So this happened today...

While lifting tonight at the rec center I couldn't help but notice the woman behind me in the free weights area going through what had to be her first or second weights session with her trainer. The guy was calm, encouraging and offered correction as needed for form, but she was clearly struggling with the workout. Not physically, she had plenty more to give there, but mentally she was stuck. I smiled and nodded encouragement between sets a few times. When she made a comment about this, I smiled and said, "I always love to see another woman learning to love weight lifting." The trainer, Christopher, out of politeness asked me, "Why is that?" ...

Little did he know just what an opening he offered me. I stopped moving around the cage to change weights and took a minute to really LOOK at the two people that were about to be my unwitting audience for a moment. Chris is young, tall, fit and confident. Rhonda (I later found out) was middle-aged, heavy, in ill fitted clothing, and very much unsure of her choice to try this new thing. " I used to be nearly  300lbs and had a number of health issues."

A quick round of "Really??"s went around.

"Then I found strength sports, or rather, they found me. First throwing the Scottish Games, then gradually lifting. It has changed my life, for the better. It is hard, and brutal on the body some days, but I always feel better for having done it. It has lead me to a better community to share my improved life with. And, it will for you too. Struggle on with it, you will improve." Handshakes and introductions all around and back to our workouts.

Chris approached me later to ask some additional questions and to offer me another very sincere handshake of thanks.

Some days it is good to look back and remember how hard it was to start - keeps me from quitting.

The Old Guard: BECAUSE I SAID SO!

A core member of HASA and rock in the Kansas throwing community, Dave Glasgow is a name any aspiring thrower in the fly over states should know by heart. Open, honest, and ever ready with a laugh Dave hosts a number of games, and has his hand in the strength community on a lot of levels. Please allow me to present Dave Glasgow, ladies and gentlemen! This article will be presented without edits exactly as the man himself speaks, and types all his communications - OUT LOUD, BECAUSE HE SAID SO!

How did you find highland games?
 I THINK THE GAMES FOUND ME, ACTUALLY. IN THE MID -80s, WE ATTENDED A SCOTTISH FESTIVAL IN COLORADO. I SAW THE THROWERS, THOUGHT I MIGHT LIKE TO TRY THAT, AND THEN FORGOT ABOUT IT. IT WAS NOT TILL 1999 THAT I FINALLY GOT STARTED. I’M DAMNED IF I REMEMBER WHY I STARTED THEN!! HOWEVER, I HAVE SAID THAT THE GAMES, FOR REASONS I WILL NOT GO INTO HERE, SAVED MY LIFE. THAT IS A FACT. 

When did you start throwing? 
MAC IN 1999. I SHOWED UP AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO OR EXPECT. I WAS SHEPHERDED THRU THE DAY BY BILL SCRUGGS, THE FATHER (OR ONE OF THEM, ANYWAY) OF THE MASTERS WORLD HIGHLAND GAMES CHAMPIONSHIPS. FROM THEN ON, I WAS SINGLE-MINDED!! I FOUND A NEW HOME!! I MADE MY OWN EQUIPMENT, PRACTICED MY ASS OFF AND I WAS ON MY WAY!! (VISITOR IN TOWN: ‘HOW DO YOU GET TO CARNEGIE HALL’?LOCAL: ‘PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE’.)

Who was your biggest coach/mentor/advocate? 
THAT’S SIMPLE! GUNNER, MY WIFE HAS BEEN MY ROCK. SHE HAS BEEN THERE FROM THE GET GO AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGED, SUPPORTED AND DONE A LOT OF THE ‘GRUNT’ WORK THAT MAKES A DAY OF THROWING JUST THAT MUCH EASIER FOR ME.

HOWEVER, COACH WISE, I’LL GIVE CUDOS TO JOHN GALLAGHER. I HOOKED UP WITH HIM IN ’06. I THREW SHOT IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE. I THOUGHT I KNEW HOW TO THROW. TEN MINUTES WITH HIM SHOWED ME I WAS AN INFANT IN THE THROWS WORLD. I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT HE IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE BEST COACH/TRAINER IN HIGHLAND GAMES TODAY. EVERYTIME I HOOK UP WITH HIM, I LEARN SOMETHING NEW. FOR THOSE WANTING QUALITY,

NO NONSENSE INSTRUCTION, ACCEPT NO OTHER. 

