then THROW.

[Alan H]

Sorry, just a little crabby here. I got contact information for FIVE people at Pleasanton, and emailed them all, twice with schedules and information. Not ONE of them has gotten back to me. -> All talk, no "do". ...kind of tired of it, so when I see it happen here at X Marks, I get angry.

Geoff, seriously...moderate throwing can be part of a workout regime. If you really want to throw, then throw. Carefully? Ok, maybe. Maybe you don't go all-out 100% yet with the big weights. But unless you really are someone who really, truly *Never* exercised, someone who hasn't exercised in years and years, there's no reason to not make throwing part of an exercise regime to help you get in shape.

[Geoff Withnell]

Oh, I fully plan to throw. I meant I need to do somethings to not look silly stepping on to the competition field. I did let myself go for years. Got a MAJOR wakeup call (When the doc said "Lose weight and exercise or you will DIE" and meant it, I listened.) Been doing Cardio and resistance for several years now, lost about 90 lbs. I've got to start doing more free weight and less machine, but that was also on the program. My trainer - a little thing who looks like she weighs about as much as a heavy stone, but she's tough as nails - is a Celtic culture freak, and loves the idea of my throwing. I need a lot of work on core and balance, and that's just what I should get.

Sorry, just a little crabby here. I got contact information for FIVE people at Pleasanton, and emailed them all, twice with schedules and information. Not ONE of them has gotten back to me. -> All talk, no "do". ...kind of tired of it, so when I see it happen here at X Marks, I get angry.

Geoff, seriously...moderate throwing can be part of a workout regime. If you really want to throw, then throw. Carefully? Ok, maybe. Maybe you don't go all-out 100% yet with the big weights. But unless you really are someone who really, truly *Never* exercised, someone who hasn't exercised in years and years, there's no reason to not make throwing part of an exercise regime to help you get in shape.

[Alan H]

Can I just be up-front here?

About that..."I need to do somethings to not look silly stepping on to the competition field

That's wrong. W-R-O-N-G. that is SO wrong. I don't know how strongly I can emphasize this.

You are exercising regularly. You have lost a mess of weight. You lift weights...with machines, but you still lift weights. You have no mobility issues...you haven't destroyed your knees or lower back or rotator cuffs.

What you do need to do? Lose MORE weight? Bench press 400 pounds? What are you afraid of? Looking like a fool? I look like a freaking idiot in the trig at least once a season, and probably at every other practice. Putting my idiocy on display was a lot more common, when I was starting out.

There is NOTHING to be afraid of here, unless your ego is so fragile that you can't stand the thought of getting out where anybody might see you while you don't look like the world champion. What, do you think you're too fat? Gee....there's not an ounce of excess weight being carried on ANYBODY in the Masters classes. That's not a spare tire around my gut, that's a light weight for distance counterbalance.

You need to "do more before you throw"????? Bullsh**. Unless there's something you're not letting us know, which of course is entirely your right, Unless there's something you're not letting us know, there is NO REASON why you can't start throwing. Now. Today. Immediately.

None. Zero. Zip. NONE. NO REASON. Will you set world records? No. Will you fall on your butt a few times, learning? Well, gosh, join the club.