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