Is your family involved in the Highland Games, as well? 
ABSOLUTELY!! AS I SAID, GUNNER IS WITH ME AT EVERY GAMES AND HELPS WITH MY AD DUTIES. MY DAUGHTER, AMBER, CAUGHT THE FEVER AND HAS BEEN THROWING FOR 3 YEARS. NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN IS MY GRANDSON, J.A. WHETSTONE. HE IS TEN AND THERE IS NOT MUCH OF HIM BUT HIS ENTHUSIASM IS UNBEATABLE!! 

What was your athletic background before Games? 
WOW. I HAVE TRIED IT ALL. BASEBALL,  BASKETBALL, SOCCER, WRESTLING  TRACK AND FIELD. I DID SOME POWER LIFTING BACK  IN THE SEVENTIES BUT I WAS NOT VERY GOOD AT ALL. I HAVE WEIGHT LIFTED SINCE I  WAS A KID AND THAT, AFTER THE GAMES, IS WHAT I REALLY ENJOY. I HAVE ALWAYS  CONSIDERED MYSELF ‘ATHLETIC’; HOWEVER, I AM MEDIOCRE, AT BEST.

Which Games are your favorites? Why so? 
EASY. MAC!! OF COURSE!! BEST VENUE, BEST AWARDS, BEST FOOD,…YOU NAME IT. PLUS, IT IS, WHAT JERRY VAN DYKE TOLD ME ONE TIME,  MY ‘HOME GAMES’.

What is a common mistake you see people make in the
games that could be easily corrected? 
VERY SIMPLY PUT….. TOO MUCH LIFTING, NOT ENOUGH THROWING/ATTENTION TO TECHNIQUE!! THERE IS JUST TOO MUCH EMPHASIS PUT ON BUILDING THE ‘MAX’ AMOUNT OF STRENGTH. I READ A GOOD ARTICLE THE OTHER DAY. THERE WAS A COMPARISON OF STATIC STRENGTH AS OPPOSED TO EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH. THE 
STATIC STRENGTH IS A TRACTOR. THE EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH IS THE FERRARI. FOR THROWING TO WORK, YOU NEED TO BE A FERRARI. I FELT THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT COMPARISON AND I SAW THE RELEVANCE TO THROWING IMMEDIATELY.
 How did you transition into being an AD as well as a thrower? 
WHEN AL MEYERS RESIGNED AS AD AT MAC IN ’07, I DID’NT WANT TO SEE MAC DIE. SO, I ASKED GUNNER
IF I SHOULD TAKE ON THE AD DUTIES WITH THE STIPULATION THAT I GET THE VENTRESS’ (TERRI AND LARRY) INVOLVED AS WELL. SHE SAID THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY SHE COULD SEE THAT IT WOULD WORK!!! FROM THERE, IT JUST SNOWBALLED AND HERE WE ARE. I DO THREE A YEAR, NOW. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IT GETS EASIER, AND IN SOME WAYS, IT IS.  HOWEVER, EVERY YEAR BRINGS NEW CHANGES AND CHALLENGES.

Can you tell us what it takes to put on the games you host? Give us
an idea of the prep involved. 

PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT TAKES. IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD NEVER BITCH ABOUT SOME TRIVIAL THING THEY THINK IS AN ISSUE. THE VENTRESS’, GUNNER AND I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO PUT ON A QUALITY EVENT,
BECAUSE WE ARE COMPETITORS, AS WELL. OUR PHILOSOPHY IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, EFFICIENT, AND FUN GAMES THAT IS WORTHY OF THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO SPEND THEIR MONEY, TIME AND
EFFORT TO ATTEND. WE FEEL THAT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO THE THROWER. NOTHING LESS. EVERY YEAR, WE STRIVE TO MAKE OUR GAMES JUST THAT MUCH BETTER, IN SOME WAY, THAN THE YEAR BEFORE. WE ARE NOT ARROGANT ENOUGH TO THINK WE HAVE ALL THE  ANSWERS. THEREFORE, WE LISTEN TO WHAT THE THROWERS SAY, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE  AND STRIVE TO MAKE CHANGES THAT MAKE SENSE TO BETTER THE PRODUCT.

