It's going to be a big weekend.

[Alan H]

I wouldn't normally do this, but this upcoming weekend is kind of a big one for the crew down in the Athletics forum. Look, it's a kilt post because all of us will be wearing kilts while we do the following.

1. GGGP is going to be throwing at the Costa Mesa Games this Saturday. I know how she's been practicing. I even sent her a lightweight practice weight so she could work on quick footwork. I know that she's been working on her hammers. I also know that her practice group has been bounced around from practice field to practice field, and it's been tough to get in time with the team. So she's been working a lot on her own. I gave her a caber at Bakersfield a few weeks ago, and I know that she's been working on that, too.

Can we at X Marks show GGGP a little love and encouragement for this weekends adventures?

Tear it up, GGGP!!! Show us some PR-mageddon!

2. Yours Truly is going to the Masters World Championships in Greenville, SC. I fly into Charlotte on Thursday, drive down to Columbia for dinner with some friends and then up to Greenville on Friday. I will be cannon fodder for the Big Lads in my age class, but I hope to score some personal records. I'm not going to win, but I'm gonna be on the field, and to me that's a big deal. I will be meeting up with several lads from back East that I've communicated with for years about training and so on. It's a Big Freaking Deal to me to go to the Worlds. I am SO overdue for some personal records, especially in the 28 pound weight throw and the 16 pound hammer. Practice has been going well. I am as strong as I have ever been. It's in the tank....I just have to get my head out of my own way, and leave it all on the field.

So spare a thought, eh?

3. And finally, after many months of scheming, practicing and plotting .... Kineticat is going to throw in her very first Highland Games.

Big whoop, you all think...so she's going to throw at the Games. No...WAIT a minute. Just hold your horses, here. In the USA and Canada, seeing women on the Highland Games field is commonplace. That barrier fell a LONG time ago, and womens athletics is growing. In Scotland that is *Emphatically* not the case. Women don't do the Heavy Events....as Jock Scot would put it..."it's just not done, old son".

Humph. I have *thoughts* about THAT.

That is changing, though. It's changing very slowly. Incredibly, in terms of womens heavy athletics, Scotland is WAY behind the USA, even way behind places like Germany, France and Iceland. I think that the number of women in the UK who have actually thrown at a Highland Games numbers about a dozen, I'm sure it's less than 20 in the entire country. In comparison, in 2011, 261 women recorded scores on the North American database, and there were probably another 30-40 that threw in Games that didn't report scores in the USA and Canada.

There's a significant tradition that says that women "just don't do that" in Scotland.

Kineticat is really taking the proverbial bull by the horns, here. Not only that, but she's not some 20-something gym rat, either, who's lifted weights all of her short life. No, she just got this crazy idea that ....why CAN'T a 47-year old woman dare to try the Heavy Athletics?

I, for one, say....I sure can't think of a good reason why you can't. Why the H311, not? --> Go tear it up, Kineticat.

She's been practicing, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah....she's not going to outdo the men. She's not going to throw the mens 28 pound, 90 feet. She's not going to turn a big mens caber. She's not going to set a world record. But she's going to be OUT THERE... She's going to be on the "DO IT" side of the rope barrier, not the "watch it' side. She'll be out there on the field, putting her skills, strength and abilities out where everybody can see what she's got, opening up a long-held tradition and paving the way for women next year, and the year after that and the year after that to try....and...

.......and if you don't think that's just a little bit scary....

Her last blog entry is about fear. It's about how fear can sap you of resolve, and how to deal with it. I think we all know about fear, and its cousin, doubt.... the words in your head, or the words of others that say "you can't!" and what were you thinking? .. and Better to give up now before you embarrass yourself! ...Act your age!. I know that I've felt it. I'm sure you all have, too.

So let's gather together and drop a rock on the little yapping and obnoxious toy dogs of fear, and send our own Kineticat out into her very first Highland Games with a big cheer.

You go, girl!

..........and to all of the athletes this coming weekend...YOU KNOW THE RULEZ.

Pics, or it didn't happen! :LOL:

[LitTrog]

I will personally kick the yapping toy dog of fear!

I guess he's actually a Pom--but I promise to kick him if it helps.

My best wishes go out to the three of you and any other x-marker that's gearing up for competition. A great example how hard work and fun can coexist!

