Is 41 to old to get back in shape and start highland games?

**azwildcat96** · 27th February 12, 06:57 PM

It's never too old to start. I was 39, last year when I started. Welcome to the fun!

Try checking out Scottish American Athletic Association (saaa-national.org) and North American Scottish Games Athletics (nasgaweb.com). Both websites may offer suggestions for throwing groups, events, and training excercises, rules, etc.

Bonus of being 40+ is that masters classes throw slightly lighter implements in a couple events. They throw a 42 lb weight over bar and weight for distance rather than the 56 lb weights. I have not competed in masters yet, but have been practicing with both the 56 lb and 42 lb heavy weights, and trust me, it may not seem like a big difference, but there is a huge difference between 56 lbs and 42 lbs!

**Alan H** · 27th February 12, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by mrdad8802

Thanks Alan H. Can you send me some places where I can go tp find Games implements or to make them?

I don't want to be an arrogant jerk, but have you read through this athletics forum at all?

o1d_dude has posted pictures of his "do it yourself" hammers multiple times in various threads. Theres' a top-level post with pictures of a DIY weight that I made this past Christmas for my nephew. i JUST put up a post about how to train for sheaf. The top level post "so you want to be an athlete" is full of information on how to do this.

It's all right here. You just have to read it.

**denmcdough** · 27th February 12, 08:11 PM

It's never too old to start. If you wanna do it, then give it a shot.

Just returned from Traverse City, MI and the North American Vasa (cross country) Ski Race. This year it was the US Master's Nationals and, man, there were guys in their 60's, 70's, and 80's kickin' butt! It's amazing that one can grow fitter with age.

I was fortunate to finish 3rd overall in the 27K Classic event, and winner of my age group....60+.

**cck** · 27th February 12, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by mrdad8802

Just wondering if anyone thinks that 41 is to old to get back in shape and start competing in highland games? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Any age is too old to get out of shape.
No age is too old to get back in shape.
Go for it.

**o1d_dude** · 27th February 12, 09:36 PM

You're never too old to have a happy childhood.

The story Alan related about talking to the older couple at the games? Well, a number of years ago, Frank Lux and I are throwing in a comp and we start talking to this guy on the other side of the crowd fencing who wants to get involved in the Games.

We sent him over to talk to one of the South Bay throwers, Jim Walker, to take in some practices. One thing led to another and that, boys and girls, is how Alan got HIS start.

**BruceBC** · 27th February 12, 11:56 PM

50 years old here.. just did a 30km crosscountry ski race. Next year hope to do the 90km Vasa Loppet in Sweden.

**xman** · 28th February 12, 12:03 AM

This group of seniors (Dave Samis is a paddling mate of mine) just scaled Kilimanjaro!

**cck** · 28th February 12, 06:45 AM

I did my first triathlon at age 46. Competed on the US Team at the World Championships at age 58-70 and did the Ironman World Championships at 71. Age is not an excuse, it makes the accomplishment even more rewarding.

**creagdhubh** · 28th February 12, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by denmcdough

It's never too old to start. If you wanna do it, then give it a shot.

Just returned from Traverse City, MI and the North American Vasa (cross country) Ski Race. This year it was the US Master's Nationals and, man, there were guys in their 60's, 70's, and 80's kickin' butt! It's amazing that one can grow fitter with age.

I was fortunate to finish 3rd overall in the 27K Classic event, and winner of my age group....60+.

I cross-country and downhill ski myself, mate! Superb photo.

NO WAY!!! It is never too late!!!

My father is 57 and retired; has climbed numerous 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, summited The Grand Teton and surrounding peaks, and is planning to climb Mt. Rainier this summer, so it is never too late!

Cheers,

**Alan H** · 28th February 12, 12:18 PM

Kit has it about right. I threw in the C's at Woodland in 2008, on Saturday. I did OK, but I didn't even know there were Masters classes. On Sunday I went back and...

...wait a minute....there are groups of guys MY age out there throwing! So I walked over and met 01d_dude and a mess of the guys. I got hooked up with Jim Walker who helped me a lot my first season and there you go.

NEVER too late to have a happy childhood!