THE ACTUAL PREP STARTS MONTHS IN ADVANCE. FOOD, AWARDS, SHIRTS, JUDGES, EQUIPMENT…YOU CAN’T JUST HALF ASS THIS OR IT WILL SHOW AND THE THROWERS WILL TELL YOU WHERE O STORE IT AND GO TO SOME OTHER VENUE. WE REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS AND I LIKE TO THINK THAT WE DON’T OVERLOOK ANYTHING. BRINGING ALL THIS TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME TAKES COORDINATION, TIMING AND LUCK. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU HAVE THE STAFF SURROUNDING YOU THAT I HAVE, THAT SEEMS TO MAKE IT FAIRLY EASY. I WOULD, TRULY, HATE TO TRY AND PULL ONE OF THESE EVENTS OFF BY MYSELF.

What keeps you involved in the games after all this time?
NOW AND AGAIN, I GET A CALL FROM SOME YOUNG MAN OR LADY. THEY WANT TO GET STARTED IN THE GAMES
AND ARE LOOKING FOR DIRECTION. I ALWAYS SAY, ‘COME TO ME, MY CHILD!!’ WHEN THEY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THEIR FIRST GAMES, MOST TIMES, THEY COME UP TO ME, SHAKE MY HAND AND THANK ME FOR MY HELP. THAT’S WHAT KEEPS ME INVOLVED!!! THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT WORTH WHILE. THAT’S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. PASSING THE INFORMATION DOWN, TO PROPAGATE THE SPECIES, AS IT WERE.


 What is your biggest obstacle in the Games? 
HAHAHAHA I’M NOT THIRTY ANYMORE!!!

 Who inspires you as a thrower? 
THE COMPETITOR THAT STRIVES TO IMPROVE, BE THEY AN ‘A’ THROWER OR ‘C’THROWER, THAT WILL NEVER GIVE UP IN THE QUEST FOR THE BIG THROWS, ALWAYS LOOKING TO PUSH THAT PR OUT THERE JUST A LITTLE BIT FARTHER. THE ONE WHO HAS THE BALLS (MALE OR FEMALE) TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE.

 If you could give one tidbit of advice to newer throwers what pearl of wisdom would you leave them with? 
SEEK OUT QUALITY INSTRUCTION. DON’T BE AFFAID TO SPEND SOME CASH TO GET IT. WATCH, LISTEN, ANALYZE, ASK QUESTIONS, PRACTICE. OBSERVE THROWERS YOU DON’T THINK ARE THAT GOOD. YOU CAN LEARN WHAT NOT TO DO FROM THEM!! YOU CAN LEARN FROM ANYBODY!! I TOLD ONE INDIVIDUAL ONE TIME THAT THERE WOULD COME A TIME WHEN I COULD NO LONGER HELP THEM (AS MY THROWS INVENTORY IS LIMITED) AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEEK OTHER PERSONS TO TAKE THEM FURTHER. I SAID I WOULD, ABSOLUTELY, NOT TAKE OFFENCE! I MEANT IT!! 

SOME YEARS AGO, I WORKED FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON. HE SAID SOMETHING THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET. “NOBODY HAS A LOCK ON ALL THE KNOWLEDGE!” APPLY THAT TO YOUR THROWING/TRAINING AND YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG! PROMISE!!

What are some of the changes you have seen in the games over the years? 
THE ONE MAJOR THING I SEE IS THE COMPETITION HAS GOTTEN SOOOO MUCH BETTER!!!  ESPECIALLY THE WOMEN!!  WHEN I FIRST STARTED, THE MASTERS WERE NOT WHAT THEY ARE NOW.   THE WOMEN WERE MORE OF A SOCIAL CLUB THAN THROWERS.  YACK, YACK, YACK….  I ABSOLUTELY HATED HAVING TO THROW WITH THE WOMEN WHEN THE MASTERS WERE PAIRED WITH THEM (BACK THEN IT WAS, “OH, IT’S JUST THE MASTERS AND THE WOMEN.  WHO CARES??  JUST PUT THEM WHEREVER…."

NOW, THE WOMEN ARE ATHLETES!!  THEY ARE FOCUSED, SERIOUS, TRAIN YEAR ROUND AND ARE A HELL OF A LOT OF FUN TO BE WITH!!  THESE GIRLS ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE!!

