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!

Starting Lifting after Surgery

HELLO out there. Friendly Neighborhood Tammy posting after a long break.

Tuesday this week I had my first session back from hernia surgery (October last year). Mine was a hiatal hernia, not a lower abdominal hernia, but recovery from any intestinal surgery was significantly more difficult then I had imagined.  

3 x 5 reps of front squats – bar only (45lbs)

3 x 5 reps of bench press – 65lbs

Mildly pathetic, but you have to start back somewhere.

I’ve also been focusing on weight loss for the last 5 months. Now that I’m 40+lbs down since I last was lifting, my body is moving very differently.  chiefly, I’m weak as a newborn foal, and about as wobbly.  I’m actually a little worried that I’m going to have trouble with my events in the highland games now that everything is so much smaller.   Not a bad problem to have, but, worrisome.

I had talked about goal-setting with Brittney, but since life has seriously been getting in the way of enjoyment for the last 8 months, and currently no break on the horizon (we are selling our house and will have to move this year), I don’t have much energy left for any serious commitments to a training schedule that involves "regular like" practicing of my throwing.

Such is life. 

I have most of the basics down. My technique is often poor, ham-handed, and more BF&I (brute force and ignorance) than finesse, but I manage to get through, and damn it, I have a good time doing it.  So my goals this year are pretty basic:

1. Lift weights twice a week
2. Get on my bike three times a week
3. Walk the dog and enjoy what bright spots I can between working, cleaning, and (fingers crossed) packing and moving. Most of those bright spots will be weekends in the wilds of Texas on a large flat grassy spaces, with the  enjoyable people of the Highland Games, and their spouses, friends, and pets.

With that said, I’m currently printing off my first entry of the year – North Texas Kickoff Games.  Feb 23^rd in Fort Worth, TX at the excellent Zoo fields.  A fantastic day and I can’t wait to go out and give this new/old/repaired body a run around, visit with the great people of the games, and who knows, maybe even get a sheaf PR.

I Tried The Kool-Aid

To say that I am hesitant to write about my latest “gym” experience on this particular site is a wild understatement, but it happened, so here it is. As part of my holiday gifts and festivities I ended up with a short term membership to a local CrossFit. Being an open minded kid, I thought, it can’t be as bad as the press it gets from the strength community, so I will give it a shot.

After a few classes I can say I get the appeal to the masses. The attitude is one of acceptance, and as positive as a muppet covered in rainbows. The class times work with my schedule most days. The format is simple enough to
follow, and instructors/trainers are thick on the ground to help with any questions. This particular location offers oly lifting twice a week, and the instructor has some cred. (Caleb Ward) One of the other trainers has done voice work as both Batman and Superman, lemme say that can be a bit of a laugh during workouts. The folks that attend are friendly, welcoming and helpful, for the majority. We all know every gym has a fair share of jerks, but they are the exception not the rule.

Like all workouts, you get out of it what you put into it. Trust me when I say, I get a sweat going and am fully winded by the end of the sessions. The drawback to that is simply that the sessions are too short for me to feel like I have done a full workout.

With all that in mind, why won’t I be sticking around for all the kipping and WODs I can stand? The limitations of the facility and the workouts. I need more lifting time in a week than they offer to make my goals this season.
Not to mention the cost, 250 a month at this box, and that is without one-on-one training or the oly classes. It is Resolutionist Season, and they place is
packed, so learning names and faces is tough on the staff, I get it. However, after a few weeks I am DONE explaining to these folks that “No, as a matter of fact, that isn’t too heavy for me to start with.” There isn’t a slam ball in the facility that is too heavy for me to get through the whole WOD, so hush darling, mama is working here.

Would I do it again? You bet, it was fun! I always left with a smile on my face.

Would I let it be the only method I used to get to my particular goals? Not a chance.

Will I steal whole-sale some of the WODs and use them as warm-ups or replacement cardio? Regularly.

Would I recommend it to others? Depends on their end goals.

Humble Pie... tasty!

Humble pie, two servings, one fork, please! While the deload was full of lessons, it seems my education has just begun. Thank goodness for patient coaches and loud music.