Have you ever thought about throwing at Estes Park in September, Alan? I think at least one other Nor-Cal member is headed out this way. I'd love to see you throw around some heavy stuff!

And, yes. PICS.

[azwildcat96]

Kinetikat, women throwing heavy things?!?!?! I don't see a problem here! You've been training. You'll do fine. Get this first games under your belt, establish a benchmark for each event, and then try like hell to crush your personal records with each and every future games.

LitTrog, I beg to differ...I'm pretty sure the yap is a chihuahua with a Napoleon complex.

Alan, I know you'll do well! Enjoy yourself, and let us know how things go.

GGGP, my wife is signed up to throw Saturday with the women at Scotfest in Costa Mesa this weekend too, so I'll be there cheering her and the others on.

I'll be throwing Sunday with the mens' masters group in Costa Mesa. As always, I'm looking forward to see old friends, meeting new ones, and trying to break a PR or two.

Good luck to all! Have fun and throw far!

[Kinetikat]

Ala, sounds like your weekend is going to be one to remember! Say hi to Adriane for me when you see her. I'll be thinking of you on the field.

And GGGP! Have a great time - have fun and throw far! You totally rock already, you'll do great even though you've had to practice alone a lot recently. It's the practice that counts! Just make sure you wear the cool sunglasses ;P

Wildcat - yes, absolutely, I want to get this first Games weekend under my not-inconsiderable kilt belt, and then I'll feel better. Even if it turns out to be really terrible and I suck like a vacuum-cleaner, I then have three weeks before my next batch of Games on the 9th and 10th of June - three weeks of practice! Three weeks of gym work. Three weeks of forewarned-is-forearmed. And that's going to be tremendously helpful.

And - pictures? Yes, we are the ladies, gentlemen and Kilted Lebowskis of X Marks! There will be pictures!

[Alan H]

Kinetikat, women throwing heavy things?!?!?! I don't see a problem here! You've been training. You'll do fine. Get this first games under your belt, establish a benchmark for each event, and then try like hell to crush your personal records with each and every future games.

LitTrog, I beg to differ...I'm pretty sure the yap is a chihuahua with a Napoleon complex.

Alan, I know you'll do well! Enjoy yourself, and let us know how things go.

GGGP, my wife is signed up to throw Saturday with the women at Scotfest in Costa Mesa this weekend too, so I'll be there cheering her and the others on.

I'll be throwing Sunday with the mens' masters group in Costa Mesa. As always, I'm looking forward to see old friends, meeting new ones, and trying to break a PR or two.

Good luck to all! Have fun and throw far!

I was thinking in the shower last night, that you were probably going to be throwing at Costa Mesa, but I did NOT know that your wife was going to give it a shot. That's **EXCELLENT**! Tear it up, both of you!

ALSO ecklarkb will be throwing at Costa Mesa. It's gonna be busy out here for the West Coast contingent of the XMarks Heavy Athletics Team!

[azwildcat96]

I was thinking in the shower last night, that you were probably going to be throwing at Costa Mesa, but I did NOT know that your wife was going to give it a shot. That's **EXCELLENT**! Tear it up, both of you!

ALSO ecklarkb will be throwing at Costa Mesa. It's gonna be busy out here for the West Coast contingent of the XMarks Heavy Athletics Team!

Yep. This will be her 4th games competing. She's only been practicing for about a year (we started together). She did really well in Vegas last month with three PR's, and four medals out of the nine events.

[English Bloke]

...But she's going to be OUT THERE ... She's going to be on the "DO IT" side of the rope barrier, not the "watch it' side. ...

What a superb way to put it. I wish you all EVERY success for your upcoming events. Can't wait for the follow-up reports.

[creagdhubh]

What a superb way to put it. I wish you all EVERY success for your upcoming events. Can't wait for the follow-up reports.

***

[cruiser348]

Good luck to one and all that are headed out this weekend and stepping onto that field. That especially goes for those that are taking the plunge and headed out for the first time.
I can't kick a yapping dog of fear but have a crazy cat of stupidity running around the house that I'll give a dirty look if that helps.

[bigdad1]

Great post Alan. The very best of luck to you and just kick some butt my friend!! Sydnie and I will be at Costa Mesa this weekend and will look for GGGP.