Alan's 2013 Season Log

**Alan H** · 19th June 13, 03:18 PM

Training update: I haven't done a damn thing for six days and my hips and right elbow are much happier. I'm missing it, but it's obvious that I really needed a break. I'm hoping that Joan is healthy enough to let me get out for the Monterey Games.

**RogerWS76** · 19th June 13, 09:13 PM

That would be cool! Praying for The Luminous Joan!!!

**Alan H** · 21st June 13, 10:55 AM

I couldn't STAND it, so Wednesday night I went out and threw LWFD a few times after work. I think I just took 6 throws, something like that and then went home. Thankfully, I haven't forgotten how, and my hips don't burn. I can "get down and stay down" again. All throws 48-50 feet.

**Alan H** · 23rd June 13, 02:32 PM

OK, first practice back after the break. I threw for about an hour and a half by myself after church today.

Did a few 16 hammer winds to warm up, then 6 full throws. I noticed that sometimes I "pull off" of the throw, I can tell because I lose my balance forward after delivering the hammer. Mostly, they were pretty good, I just noticed that I tired quickly, I was good for 6 throws and that's about it.

Then I fixed up the sheaf standards for a few minutes and then did some LWFD. 6 throws, everything 48+. I've been doing a little bit of experimenting with going at a higher speed through the whole throw, but it doesn't work. I just need to stay DOWN, replace my feet in the back as late as I can...and stay DOWN... and then throw the thing high. If I do that, pow 50 feet. I don't have to think about going fast, it just happens.

Then did some O stone; started out with about 6-8 stand throws, focusing on keeping my left elbow up...don't drop the elbow!...and keeping my throwing hand thumb down. I've been giving the rock a "football spin" recently and it's costing me distance. I finished up with 4 hard throws with a shuffle. The shuffle added 3-4 feet to my distances. Stands were all 29' 6" to maybe 31. Shuffles were all 33' 6" to close to 35. Very happy with that.

Hips are tired and sore, so I'll have to foam roll/softball roll tonight.

**Alan H** · 24th June 13, 03:16 PM

Just registered for Monterey. YAY!

**Martin Roy** · 24th June 13, 07:41 PM

The universe is back in balance. *whew*

**o1d_dude** · 25th June 13, 12:17 AM

The Rattlesnakes will be there as well from what I gather. However, I don't particularly like throwing on dirt/sand and will pass on this. Too long a drive and too much money to spend for lousy throwing conditions.

I thought this year was supposed to be back at Toro Park on GRASS?

**eclarkhb** · 25th June 13, 07:52 AM

Good Luck in Monterey!

**Alan H** · 25th June 13, 10:17 AM

Yeah, I wish it was back at Toro Park as well. I don't much like throwing on dirt either, but there may be plywood and astroturf throwing platforms. Whatever, a day throwing beats a day doing most other things and if I don't throw at Monterey, it will be all the way until July 21 at Portland before I get to a Games again.

My hip flexors tire very rapidly these days. The past two nights I've foam rolled and worked a softball into my hips and glutes. It helps a lot, but I'm sleeping on the futon while Joan recovers some more from her hip surgery.....God forbid I kick her or something, and I'm a very "kinetic" sleeper. I expect there will probably be another week of that before I get back in a decent bed. Hopefully, things will normal out when I get off of the futon.

Thanks, Eric...we shall see!

And in other news.... plans are firming up for a sailing expedition from Richmond to Stockton, the second weekend in August. 4-5 of us will take some small boats on the trip, which should be quite the adventure in the 10-15 footers that we'll be sailing/rowing. I need to finish my dacron sail, I don't think the polytarp sail is up to this trip!. Our friend, Skip might bring along his 24 foot catamaran as the mother ship.