Could it be---I may be finished????

**Detroitpete** · 9th May 11, 12:05 PM

UGH!

Some of you know the mountain I had to climb to get back into this sport. Well--seems I might be close to tossing my final caber.

I just had a tune-up weekend with some friends and as I thought-my injuries aren't as healed as I had hoped. My ripped hamstring that once was healed is now pulled and might need surgery. I have a compressed disc that has nerve implications in my leg that is now being tested and evaluated. My shoulder which I've repearedly torn now may need surgery to keep from dislocating under pressure...and finally, my wired/pinned and surgically repaired knee still offers no stability to plant, spin or pivot.

Lads I might be done--I can't believe I'm saying it. My plan is to finish all the evaluations and do the rehab--then see if I can at least compete at 75% at a few games this year.

Note that very few of these injuries occured competing in Highland Athletics--these are the consequences of a life enjoyed :-)

At least--if this is my final year, I can still say that at 5'7", 190#s, I screwed up the courage--did the work--kilted up and did what many only wish they could do as they watch from the other side of the rope.

People may say--yep--he was too small to do this...

But then they'd be wrong--I DID do it.

**MacBean** · 9th May 11, 01:00 PM

That's impressive really, and sad too. I hate to see people with sports-related injuries.

**McElmurry** · 9th May 11, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

UGH!

Lads I might be done--I can't believe I'm saying it. My plan is to finish all the evaluations and do the rehab--then see if I can at least compete at 75% at a few games this year.

As my Dad says “old age is not for wimps”. I have been trying to get back into one of my youthful pastimes and it is difficult to find the level of training effort that maximizes results while preventing injuries. At age 50 I sometimes find it hard to decide whether I need to take on more weight or take a nap. I have been trying to build a foundation by super-setting reps of 15 for 4 sets. Obviously this approach would not develop the kind of power you need but so far I have avoided injury and my reconstructed shoulder is hanging in there.

I hope you find a training approach that allows you to continue or you find another activity you can pursue well into the future. Good luck.

**Alan H** · 9th May 11, 05:04 PM

Any one of those....OK. Two...iffy? All of them?

Throwing is great. So is walking, driving and chasing young kids down and forcing them to listen to stories about how you kicked butt in the Highland Games.

My counsel is to be wise and understand that you have many years yet to live. I HOPE you can throw, but throwing is not the be-all, end all. Even if you can't throw you can still be involved in lots of ways.

Fingers crossed, mate.

**Spartan Tartan** · 9th May 11, 05:45 PM

Sorry to hear that. I know it's disappointing to have to leave a sport when you are still motivated and excited to compete.

I truly and honestly wish you the best throughout your rehab and recovery.

**English Bloke** · 9th May 11, 05:54 PM

I felt much the same way when I hung up my rugby boots for the last time. Gutted doesn't quite capture it. As I got older I found the knocks that I used to shake off in a couple of days were taking weeks to recover from and I'd often play in an injured state just to be part of the game. A recipe for disaster. When I dislocated my knee and tore my cruciates I realised the writing was on the wall but I still managed another season of spirited playing after I'd mended. I realised though that I wasn't as good as I used to be and there were blokes who were coming up who were now better than me so it was time to stop and at 39 with 27 years in the sport it was a fair shout.

I found that after I'd decided to quit there was still much enjoyment to be gleaned from the "other side of the rope" as you say. Although that proved quite shortlived too as shortly after that I left the circles in which I used to play.

Your expertise doesn't fade, just your ability to perform. There are many aspiring youngsters who can benefit from your experience. The game doesn't stop 'cause you stop. Hang on in there. Move to coaching proper. I didn't. I wish I had.

**auld argonian** · 9th May 11, 06:01 PM

When the time comes, the time comes...better to be able to pack it in when it's your decision.

As to your size...

...it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Best

AA

**o1d_dude** · 9th May 11, 11:40 PM

Sorry to hear of your dilemma.

Having been in that same situation several times, I understand what you're going through.

This last weekend, my training partner of the past 12 years threw in his last games and has hung up his turf shoes to pursue other Scottish hobbies (golf, angling, etc.)

Today I went in for an echocardiogram following up on some episodes of atrial fibrillation I've had over the last five years and a cardiologist appointment once the results are in. Who knows what the medical findings and advice will be? Best case, I get turned loose on the Heavy Events for another few years. Worst case (still being optimistic), I take up Scottish Country Dancing. Don't want to think about anything worse than that. LOL!

At some point though, we'll all have to make that decision about when it's time to sit in the stands instead of running around out on the field.

Often I have thought that when that day comes, I'll just continue with the coaching. Have you thought about that? There's a whole generation of young'uns who need or want to learn about their culture and it's up to us to pass that knowledge forward. Even if only to a couple of them at a time.

Here's what I tell them at the end of the day: "All men die but no man truly lives lest he's put the stone, thrown the hammer, and tossed the caber. Today, we did those things. We truly lived."

Here's to hoping that your medical issues come to a favorable resolution and your decision is easy.

Live long. Throw far.

**Alan H** · 10th May 11, 01:30 PM

What???/ Frank is calling it a day? Wow...I didn't know that.

Kit, I hope the results from the cardiologist are not the Country Dance kind.

Mark...go slow, be wise.

**Detroitpete** · 10th May 11, 02:29 PM

Thanks all for your support. I'm going slow--making sure everything is taken care of and will see what the future holds. Who knows, if I can't get out and compete at the level I need to--I might just become a judge! Let me giv'r a go... " F O U L"!! Git me another beer would ya?" Yep, judging may be in my future