'splain THIS!??

**Alan H** · 20th November 08, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Derek Conley

Ah ha! I may just hold you to that.

Now, my problem is not knowing anyone in the area who competes; we have a bunch of Games around though, so I know they're there.

Are there places online you could suggest looking at for informative reading?

Now that right there is inspiring. Kudos to your brother!

Search around YouTube for keywords "Highland Games", weight over bar, scottish hammer, caber, stuff like that.

Active forum for athletics: http://www.nasgaweb.com

I'm Alan H there. If you go up on the "for newcomes" forum and say you're in FL and want to practice, I bet you'll get a response.

i want to re-interate that FACT that this sport is not just for gigantoid humanoids, only. Nobody is getting rich and famous doing this, we all just do it for ourselves. TimC from this forum throws in the 40+ Masters and he's about your size.

**jgorley** · 21st November 08, 01:55 PM

I second that! I do it for the friendship and fun of competition. If it were for the money I am way in the hole!! Lets see, the approximate cost of each game, food---$15, lodging---$60, gas---$100, entry fees---$25....season winnings---$100.....lets see....yup, I am losing money! Isn't it great!! I love every minute of it! Nasgaweb, the fountain of Highland Games knowledge. I visit it almost daily, just to keep up on the news. I also like to keep up on the rankings, just for fun. I like to see how my fellow competitors are progressing. It feels good when you throw with them and work on a few pointers, and the you can see their numbers improve.

James Gorley
B class

**Derek Conley** · 17th November 08, 12:54 AM

Interesting... I may have to look further into this... thanks!

**Cynthia** · 17th November 08, 06:37 AM

Derek, in the group I train with, we have a fairly short guy. I have no clue how much he weighs, but he's pretty muscular/stocky. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and puts every bit of his body and heart into his throws and gives it his best and he does a pretty good job, I think! A lot of the folks there are shorter than my husband and I, but we throw the worst because we're so new. They have technique, experience, and some strength over us for the moment -- we'll see how we end up doing over time.

The question is, do you want to do it? Don't worry about what you can or can't do or if you're not tall enough.... go have fun! Seriously

I'm sure you'll do just fine!

**jgorley** · 8th December 08, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

I haven't thrown since my last competition in October. I haven't done much of anything except for work. I've worked out a couple of times each week, but since my knee still isn't up to it yet, my squats are light and I've basically have just lfted to stay in some for of shape until I decide on an off season training regime.

So...

I decide to throw my gear into my truck and go throw on my day off (made a sweet KILLER caber hacked down from a 14' 6X6).

And...

My stones looked like I shot them out of a cannon!!!! WHERE was this during competition? My form didn't seem any different. The only difference I noticed was right at the power position/hip block (the place I call "the Crank") I felt more in the groove and stronger--and BAMM.

Again--I'm only 5'7ish and 189lbs right now--and both my Breamar and light stones 'popped' out there.

Hmmph...maybe I should'nt 'train' so hard during the season???

Thoughts????

Pete,

I have had the same happen to me. My "Achillies Heel" is the hammer. I usually throw 75 to 77 feet. I took 3 months off and was throwing consistantly 80+ feet with the light hammer Saturday. Really I wasn't trying, just focusing on the release. My coach says my swing was really long and relaxed. I was really supprised with the last 2 throws being each 87 feet. Maybe I should take more breaks!

**Detroitpete** · 8th December 08, 08:13 PM

James,

87 feet!!!!!! I'd retire after a toss like that ;-) Seriously though...I think the breaks are a good thing. I'm already looking at my schedule for next year and think that ONE event per month may give me the time in between I need to rest. This year I think I pushed it just because I was so glad to be able to compete after my injury.

I also know what you mean about a relaxed swing/focusing on release. I'm throwing better in the rain and snow now than I was during this summer. I think it's a combination of being relaxed and just letting my form 'happen' and not being too tense that I shorten my arms and try to muscle the hammer.

Too bad the "Frozen Stones" are too far away for me to travel ;-)