ALL ACROSS THE BOARD, THE CLASSES ARE BETTER.  THIS IS GREAT TO SEE AS IT SHOWS THAT THE GAMES ARE BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AS THEY SHOULD.  I THINK THE FESTIVALS ARE MORE IN TUNE TO THE ATHLETES NOW BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF THE ATHLETES INVOLVED.
Where will you be throwing this season? 
I START MY SEASON AT THE MASTERS WORLDS IN ALBUQUERQUE I MAY.  FROM THERE, I HAVE NOT REALLY DECIDED.  PROBABLY KC, LUCAS, WICHITA (IF THAT MATERIALIZES), JOPLIN, TULSA, BUFFALO.  LEDAIG AND MAC. (FOR SURE!!  HAHA)  I’LL JUST HAVE TO SEE.  IF I AM NOT THROWING AT ONE OF THESE, I WILL BE THERE IN SOME FORM, I’M SURE.

How did you get into the habit of giving out nicknames?  
IN MY WORLD, A NICKNAME IS THE ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT A PERSON CAN GIVE YOU OR THAT  YOU CAN RECEIVE.  IT SHOWS CAMARADERIE, RESPECT AND A CLOSENESS THAT WE NEED MORE OF.  PLUS, I ENJOY DOING IT!  THERE IS A LINE FROM THE MOVIE ‘COOLHAND LUKE’ WHERE ‘DRAGLINE’(GEORGE KENNEDY) SAYS TO LUKE(PAUL NEWMAN), “YOU AIN’T NOBODY ‘TILL DRAGLINE GIVES YOU YOUR ROAD NAME!!”  MAYBE, SOMEDAY, THAT WILL BE THE SAME FOR 
ME!!  

The Old Guard

Everyone has their dream team, those folks that stand behind them and have shown them the light. These men and women may not be folks you know, or names you have heard, but they should be. They are the heart of the games, and have ushered in more throwers than I can put names to. These are the "boots on the ground" style leaders that make our sport happen year in and year out.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting some stories and interviews with the folks I know that have shaped the face of highland games as I know it. The ones that have spent countless hours doing the thankless work of ushering in the newbies, and in particular crafting those local games we all enjoy. Keep an eye out, and learn these names folks.

The Long Road to "Only Six"

“Only six women in this February’s Kick Off Games, huh?” This phrase or something very like it was said in all innocence to me recently. After my surprise passed it occurred to me that it was a good thing that one of our new throwers saw that as a smaller women’s class. The assumption of “Only Six” is a clear indicator that Texas games have a healthy number of women throwers these days.

The key to that last sentence is contained in the final pair of words “these days”, this was not always the case. Let us use the WABAC machine and go back to 2008. This was the year I began traveling to more games, mostly within Texas. To my surprise I discovered a distinct dearth of female throwers, and several contests that simply didn't have a women's class at all. *blink blink* Checking my calendar for a year stamp I was simply astonished to find that no, I hadn't fallen through a time slip and wound up back in the 50s, these guys really didn't think women wanted to play.  Frustrated to find festivals within driving distance that did not allow me the chance to compete I researched alternative locations that threw on the same weekend to attend the next season. Stubborn can be a virtue where I come from. 

It get's better, y'all.

A little birdie informed me that women's classes had been referred to as "Bad Product" and unreliable. Something along the lines of we would show up once or twice and then just disappear. Meaning the ADs would have a class of 4-5 one year and none the next, so they couldn't plan or budget accordingly. Fair enough, I can see the business side of that. With the idea of proving I was serious in mind I took my show on the road - Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Louisiana in 2009. Took all my own gear, came early, stayed late, judged, shagged weights, pulled tape, shook hands, talked up the crowd, threw as the only woman on the field and kept improving my game. The next year was more of the same 14 games and 5 states, including the Big Show at Pleasanton. No one could say I wasn't serious about my game, and the folks that called me bad product before started asking me for help on recruiting more women. 