This week the strength training begins in earnest. In an effort to get it kicked off right, I took the opportunity to indulge my curiosity about the power factor. For the few folks that don't know what this little gizmo is, it is a tool to measure the speed at which you move the implement. The trick is to move it at a meter per second. This may not sound particularly fast, until you try it. Gave this a go on pulls and pushes and discovered numerous flaws, both with my perceptions and my lifting form. Getting those corrected was serving one of humble pie. Thanks Duncan! Not sure if it was generosity or his sadistic side that prompted Duncs to loan me this toy until I get the feel of proper speed, but it is set up in the garage awaiting tonight's lifts. Weee!

The whip cream on that particular serving of humble pie: attempting to learn to do pull-ups. Having never done a single dead-hang pull-up in my life, this was more than a touch hilarious. (yet another exercise that is not aided by my laughing at my failures) Still haven't managed it, hooray for being bottom heavy, but now have the tools I need to get there. Bonus: lots of my pulling has been done with my back of late, and it shows.

Second serving of tasty humility came last night when the Doctore prescribed some large sets to max for squats. To say this is below expectations would be a WILD (like lions on the savannah, wild) understatement. I am ganna call this fuel for the fire and just get down to it from here on out. The amount of clanging, banging and swearing did prompt a minor rearrangement of gear in the gym, so future sessions should be a bit more down to business and less tripping over my own feet. Time to meet the coach's goals and mine.

The carmel drizzle on this piece of mortification munchies: an hour of barre work and partner stretching at the dance studio, followed by thirty minutes of floor work (leaps, jumps, turns, spins, tucks ...) Evil dance instructor remains the Queen of all things Surprisingly and Subtly Painful. Today I am singing her praises, as I am not presently a single block of ache.

Much to be done before next season.

Gorillas!

With all the kindness of a typical 400lb gorilla, several of my training partners informed me that I needed a break. It may have been implied that if I didn't take one they might just have to give me one, though the choice was mine on which arm. Thus, there was a deload. That particular word remains something of a mystery to me, since it seems to imply something different to everyone. My take? A pause in all training for a brief period.

Day to day I changed my mind on how I felt about it. Started my "Deload" on Saturday the 17th. It was odd trying to find out what to do with all my time, until my body decided for me. Sleep was the answer, lots of sleep and right now, if you please. Falling asleep at the merest mention of a soft surface was a new experience that lasted for the first 3-4 days. Between sleep and naps (one particularly memorable unplanned nap in the tub) I was clocking about 10-11 hours of sleep a day.  Clearly the gorillas had been right, and I needed some rest.

What else was I to do with all this spare time once the narcolepsy passed? Oh, let's see if I still like trashy food. Pizza? Nope. Enchiladas? Nope. Queso? Nope. Frou-frou coffee? Nope. Found myself longing for salad and fish, perhaps a grapefruit. Huh, odd, you mean to say that my brain has been lying to me all this time telling me how much I miss this trashy stuff, but now it tastes awful, or worse bland?  Sheesh, the gorillas were right again!

Follow that up with a Thanksgiving full of family, friends, feasting and folderol.  By the weekend I was chomping at the bit for something to do, so decided to try a few lifts with some of the kids from Full Throttle who were prepping for a strong man. Having not gone heavy in the gym since the summer off season, I was sure this would be more of a laughable hang out session than a true work session.  A sudden onset of giggles while under the yoke was the only laughable situation all day. As it turns out that I matched my PRs in a few lifts for reps, and still rode my bike home. You guessed it, gorillas 3, short-stack 0.

Lesson learned! No chest thumping necessary, my gorillas, deloads will become a regular part of the program. It seems that all-go-no-quit made for a very cranky and mostly useless me. This break offered me the clarity and rest to reset some goals and expectations, and start afresh. Now, to go get my calluses back!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

Austin, there is no place like home...

 If I clicked my ruby slippers (or cleats) three times and hopefully whispered the phrase, there is no place like home, the winds of Oz would send me right back to central Texas. Growing up just down the highway from Austin, this festival always feels a bit like going home again, and not just because it is the most likely event for my family to attend. The music, the people and the over all feel of Austin Celtic Festival reminds me of all the small town festivals attended in my youth.

http://www.austincelticfestival.com/

This year the fest expanded to include a few other Celtic athletic events, Gaelic Football and Hurling, in addition to Highland Games and dance. Who in their great and powerful wisdom decided that more flying monkeys were needed for this show, I don't know, but I certainly approve. It was nice to get a quick chance to support the other styles of athletics out there.

