So, practices are generally going very well. I have started the P90X workout program as of August 16th (yesterday) and it is going well also. I have been getting some soreness and fatigue in my throwing arm during practices, in which case I immediately stop throwing and do a cool down. I don't want to risk an injury when I'm not even at full strength! All in all things are going great and I am excited to be throwing again :)
I plan on taking short videos someday when I have a decent camcorder or just bring my laptop to practice. So that's something to look forward to.
Goodnight!
August 17, 2011
August 10, 2011
Getting Back My Bearings
Over the past few weeks I have been doing little throwing practices about every other day or every three days. After several years of not throwing I didn't want to jump into it again at a ridiculous pace.
I usually do a short but thorough warm up of jogging stretches, static stretches, and light throws I call "Picks". Gradually progressing from picks to one step throws and so on and so forth.
I have noticed great improvement throughout each practice session and also keep finding new things to work on. For example I do a good job of keeping my javelin arm straight behind me but noticed Ive developed a bad habit of flicking my wrist causing the jav to turn sideways in flight. So, I am doing well in some areas and others need work. Sounds like I'm a normal human being, ha ha!
All in all it feels fantastic to be throwing again!
I usually do a short but thorough warm up of jogging stretches, static stretches, and light throws I call "Picks". Gradually progressing from picks to one step throws and so on and so forth.
I have noticed great improvement throughout each practice session and also keep finding new things to work on. For example I do a good job of keeping my javelin arm straight behind me but noticed Ive developed a bad habit of flicking my wrist causing the jav to turn sideways in flight. So, I am doing well in some areas and others need work. Sounds like I'm a normal human being, ha ha!
All in all it feels fantastic to be throwing again!
August 9, 2011
My Javelin origins...
There is hardly a boy or girl on Earth who has not picked up a branch, broom handle or other pointy object and given it a great heave. That primal instinct comes naturally to all of us. The need to learn that defensive/offensive skill in handling a spear is rooted deep into our wiring.
During track meets, few events as much of a spectacle as the javelin throw. Watching the men and women launch the javelin into the air takes all of us back to a time when men threw the spear for survival. When being accurate with the implement meant life or death. A time when wars were put on hold for the ancient Olympic games, to ensure the safe travel of athletes and patrons. The graceful, yet stunningly powerful and primal motion of putting a javelin to flight captures the hearts of the young and old alike.
When I started participating in track and field in the 7th grade, throwing was probably the last thing on my mind. I was tall, had some muscle, but still kinda lanky from growing so fast. I wanted to run, I wanted to hurdle, and so I did! I ran the 200m dash, and 110m hurdles and did very well. My first exposure to throwing actually came at the beginning of that 7th grade season. I tried my hand at discus, but with no coaching or direction I threw poorly and lost interest, same with shot put, and the javelin. The javelin used in middle school was the Turbo Jav. We all mocked it's pseudo-Nerf dart appearance and vowed not to throw such a childish toy. So I stuck to running until the next year when I began to develop more muscle and control of my body. I only threw the shot put in 8th grade but I was beginning to take greater interest in throws, a trait that would carry through to high school.
I didn't participate in high school track my first year for God knows why. But, alas, in tenth grade I came back, started throwing disc and shot, and running 200m. Not until the end of that sophomore season did I try throwing my first real javelin. I was very excited to try a REAL javelin and not a turbo jav (although I do acknowledge their usefulness now). I had no training but watching others throw, and when my first little throw went a nice ways with a pleasant "thud!" into the ground, I was hooked for good. For the next two seasons the javelin dominated my track and field performance. I lived and breathed the javelin throughout the year, training and studying technique. I performed well enough, often placing 4th or higher in meets. The highest level of competition I achieved during school was regionals, but having my best throw of my life land outside the target area my high school career came to an end. My final high school PR was 170' 6". A respectable distance.
After high school ended I was invited to one invitational meet at Lewis & Clark college on Oregon. Many great throwers arrived to give it one more shot at greatness. This time the greatest throw of my life came in the form of a warm up throw. Landing in the mid 180's I swear I almost crapped myself. However, warm ups count for nothing, and my actual throws were less than impressive. In the end it was a lot of fun to throw at that meet and meet many great throwers.
So now, after 3 years of college and not throwing I am determined to retrain, and get back into the greatest sport on Earth. I have five months to spend at home weight lifting, running, eating right, throwing, and getting back into shape. I am very excited for what the future holds! Stay with me on this journey as I feel destined for greatness.
During track meets, few events as much of a spectacle as the javelin throw. Watching the men and women launch the javelin into the air takes all of us back to a time when men threw the spear for survival. When being accurate with the implement meant life or death. A time when wars were put on hold for the ancient Olympic games, to ensure the safe travel of athletes and patrons. The graceful, yet stunningly powerful and primal motion of putting a javelin to flight captures the hearts of the young and old alike.
When I started participating in track and field in the 7th grade, throwing was probably the last thing on my mind. I was tall, had some muscle, but still kinda lanky from growing so fast. I wanted to run, I wanted to hurdle, and so I did! I ran the 200m dash, and 110m hurdles and did very well. My first exposure to throwing actually came at the beginning of that 7th grade season. I tried my hand at discus, but with no coaching or direction I threw poorly and lost interest, same with shot put, and the javelin. The javelin used in middle school was the Turbo Jav. We all mocked it's pseudo-Nerf dart appearance and vowed not to throw such a childish toy. So I stuck to running until the next year when I began to develop more muscle and control of my body. I only threw the shot put in 8th grade but I was beginning to take greater interest in throws, a trait that would carry through to high school.
I didn't participate in high school track my first year for God knows why. But, alas, in tenth grade I came back, started throwing disc and shot, and running 200m. Not until the end of that sophomore season did I try throwing my first real javelin. I was very excited to try a REAL javelin and not a turbo jav (although I do acknowledge their usefulness now). I had no training but watching others throw, and when my first little throw went a nice ways with a pleasant "thud!" into the ground, I was hooked for good. For the next two seasons the javelin dominated my track and field performance. I lived and breathed the javelin throughout the year, training and studying technique. I performed well enough, often placing 4th or higher in meets. The highest level of competition I achieved during school was regionals, but having my best throw of my life land outside the target area my high school career came to an end. My final high school PR was 170' 6". A respectable distance.
After high school ended I was invited to one invitational meet at Lewis & Clark college on Oregon. Many great throwers arrived to give it one more shot at greatness. This time the greatest throw of my life came in the form of a warm up throw. Landing in the mid 180's I swear I almost crapped myself. However, warm ups count for nothing, and my actual throws were less than impressive. In the end it was a lot of fun to throw at that meet and meet many great throwers.
So now, after 3 years of college and not throwing I am determined to retrain, and get back into the greatest sport on Earth. I have five months to spend at home weight lifting, running, eating right, throwing, and getting back into shape. I am very excited for what the future holds! Stay with me on this journey as I feel destined for greatness.
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