Throwin' for MacLeods.

[JordanMacLeodHostetter]

This monday I officially started weight training for next years games.

I WILL participate in at least 2 games in my area (and more if I can find out where and how much)

I've always been a bigger guy, but never put my weight to good use for me. At the moment I am 225 lbs at 5' 9.5". I use to powerlift in high school, but the past doesn't get me big just by remembering.

At the present moment I am doing mostly circuit training with emphasis and muscular endurance while still pushing for strength. My favorite move is what I call Caber Picks (I'm sure there is a real name). I hold plates with my hands interlocked and "clean" following up with the weight directly over head, the same general movement of tossing a caber without actually letting go of anything.

I know alot of lifting moves but not neccesarily thrower specific exersizes.

hopefully being public with my goals and logging them will keep me on track, feel free to "light fires" if I start to slack.

Thank you in advance for any insight and/or corrections (should there be something I could do better), photos and my detailed training log to follow.

Jordan
Just took a stab at open stone put with a 15.6# stone, to see where I am starting from before heavy lifting, and I put 24.5'... i gotta ways to go.

[Martin Roy]

Welcome aboard, Jordan. I'll look forward to reading about your progress over the next few months. Keep at it.

[Alan H]

EXCELLENT! Welcome to the insanity! You'll have a blast...

[LitTrog]

Very cool. I would say you and I are on similar journeys, but I've never been a bigger guy and I know poopy about power lifting. But the whole "learing-to-throw" thing is there! Looking forward to watching your progress and finding ways to improve my own.

[LitTrog]

Just took a stab at open stone put with a 15.6# stone, to see where I am starting from before heavy lifting, and I put 24.5'... i gotta ways to go.

I'll pass along some sage advice I received when I was disappointed with my throwing:

First thing:


Throwing in the heavy events isn't something you read about, dash out onto the field, and break world records. There's a learning curve. We call this "Time on the implement."

Throwing the heavy events is not easy. If it were, the English would do it.

[JordanMacLeodHostetter]

Very sage advice... and I look forward to seeing your progress as well, hopefully we can each learn from one another. good luck!

[Alan H]

It took me almost three full seasons to finally toss the Open Stone over 30 feet. Do NOT be discouraged.

Besides, you'll probably progress WAY faster than I did!

[o1d_dude]

Learning the stones can be helped by checking out the shot put online resources.

The basics:

Position the stone against the side of your neck or under your ear. Keep your elbow up and thumb down.

Assuming you are right handed, make sure your right hip leads your right shoulder when driving the stone. This is called "separation" or the "X position". My internet coach also called this position "drawing the bow".

Elbow the dwarf and punch the giant. Your non-throwing left hand whips around to speed up your rotation and elbows the dwarf, while your throwing arm delivers a straight punch to the giant's jaw. Drive your throwing shoulder through your elbow and the elbow through the wrist. Flick the stone with your fingers upon release.

Make sure you aim the stone high ("punch the giant") because the longer it's in the air, the further it travels. I said this twice because it's important. If the stone rolls further on the ground than it travels through the air, you're not aiming high enough. Ideally, the stone hits the ground and stops or maybe rolls a foot or two. The optimum angle of release is about 42 degrees above the horizon.

Stone on.

[JordanMacLeodHostetter]

thats awesome, thank you. thats a really good visual, as well, I'll definitely keep it in mind as I throw.

[Laird_M]

Welcome to the Rabble.
And nice to see you're competing for a decent Clan.