This show offers plenty of vendors and historical displays, complete with a viking camp, or as I like to call it, Munchkin Land. Food is second to none with more than a dozen different shops to chose from. Guinness, Strongbow, Fireman's 4, Smithwick's, Shakespeare Stout and at least a handful of others can be found on tap at the two large bar areas. Don't miss out on the kettle corn and the fresh squeezed lemonade!

The highland games field is fairly close to the main music stage, so we are provided with an all day ebb and flow of music. The true highlight is when the Wizard behind the curtain of this show, Mike Baab, picks up a mic and starts riffing on all the throwers.

Saturday saw 27 throwers on the field, Open Class, Women's Class and Masters. Sunday would see the same setup with different faces. With so many throwers and limited space, it is only a six event day; weights, stones, cabers and wob. All six of the women that threw on Saturday had a strong showing, from our fresh faced newbie Blare to the champ of the day Liv. Spencer Tyler laid out a personal best with LWFD at something along the lines of 89 feet. Baab always has a herd of newbies, and they bring a lot of enthusiasm to the game.

Yours truly had a fair-to-middling game throwing right about par. The highlight of the day was getting to wrangle with a 17 foot 90lb caber. Qualifier moved me on to the women's caber, which then moved me onto this gnarly beast. A springy cedar caber that had a wicked roll, first attempt ended up in a bail, second attempt ended up in about a 20 degree throw off just four fingers, and the final attempt was a nice easy pick with only a final 60 degree. *sigh* I will face off against it again this weekend in Salado!

The Story of The Shorts!

"What are you wearing under your kilt?”
This is usually when I flash some thigh to the crowd and display my ruffled undershorts. Cue laughter.

Rumba butt bloomers are not part of the typical gamer's uniform, and they generate a lot of questions at most Celtic festivals. Here is the story
behind my "signature short".

I found highland games via the Ren Faire where I was a performer as part of the cast. Think of it as one of the guys dressed as Mickey or the girls that play the Princesses at Disney, we are there as part of the scenery to make folks interact and laugh. We did a demo show twice a day of the highland games, in all our ren faire garb. The theatre geek is strong with this one, no doubt. Never one to miss the chance to accessorize, I snagged a pair of "petty pants" for my first games. During that game I fell more than once, being made of grace as I am. My comment "If you are ganna flash your ass at the crowd all day, might as well make sure it looks good."


These days I don't fall down much, but I do work the crowd. Ruffles and lace are a fast way to snag any little girls attention, it shows a softer side to the
games. Dressing the part and playing to the crowd is part of the gig. One must always remember, we throw rocks and sticks for fun, never take it too seriously.

Our Northern Sister - Alison Tostevin

I launched my first implement 27 years ago, I quit throwing 12 years ago, and I started living again 5 summers ago, on a grassy field 15 miles away from where I had previously ended my throwing career.

Highland Games literally changed my whole outlook on life. I started and had success pretty early on throwing shot puts and discuses all over the place. My travels on the track and field train took me from one corner of the US to the other and then back again. I saw and experienced things that my tiny shipbuilding town in Maine could never have offered me. Track and Field helped to pay my way through college and introduced me to some of my best friends, but in the end it left me physically and mentally defeated. In May of my Sr. year of college at Tufts University I took what I believed to be my last competitive throw, and I couldn’t have been more HAPPY. I left my rotational
shoes on the ground and I didn’t look back.

Fast forward 8 years, I was about to turn 30, my life was, how shall we say this, lacking something? Then I met a gentleman by the name of Bruce Coal, he worked at my mother’s school, and he was the former athletic director for the Maine Highland games and the current executive director of the whole Maine Highland Games festival. He put a bug in my ear in September, “hey Alison, I know you can throw you should come out and train with us.” “Hey Alison, we have never had a local woman compete in the games, you could be the first!” “Hey Alison.”, “Hey Alison.” He was relentless, and at first I wanted nothing to do with it. I was retired, and I hated to throw, Right? But as the snow flew and the buds on the trees grew I started to get that feeling, that itch. Maybe just maybe what my life was lacking was something to throw around. In May of 2008 I decided to sign up for the games. I decided to get back to the gym and start lifting so that I wouldn’t hurt myself throwing. I joined a small group of throwers anchored by Bruce and they taught me all that they could. Within a few weeks I felt like I had been born again. I even decided to do a game prior to the Maine games. In July I competed for the first time at Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival in North Hampton Ma, right down the road from where I went to college at UMass Amherst. It was love at first Braemar; everyone was so welcoming and helpful there was no pressure; it was the complete opposite of track and field.

