Alan's 2013 Season Log

**Alan H** · 8th April 13, 10:55 AM

I'm paying attention to it, I know it's nowhere at all good.. Now that Ardenwood is over I can feel my body relax. I'm going to take the readings again late this week and see where I am.

The results spreadsheet is made and double-checked. The Field Record sheet is updated, and come to find out that Roger owns the Masters WOB record after all. I looked at the 2010 results and David Youngberg went 14 feet that year, so you got the record in 2012, Roger. The results are all up on NASGA.

All that's left is to scam the Alameda Photography Association for photographs of CHAC athletes, and write thank you e-mails to the Clan conveners...and I can do that any time this week.

Ardenwood 2013 is a wrap.

**Alan H** · 10th April 13, 12:18 PM

Had a really good stones workout last night with the CHAC crew. We didn't have any of the other implements, so we spent a solid 90 minutes on stones fundamentals....softball throws, then softball "puts", then light stone puts. We all worked on "Hitting the block" and then "throwing through the block". Schantae made good progress, and going back to basics is always good for me, too. It helps me remember to relax. It paid off, too, when we were done with that, I had a couple of standing O Stone tosses at 32-33 feet, which ain't too shabby at all for me, and put my 21.6 pound Braemar stone out to 26+ consistently, about 6x in a row. so that was great.

Robert came by with the cabers from Ardenwood to unload, and after that we threw his 56 for distance for a while. I'm really getting better at this. When I hit a good one, I can go 24 feet, which is pretty solidly B class stuff. I'm actually starting to throw the weight instead of just hanging on. It's not "there" yet, and I tired quickly, but it's coming along. I'm miles ahead of where I was 2 months ago with this. The goal of 26-27 by Scotland in mid July is entirely possible.

After Bethany came by with her truck and all the weights from Ardenwood, I stayed and threw some heavy hammer in the dark. It was noting special, just whaling away hard on the thing for about 6-8 throws. All of them were 60-65 feet, the usual, but they felt pretty good.

TimC is seriously a whiz, drilling form with the softballs, and his O stone reflects his skill and ability to relax and yet throw hard. He's WAY better at that, than I am.

**Alan H** · 11th April 13, 02:47 PM

Small CHAC gathering last night. We drilled hammers....sets of 10 winds and then single-wind-wnd-deliver, and then took about 8 full throws each. Most of mine were around 80. One or two were down around 78, a few were up towards 84. I've settled on a hammer rhythm, though, for good or ill. Now I need to drill it, to get the timing, down.

Then we drilled LWFD, did a lot of sprint-phase throws. New Guy, Brian is going to be good. He got over 40 feet in his first practice.

**Alan H** · 14th April 13, 02:50 PM

Friday after work I got in some "me" time with stones and weights. I did 5 first turn drills in weights, landed a couple of them OK, but I need work, here. You can never do too much of the fundamentals. Sprint phase throws felt pretty good, the 5-6 full throws I did were mostly fine, all around 50, maybe two out to 54. HWFD went pretty well, 6 throws, everything significantly over 30, maybe one at 35. Stones, I worked on getting under the rock. This worked well. I've tarted throwing my 15.6 pound stone for some variety, and also, I build a little more speed with this rock than with a heavier one. Lots of stnading throws @ 32-33, dropped in one that might have been 34.

Today, after church I got in an hour and a quarter of me time with hammers. Warmed up with 40 winds in sets of 10...heavy-light-heavy-light. Then did about 8 heavy hammer throws. Nothing great to report, here. Light hammer is better. I've settled on a rhythm and technique and it's going pretty well. I took about 10 throws, everything over 80 (I paced these off, could be inaccurate) best of about 84-85. Heavy hammer sort of what it's always been, but I feel like I'm getting something figured out with the light hammer.

right forearm is sore from stone throws, I'll go easy this week. Also, I went to my PCP this past week and the nursing asst. took my blood pressure. 131/78. Yay...

**Alan H** · 17th April 13, 12:12 PM

CHAC practice last night. I did no work at all, but introduced three new people to the athletics. One of them is pretty sure to be back and become a regular thrower.

one of our guys, Ryan You, is seriously coming along. He's single-spinning the 28'er out to 45+, standing his O stone @ 16.2 pounds out to 32+ and throwing 72-75 foot light hammers. He's going to do just *fine* at his first Games at Woodland, will likely be top 3 in the C class.

Bethany also busted the fiberglass sheathing on the Frankencaber, so the clock is ticking on that one. This is the third caber down in less than a month. Oh well...it got us through Ardenwood. It's too big for her, anyway, I need to make a small womens A class caber.

**Alan H** · 18th April 13, 09:27 AM

CHAC practice last night....we started out with just two of us, then Brian G. showed up. We got in lots of good hammer work, which complements the stuff I did on Sunday. I hope to get one more long hammer session before Woodland. HH is all over 60, but 65+ is rare. LH everything is over 80, lots at 83, 84 but no 86's or 87's, so hangin' with Roger and Paul is gonna be tough!

I'll do some weights on Friday, probably fast squats and incline press, then Geezer Throws Sunday with Martin Roy at Shaffer Field on Sunday....take a break on Monday, throw WOB and caber on Tuesday, then play coach and rest at CHAC practice on Wednesday. That's th' plan for Woodland!

**RogerWS76** · 18th April 13, 09:32 AM

That consistent over 80's in practice will translate well when you get to the games and the adrenalin is flowing! I think you are gonna have some big throws at Woodland!!!

Also, if it's like last year your only gonna have to contend with Mr. Walker and Mr. Elliot in the 55+ Masters!

**Martin Roy** · 18th April 13, 09:57 AM

Also, if it's like last year your only gonna have to contend with Mr. Walker and Mr. Elliot in the 55+ Masters!

Ahh, but I've been hatching secret plans to take everyone by surprise this year at Woodland in the 55+ group. Next year at Woodland I'll be in the 60 group, so it's now or never.