Waterloo...Cannae...Pleasanton...Estes.


Two lessons learned: don't two-spin HWD if you're 172 lbs and don't know what you're doing, and more time needs to be spent in practice.

Not a satisfying culmination to my season, as my numbers dropped on almost every event. My two bright spots in a 6th of 11 overall ranking was the WOB (finally gained a foot in competition!) and caber. My actual caber turning was not spectacular, but I did well enough to bring home a first-place medal in the event! In the middle of a sudden mountain storm, no less. Felt wonderfully atmospheric.

I am disappointed by my numbers for the season, but I know why they are what they are. I spent most of my first season simply basking in the glow of calling myself a highland athlete (granted, it's not a bright glow) and having fun. I don't plan on losing the fun, but my competitive fires have been stoked a bit and my drive to improve is in gear for the off-season. I'm taking some time off until the end of October--letting some significant biceps/forearm and back discomfort heal up and catch some beach time in Cabo with my family. Then I'm back at it. I have to put on some weight for next season--they raised the "lightweight" classification from 190 to 200 . I weighed in at each event with a supply-laden backpack and full water jug and I was always well below 180...my wife will be sad to see my pretty abs go bye-bye, but I'm almost forty. Bound to happen pretty soon anyway.

Practice, practice, speed, speed. I know what I need to do to improve, just got to get off my duff and do it!

I will probably keep this log open to post some videos, ask questions, report on career-ending injuries, etc., but my 2013 season is done. For all my chagrin, it was a truly enjoyable summer--met some great people and did some stuff I never thought I'd be doing. Cannot do much better than that!