Last weekend I competed for the second time at the Woman’s Highland Team Challenge put on by the North Texas Heavies. I couldn’t wait to get back there this year, 2011 had been one of my all-time favorite competitions. I mean I bought my plane ticket back in July. It was a bit unfortunate for me this year in that I have been battling some nagging annoying injuries. So I took much of the month of September off to see if I could get pain free again. I was able to throw through the first four events with little to no pain, and a fair amount of success, nearing or exceeding my PR’s for the season. I even had what was described to me and a huge foul in the LWD. A far cry to a few weeks prior when walking hurt. I put together some good distances and was even lucky enough to win a Landrich LWD by getting second in overall distance LW and HW combined. Yah you read that right I WON A FREAKING WEIGHT! Who has prizes like that? The TCAA does that’s who!!!

After the first four events it was kind of downhill for me, but you know what, it doesn’t matter. It actually allowed me to be more of a social butterfly. The past two years the ladies I have met in Ft. Worth have been some of the best people I have met in all of Highland. It’s a cast of characters alright, filled to the brim with sass, crass, and an ass covered in orange bloomers. I am honored to call these ladies from all over the country my friends. Really isn’t that what it’s all about. I encourage anyone and everyone to get their butts to Texas next October. Y’all don’t know what you’re missing. If it’s not enough to talk about the amazing prizes, great goody bags, and southern hospitality, can I interest you in the after party. I know a cowboy from Kansas, and he will teach you how to two step.

On a more personal note I was also floored to be awarded a special month’s personal training with James Bullock of Warrior Sciences out of Joplin MO. This was not by chance, it was because someone took the time to get to know me, understand who I was and where I was coming from, and presented me with a tool to get to where I am going. I cried, I don’t like to admit it, but it happened, the gesture was overwhelming.

So in the end I may have grown up with track and field. I may even forget and call games, "meets", from time to time, but Highland games they are my soul, they chose me to grow old with, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

You can find Alie T's scores here ~ http://www.nasgaweb.com/dbase/resultsathlete3.asp?athletename=Tostevin%2CAlison&athleteyear=2012&type=nasga&x=29&y=1

You can find James Bullock of Warrior ~ http://www.warriorsciences.com/

Meet Sara "The Greek" Kolokotsas

      Well hello there,  my name is Sara Kolokotsas.  I am 30 years old and if you can not tell from the name, I'm Greek.  Currently I am working with my parents at their deli.  I know what you are thinking; a Greek family that owns a restaurant, no way.  Right now I am in the process of  earning my Masters in Social Work.  Actually, I have been in school the better part of my 20's and now into my 30's.  If being a college student could be classified as a job, I would have it nailed down.  I guess you could call me a nerd, but I see that as a good thing.

I have always considered my self somewhat of an athlete.  So when I had the opportunity to attend some practices for the Highland games I was pretty excited.  After one practice my friend talked me into signing up for the Celtober Cowtown Highland Games.  Im not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.I haven't competed in a serous athletic even since college.  And I think people could sense how anxious I was because they kept telling how nice everyone was who competed in these games.  I just assumed they were trying to ease my nerves, but they were not.  The people I met were simply amazing.  I have never been apart of an athlete competition where the athletes were so supportive of one another.  So now I am addicted to the sport of Highland Games, and I can not wait until my second competition.

As ever photo credits to Larry Ventress at Pioneer Photography. http://pioneerphotography.photoreflect.com/store/store.aspx

You can find Sara's scores here:

http://www.nasgaweb.com/dbase/resultsathlete3.asp?athletename=Kolokotsas%2CSara&athleteyear=2012&type=nasga&x=19&y=7



Quick Note from Matt Hand of Strong and Far

Hello my beautiful Yellow Roses of Texas, 

I would love to welcome you outstanding highland athletes to the Strong and Far Nation. My friend Dom Gonzalez and I both being retired NCAA athletes, and current strength athletes wanted to create a place where all the strength sports could live together and grow the world of strength athletics. Bringing together Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, Strongman, Olympic Lifting, and in your case (and mine) the Highland Games.

