So you want to be an athlete?

**mischieftech** · 20th April 09, 01:35 PM

If one were to get cleats for this what kind is recommended? Football, soccer, track?

Also, I am curious, I haven't been able to find anyone's input on how exactly to train? Is there a particular routine that anyone does while training for this? I'm looking to try the Braemar and Open stone throws...

I'm in relatively good shape, and have routines that I have been doing for some time now, but if there are ones that work particularly well for these events, I would love to hear them.

**BigMikeLV** · 20th April 09, 01:53 PM

I just competed in my first games this last weekend. Football cleats worked great for me.
I followed the thread in here about making training tools. If you have a quarry around you can go looking for rocks or you can find a 16# shotput. They only thing i couldn't get for practicing was a Caber.

**mischieftech** · 21st April 09, 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by BigMikeLV

I just competed in my first games this last weekend. Football cleats worked great for me.
I followed the thread in here about making training tools. If you have a quarry around you can go looking for rocks or you can find a 16# shotput. They only thing i couldn't get for practicing was a Caber.

How did ya do?

**BigMikeLV** · 21st April 09, 07:37 AM

4th overall. Check here.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/l...536/index.html

**Rab** · 6th February 11, 04:55 AM

really great thread lads, loads of usefull advice in it. My sports really running but I'm going to try and build up on my strength work over the next few months with a view to trying some of the heavy events in the summer.
Out of intrest, do the Highland games over in the US mainly concentrate on the heavies, here they quite often have a hill race tagged on to them,
cheers.

**Alan H** · 6th February 11, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by Rab

really great thread lads, loads of usefull advice in it. My sports really running but I'm going to try and build up on my strength work over the next few months with a view to trying some of the heavy events in the summer.
Out of intrest, do the Highland games over in the US mainly concentrate on the heavies, here they quite often have a hill race tagged on to them,
cheers.

In the USA the "heavy athletics" may have classes in them in which guys who are under 200 pounds can compete with each other rather than having to battle it out with us monsters. The same goes for us "elder statesmen". Some Games also have other athletic events. I know that Santa Cruz has had a mile run, and Pleasanton also has a run, but it's around a horse-racing track...and usually in 100+ degree F heat. The guys who throw the caber and weights don't usually do the running events.

**Rab** · 7th February 11, 02:32 PM

Cheers Alan, I'm only around 175 pounds but at 5'9" I'm quite stocky for a distance runner so I'm hoping to bulk up a bit. I'm not really worried about being able to take on the big guys I just think throwing around heavy stuff looks great fun! I was at the Dufftown highland games in Speyside last summer, running in the Ben Rinnes 5 tops hill race (15miles / 4900ft ascent)
watching the heavies got me thinking,So I think I'll give it a try.
Your guides been really usefull, I havent been able to find anything even close to it so thanks. My running club has a track & feild section so I think I'll have a word with their throwing coach and then work on the weights.

**eclarkhb** · 11th August 11, 05:51 PM

Thought this might be a good place to post a training tip.

I'm currently doing footwork & technical drills for WFD with an orange traffic cone. The traffic cone is awkward, and about the same height (18") as the WFD. It provides some resistance, but it's lighter, so I can drill & throw repeatedly without getting as tired as I would with a 28lb weight.

I like it, hopefully someone else will find it useful as well.

**o1d_dude** · 11th August 11, 06:23 PM

Well if you have a traffic cone there is another weight for distance drill you can do.

Set the traffic cone directly behind you. On your back swing, the weight should pass between you and the cone. During the cast forward, the weight should pass behind the traffic cone to start establishing your arc.

Another weight for distance substitute is throwing an unmounted tire. Probably ought to wear a glove in case any of the steel belts are wearing through.