Off- Season Plans

[BoldHighlander]

Off season, no such thing. This is just a long time til the next games. My next games is in June.

Which games is this James?

[Detroitpete]

Yep--May will be here sooner than I think. I'm actually excited about this year's training season. Here's my plan:

-Footwork-footwork--footwork. As my knee rehabs, I want to do all the spin drills I can do.

-Hack down and hoist my own caber. I want to really focus on picking, then carrying it higher. Thinking about using a shorter, but heavier caber so I can focus on picking and carrying. If I can balance the weight (becuse of my knee) I can turn pretty well.

-Lifting: as soon as I can--move to squats, dead lifts etc. Found out this year that for an old small guy, my upper body can keep me in the game--but REAL throws come from the legs.

-I'm actually going to make my own--and PRACTICE throwing the sheaf--no laughing please ;-)

-Stones: LOVE throwing--so now I'll focus on minute areas of technique--video myself throwing and getting all the help I can.

-WFD/WOB: Lifting and throwing--no other way than to build lean muscle mass and develop good technique

Overall goal:

By May, be in shape, well practiced and ready.

[jgorley]

Which games is this James?

This is the Bellingham Highland Games, in Ferndale, Washington. They are June 6th and 7th.

[BoldHighlander]

This is the Bellingham Highland Games, in Ferndale, Washington. They are June 6th and 7th.

I thought as much.
These are in my back yard (I live in Bellingham).
Stop by the Mackay booth & say hi, I'm the commissioner

[Drillagent]

I've been reading this thread with great interest, and now I have some questions.

I've thought about competing in the masters class, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I'm almost 42 so I better get going before I'm TOO old. Lately, I've been hitting the iron pretty hard and I'm lifting more than I ever have. I'm close to 300lbs one rep max on my bench. But there's a lot of fat that I want to lose. Like the spare monster truck tire I'm carrying around my middle. I do have knee and ankle problems, but those are improving. So, now to the questions.

From reading this thread, it sounds like I should work on technique, but what weightlifting exercises help? Are there some explosive workouts that help? Where or how should I get some stones and weights to work with? Any advice on how to make my own? Sorry if I've overwelmed anyone. Thanks

[jgorley]

I've been reading this thread with great interest, and now I have some questions.

I've thought about competing in the masters class, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I'm almost 42 so I better get going before I'm TOO old. Lately, I've been hitting the iron pretty hard and I'm lifting more than I ever have. I'm close to 300lbs one rep max on my bench. But there's a lot of fat that I want to lose. Like the spare monster truck tire I'm carrying around my middle. I do have knee and ankle problems, but those are improving. So, now to the questions.

From reading this thread, it sounds like I should work on technique, but what weightlifting exercises help? Are there some explosive workouts that help? Where or how should I get some stones and weights to work with? Any advice on how to make my own? Sorry if I've overwelmed anyone. Thanks

Check out www.nasgaweb.com for the answers to all these questions. There are links to the manufacturers of the implements. Both here and there you can find some tips on making your own weights and hammers. As for the stone, do you live near a river? Look for fairly round stones approx 17lbs and 24lbs. These are typical open and braemar stones. You can always go lighter when starting!

hope this helps!
James

[Cynthia]

Also check the NASGA site for groups that might train near you. That's where I found the group I train with and my husband and I adore them. They're GREAT help, and they have a lot of the gear already so we can take our time getting things together for our own stuff My husband might even do some weight training with them (I was invited, but these guys are BIG and besides, I thought they might want to cut loose and be guys... not that they hold back around me, but you probably know what I mean).

A doctor would know best if you're able to do anything like this (you mentioned your knees, etc). Technique and form will also help prevent injuries, as well as help your throws. It's not always about muscle.

I definitely recommend finding some folks you can train with. It's more fun, and it's a ton of help.

[Nighthawk]

Me? My living history group is possibly going to see the Duchess in garb either this coming weekend or the Nov 1 weekend. That ought to be entertaining- a clan of pre Culloden highlanders invading a movie theater.

And I plan to work (really hard!!) on my bagpiping skills. Maybe I'll compete next summer.

[Alan H]

I'm pretty much planning to build my strength back up and only then start properly working on technique.
Before my surgery I was benching just over 200lbs. Now I am doing 56lbs. Aeee.
I got a new weight set after my wages FINALLY cleared and I could afford one from Craigslist. Between that and the great advice from this board I will get there in time and I am confident I will do well.

Alan, I really hope your back heals up well. Good luck that!

I've been reading this thread with great interest, and now I have some questions.

I've thought about competing in the masters class, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I'm almost 42 so I better get going before I'm TOO old. Lately, I've been hitting the iron pretty hard and I'm lifting more than I ever have. I'm close to 300lbs one rep max on my bench. But there's a lot of fat that I want to lose. Like the spare monster truck tire I'm carrying around my middle. I do have knee and ankle problems, but those are improving. So, now to the questions.

From reading this thread, it sounds like I should work on technique, but what weightlifting exercises help? Are there some explosive workouts that help? Where or how should I get some stones and weights to work with? Any advice on how to make my own? Sorry if I've overwelmed anyone. Thanks

The consensus on the NASGA board was pretty much, if you want to get strong and throw far, then throw a LOT. That doesnt mean to stay OUT of the weight room, but especially at the beginning, your biggest throwing gains will be from technique inprovement, not strength.

[Ryan Nielson]

I'm training for USAPL Idaho State Powerlifting Championships coming up November 29th if it goes as planned want to break a 1700 total in the 242 class. I might hit another powerlifting meet around January. It's pretty cold here now so haven't been out throwing at all anymore but I miss it.