We have had a really good start to our endeavor with help from some of the most premier athletes in their sports. One of which you know really well in Duncan McCallum. And also we have had interest from world renown powerlifters and olympic lifters as well as a guest spot from the World Champ himself Matt Vincent. 

So what does this for you, StrongandFar.com is a place where you, as athletes, can ask questions, answer questions, watch training videos, and pick up new and great ideas for you to get better as a Highland Gamer. As well as being able to promote yourself on a national and international level to get to new games and meet and/or recruit new athletes. We encourage interaction and the sharing of ideas so that the sports grow and you The Strong and Far nation grows as well

So, If getting better at the Highland Games or any strength sport is your goal, Then StrongandFar.com is the place for you!

Please take time to browse our website StrongandFar.com

Like us on facebook, facebook.com/strongandfar

and follow us on twitter and instagram @strongandfar

Thank You So Much For Reading,

StrongandFar.com Co-Founder

Matt Hand

Props to Brandy Richmond (rugby puns make me giggle)

13 October, 2012. 

The day began as many others before, with the alarm blaring DaRude's "Sandstorm" at 4:30am.  I leapt out of bed, hopped in the shower, and waited for my friend Sara "The Greek" to arrive.  Today was actually NOT like many other days; today was the day of my very first Highland Games competition.  To say my nerves were a wreck would be an understatement.  Sara and I made our way to Ft. Worth, unsure of what to expect... unsure if we had gotten ourselves involved with competition too early in our training (after all, we had only attended four practices).  Once we arrived, time seemed to pass in hyper speed – people welcoming us left and right – people telling us to go here and there for photos with sponsor advertisements – people overloading us with helpful information.  It was a whirlwind, but a fun one at that.

As I stepped into the trig for my first braemer stone throw, I glanced quickly at Britt (my awesome coach) and Sara for confirmation that, well, I wasn't going to make an absolute fool of myself.  Then, I felt this rush and made my first throw... it barely flew...I think the distance was 18 feet.  Disappointed in myself, I walked back to the girls to continue watching the others throw and observe their throwing forms.  I was welcomed with several people high fiving me and telling me each throw on this first day was a PR... this is how I tried to think of my first Games.  I still had moments where I was down on myself because I do not like to be the worst at events, but I had a BLAST and learned so much!  I tried out varying techniques from different girls to see what worked best for me and sought to improve each throw.

My favorite event of the day was definitely the hammer throw.  As of this point, I am only able to spin once; however, I think I will be able to throw it very far by working on my fitness and technique more.  Caber... oh, the dreaded caber... this beast of an event was held after lunch.  I looked at the qualification caber... stared at it long and hard... and internally hoped I would pass the qualification round.  I did not.  As upset as I was, everything turned out fine and I was able to watch the experienced ladies and fully cheer them on!  Let me just say, the wind was brutal, the sky was grey, it was raining, and I am amazed at every single lady who was able to flip the caber.

NOTE:  Our original caber broke (it was around 15 feet high and 65 pounds) so the qualifiers opted to throw the next highest caber (around 17 feet high and 80 pounds).

The day, as a whole, is classified as WINNING in my book.  I met a lot of fabulous people.  I discovered Highland Games to be a sport I'd like to continue with for as long as possible; everyone is truly like a member of the family.  It motivates me.  I want to better myself in order to be better with competitions.  I played basketball (6 years), soccer (9 years), participated in swim team, and have a red belt in taekwondo... I most recently played rugby for a few years.  The last time I felt such a drive to do well was playing rugby in 2010.  Although I am extremely overweight now, my inner athlete that I have buried for 10 years is struggling to get out.  I was nominated for a month's worth of training through James Bullock and I am anxious to start his program.  Keep watch for me... the Games season is trickling off but come February my scores will be much improved.  It is my goal to become one of the leading ladies in Highland Games.

 

You can find Brandy's scores here:

http://www.nasgaweb.com/dbase/resultsathlete3.asp?type=nasga&athletename=Richmond,Brandy&athleteyear=2012