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10th October 13, 09:03 AM
#3
Alan,
Awesome advice. Thank you.
I am going to toss in a few thoughts of my own here. They are free, and worth every penny you will pay for them .
For truth in advertising, a bit of my background. I was, in my youth, a Marine, and did some very serious lifting (e.g. a PR bench press north of 400 lbs). In training, I was 6'1" tall and weighed right at 250 pounds. When I left active duty, I was married, shortly had children, and career and family gradually pushed fitness out of the picture. I ballooned up to over 400 pounds, and stopped lifting. I never became inactive, continuing to do things like square dancing and mountain hiking. A few years ago, I had a wake up call (not a heart attack, but an electrical heart issue) and was told "Lose the weight and excercise, or die!" I chose to lose the weight and excercise. Around the same time, I started wearing the kilt full time. A couple of years ago, getting a little bored with the gym without a training goal beyond death avoidance, I decided to try working toward HG competition. I figured to be ready for the local spring schedule games in 2013, such as Southern Maryland Celtic Festicval and Frederick MD Highland Games. Alas, in December 2012, not even in the gym, I seriously broke my wrist. Imagine my surprise to find out at 63 I was out of warranty! NO work outs for more than a quarter of a year. When the cast finally came off, I could not grasp or lift a 5 pound weight in my right hand - total deconditioning. Ok, let's reset for the 2014 Games!
So here are the thoughts:
Alan is just about completly correct in what he is saying. Especially when he talks about making it fun, and being part of the throwing community.
At least occasionnally, have a good trainer evaluate you. Not a Games trainer, a strength and fitness trainer. Have them look at your core strength, balance and agility. These are some of the things that are going to help keep you from injury, or reduce the severity of any injury you do have. A good certified trainer can spot deficiencies that you might miss.
Learn the difference between pain and discomfort. Being uncomfortable when training is normal. Being in continuing pain is a signal from you body that something is wrong.
And again, since it is unlikely you are going to set the throwing world on fire, have fun.
If you came to a Mid Atlantic High Games next year, look for the old fart in the USAKilt Leatherneck out on the field throwing. that will be me.
Geoff Withnell
"My comrades, they did never yield, for courage knows no bounds."
No longer subject to reveille US Marine.
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