I'm not sure why I couldn't hit my goals at Sunday's Bay Area Senior Games, but I had a lackluster performance at the Stanford University track. This was the first meet of the season, and I think I was not mentally prepared as I got into the throwing ring. This will be a learning experience for future meets.
The meet, which doubled as the California Seniors State Championships, was held at Stanford's Cobb Track & Angell Field. This is a world-class facility that has hosted numerous NCAA Championships, the U.S. Open and U.S. Nationals. So I can't blame the facilities for my performance.
My goal for the meet in the discus was 90 feet and I hit 76 feet. I was hitting 90 in practice and was looking forward to the competition. But I just couldn't seem to get a good release and 76 feet was my best of four throws.
In the shot put, my goal was 26-6 and I could only toss it 25-4 -- more than a foot off my goal and 18 inches short of my best throw in competition.
I understand the discus marks. You have to do so many things right in the discus so the throws can have varying degrees of success. Technique is crucial. But in the shot put, the margin for error is much smaller. Strength is the key, although your technique is important. But I'm so far off last year that I must be getting weaker as I get a year older. I need more time in the gym with heavier weights.
At age 61, I'm competing in the 60-64 category, so I'm at the younger end of the age group. The one thing I will say is I never picked up a discus or shot put until last year. Most of the competitors have been throwing since high school and there techniques are much better than mine.
I'm a beginner and on Sunday I sure threw like one.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Track season starts anew
I'm starting the 2011 masters track season with the hope that I can compete in several meets and put up marks that show continual improvement in the discus and the shot put. My first competition is Sunday at Stanford for the Bay Area Senior Games. I hoped the meet doesn't get rained out.
There is a possibility that the storms that have been drenching California will break on Sunday. Because you throw in a small concrete circle, the officials will not allow the event if the ring is wet. They almost called off the shot put last year at Stanford because a light rain made the throwing circle dangerous.
I have been training especially hard for this meet, but the weather has slowed me down the past few days. I have not been able to throw since Tuesday, and I had hoped to throw every day through Friday. But I have been at the gym trying to get stronger. I need that in the shot put.
My biggest challenge is working on my throwing technique. That takes practice in the ring. I'm not exact a Tiny Dancer in that small ring as I spin to throw the discus and glide to throw the shot.
My goals for Sunday are 90 feet in the discus and 26 feet, six inches in the shot put. The discus goal would be a PR and the shot put goal is just under my best. For some reason, I've gone backwards from last year in the shot put so the 26-6 goal is a good one for the first meet. If I hit my goals, I'll likely finish in the middle of the pack. I'm not a threat for a medal.
I'll try to throw tomorrow, even if I have to do it off my patio in my backyard. I need to get one more good practice in.
There is a possibility that the storms that have been drenching California will break on Sunday. Because you throw in a small concrete circle, the officials will not allow the event if the ring is wet. They almost called off the shot put last year at Stanford because a light rain made the throwing circle dangerous.
I have been training especially hard for this meet, but the weather has slowed me down the past few days. I have not been able to throw since Tuesday, and I had hoped to throw every day through Friday. But I have been at the gym trying to get stronger. I need that in the shot put.
My biggest challenge is working on my throwing technique. That takes practice in the ring. I'm not exact a Tiny Dancer in that small ring as I spin to throw the discus and glide to throw the shot.
My goals for Sunday are 90 feet in the discus and 26 feet, six inches in the shot put. The discus goal would be a PR and the shot put goal is just under my best. For some reason, I've gone backwards from last year in the shot put so the 26-6 goal is a good one for the first meet. If I hit my goals, I'll likely finish in the middle of the pack. I'm not a threat for a medal.
I'll try to throw tomorrow, even if I have to do it off my patio in my backyard. I need to get one more good practice in.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The birthdays keep coming
This blog started because I was about to turn 60 and it was my way of coping with this milestone event. On Monday, I hit 61 so I guess I survived turning 60, and I'm now well into this decade that I feared . . . So should I change the name of my blog?
It's been an interesting year. Work has been extremely busy because of the election and I'm also continuing my venture into throwing the shot and discus. It's my way of staying in shape. I competed in three tracks meets this year -- Stanford in April, Manteca in May and Long Beach in September. I missed most of the summer meets because of my work schedule.
Surprisingly, I won a second-place medal in the shot put at the masters track meet at Long Beach State in the 60-64 category. I didn't ask how many people competed in the shot. I was fourth in the discus, just out of the medal category. I threw better in both events in the two previous meets.
My technique definitely needs improving. I learned this from the photos that a photographer took at the Long Beach meet. I can see that I'm not throwing either implement the way I'm suppose to throw, and that limits my distance. I'll post some of the photos when I get them scanned into the system.
I also need to get stronger, which means more time in the gym with weights. So it's back to training.
It's been an interesting year. Work has been extremely busy because of the election and I'm also continuing my venture into throwing the shot and discus. It's my way of staying in shape. I competed in three tracks meets this year -- Stanford in April, Manteca in May and Long Beach in September. I missed most of the summer meets because of my work schedule.
Surprisingly, I won a second-place medal in the shot put at the masters track meet at Long Beach State in the 60-64 category. I didn't ask how many people competed in the shot. I was fourth in the discus, just out of the medal category. I threw better in both events in the two previous meets.
My technique definitely needs improving. I learned this from the photos that a photographer took at the Long Beach meet. I can see that I'm not throwing either implement the way I'm suppose to throw, and that limits my distance. I'll post some of the photos when I get them scanned into the system.