For the last two years I have maintained 13-14 games a season, with at least one new state a year. Lots of thank you letters have been written. Numerous training trips to folks that know better than me how to get this done. Continuous outreach to the female strength community locally and on line via blogs, NASGA, Facebook and direct email has yielded numerous new throwers . Taking time to explore other strength sports, venues and festivals to find new converts and new avenues to display our sport has been rewarding as well. One on one coaching with the folks that express even an inkling of interest in the games has also buffed up our ranks. The unending support of my local crew with North Texas Heavies and TCAA has helped tremendously. (also have to make a nod to Mike Baab here)

The road from "bad product" to "only six" has been an uphill rough climb. It was worth every blow to the ego, busted callus and torn kilt, because no other woman is going to run into that same barrier in my home state. 

North Texas Kick Off Games

Saturday saw thirty athletes start the highland games season under the Texas sun at the North Texas Kick Off Games in Fort Worth. The Texas Celtic Athletic Association crew, of which I am a proud member, started the day off bright and early at 7:30AM with set up and breakfast goodies. By 9:30 the field was ready for all four flights of throwers.

It was a day full of firsts for the TCAA. We hosted our first Pro Class. Mike Dickens and Spencer Tyler debuted with NTKO as their first Pro Games. In addition to growing the field of throwers, we also wrangled our first round of vendors. In the future we are hoping to expand our events in that vein as well.

Field records for our February games went down all over the field. All the Pro best will be our new field records for future Pro Classes. Bob Kneip snagged the Master’s Class Open Stone field record by over two feet with a toss of 38’7.5”.Cleaning up four new field records in the Women’s Class was Mona “The Mastodon”Malec , with open stone, light hammer, heavy hammer and weight over bar. Ladies, watch out she will take down the Master’s Women’s WOB with 28 this year, she was kissing 16’2” this past weekend, that record won’t stand long.

Three of our four classes were wrapped up and enjoying sponsor provided beer from Rhar Brewery by 3PM. This gave them all a chance to sit and enjoy watching Isaac Burchett chase his own brand new world record in sheaf, another record that won’t stand much longer if he keeps at it. Our men’s open class sported a total of 16 throwers, and still managed to finish all throws with enough daylight left for them to enjoy some down time while we packed away the gear.

As you are likely aware, the highland games community has been given the opportunity to help out one of our very special fans, Duncan Lawrence. The folks at North Texas Kick Off were able to raise another nice chunk of change for his March Of Dimes fund raiser, and will be sending those funds over shortly to help him help others. For those that haven’t yet heard his story check out his video - http://vimeo.com/59775346and his site http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=4675054&ct=4&w=5932108&u=SupportDuncan

Thanks so much to all who attended. Y’all
come back now, ya hear?

FT WORTH KICKOFF GAMES - Feb 23, 2013

This weekend is the first Texas Games of the 2013 season (I think?), and I’m excited.   Miss B is going to be judging and running the games as part of the North Texas Heavies Group (www.facebook.com/northtexasheavies). 

I, however, will be enjoying the day throwing my little heart out and messing around with the great women throwers that are going to be there. Lots of fun people have signed up.

Date: Saturday, Feb 23, 2013

Time – Throwing starts at 9:00 am and should run all day until 3 – 4pm (aprox.)

Location: Ft. Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Pkwy,  Fort Worth, TX 76109

This is a great venue, lots of shade trees, lions roaring in the background, and the people just can't be beat.  I'm really looking forward to it.  If you are in the area and need a fun afternoon activity, bring yourself and your family down for a bit.

Scotlands Favorite Son - Rabbie Burns

In the theme of Scottish things here on the blog, This Friday (Jan 25th) is the traditional Burns Night Supper to celebrate the life and work of one of Scotlands most famous poets, Robert Burns.

You might know him best on New Years Eve, as he is the person who penned Auld Lang Syne.

The Husband and I are going to be heading to a local restaurant, FEAST, that is having a Burns Night special. Most cities and places will have something similar, so I highly suggest that if you can, find a Burns Night supper in your area and attend!  Haggis is actually really quite yummy AND you get to wear your kilt! 

The traditional night includes lots of toasts, whiskey and the Piping of the Haggis followed by the slicing of the Haggis while reciting the Burns "Address to a Haggis".

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o' need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmaist! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,
Are bent like drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
"Bethankit" hums.
Is there that o're his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi' perfect scunner,
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him ower his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his wallie nieve a blade,
He'll mak it whistle;
An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thristle.

Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinkin ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,
Gie her a haggis!