I also need to get stronger, which means more time in the gym with weights. So it's back to training.
Monday, July 26, 2010
It's so hot
Over the weekend, I split up my training routine for the shot put and discus. I usually do both events at the same training session. But it was so hot this weekend that I decided to throw the shot put on Saturday and the discus on Sunday.
It took a little extra time, but I got through both workouts without fainting from heat exhaustion. My performance was OK, but I noticed that I had "tired legs" when I was throwing the discus.
The heat reminds me of a column that ran in The Fresno Bee on Sunday from David Mas Masumoto, a San Joaquin Valley farmer/philosopher. Mas repeated one-liners, using the theme "It's so hot" to tiem them all together.
Here are a few examples:
It's so hot that ...
-- You burn your hand opening the car door.
-- You learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
-- The AAA Rescue Team had to "unstick" you from your vinyl car seat.
-- You discover that in July, it takes only two fingers to drive your car
-- You find out too late that you can get a sunburn through your car window.
-- The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance. This becomes a serious sport.
-- Your car overheats before you drive it.
-- You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
It took a little extra time, but I got through both workouts without fainting from heat exhaustion. My performance was OK, but I noticed that I had "tired legs" when I was throwing the discus.
The heat reminds me of a column that ran in The Fresno Bee on Sunday from David Mas Masumoto, a San Joaquin Valley farmer/philosopher. Mas repeated one-liners, using the theme "It's so hot" to tiem them all together.
Here are a few examples:
It's so hot that ...
-- You burn your hand opening the car door.
-- You learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
-- The AAA Rescue Team had to "unstick" you from your vinyl car seat.
-- You discover that in July, it takes only two fingers to drive your car
-- You find out too late that you can get a sunburn through your car window.
-- The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance. This becomes a serious sport.
-- Your car overheats before you drive it.
-- You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The loneliness of a discus thrower
I've found that I like the solitude of throwing the discus and shot put on our recent pleasant Fresno evenings. For about an hour, I'm locked in on my goal of doing better -- a few inches at a time.
I relax as I throw each implement and then go fetch them. It's part of the learning process. I throw and then figure out what I need to do to get better as I walk back to the throwing circle. I think a lot during this process, although not quite enough judging by my incremental improvement. The shot put is about strength and explosiveness at launch and the discus is about strength and a bit of ballet as you try to get most out of the toss.
The proper technique is crucial in both events. I've been watching the best in these events on YouTube videos. My technique leaves much to be desired.
While I like the solitude of practice, on some days I wish I had someone to spot my marks and then help measure them. I usually eyeball my distance and then pace off the number of yards to where I think it landed. It's not very precise. The shot put is easy to mark because it makes a big dent in the pit. But the discus is a little tougher because the throw is longer and it lands on grass.
It's time to throw the discus and the shot. Anyone out there want to catch them for me?
I relax as I throw each implement and then go fetch them. It's part of the learning process. I throw and then figure out what I need to do to get better as I walk back to the throwing circle. I think a lot during this process, although not quite enough judging by my incremental improvement. The shot put is about strength and explosiveness at launch and the discus is about strength and a bit of ballet as you try to get most out of the toss.
The proper technique is crucial in both events. I've been watching the best in these events on YouTube videos. My technique leaves much to be desired.
While I like the solitude of practice, on some days I wish I had someone to spot my marks and then help measure them. I usually eyeball my distance and then pace off the number of yards to where I think it landed. It's not very precise. The shot put is easy to mark because it makes a big dent in the pit. But the discus is a little tougher because the throw is longer and it lands on grass.
It's time to throw the discus and the shot. Anyone out there want to catch them for me?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Trekking up 99 for a seniors track meet
I got up early Saturday morning for the two-hour drive to Manteca for my second seniors track meet. As I bounced along on the pockmarked pavement that poses as a 21st century freeway, I focused on my goal of getting better at every meet.
I pulled into Manteca's Sierra High School, and the organizers were just beginning to set up. My first event, the discus, was at 9:30 a.m. and I wanted to make sure I got there in time to warm up at my own pace. I could have slept in another hour before heading up the 99. At age 60, I've wasted a lot of my life getting to places way too early.
I finally found the official in charge of the field events, and he said he would have to measure my implements. Excuse me? "Your discus and shot put," he said. "They have to be weighed and measured to meet specs." What a relief. For a moment, I thought I was back in 7th-grade P.E. and dreading showering with the older kids. It's been awhile since my implements were measured.
My 5K shot put (about 11 pounds) and my 1K discus (about 2.2 pounds) were certified as usable in my age group -- 60 to 64. Now for a little stretching, and then the wait for the first call for the discus. I brought my favorite newspaper and read until the public address announcer said it was first call for the discus. That gave me about 15 minutes to throw before the competition began.
It was a good meet for me. I threw a PR (personal record in track parlance), with 87 feet on my first try. There were four rounds, and the best I could do on the next three tosses was 84 feet. My first meet last month at Stanford had a dismal best of 72 feet, so this was a big improvement. My goal was 90 feet. I was a bit short of that mark, but I'm pleased with 87 feet.
The shot put competition was at 11:30 a.m. and my goal was 27 feet. I missed it by this much. I had a best toss of 26 feet, 10 inches. I was two inches short of my target. Not bad, though. But for the shot, I need more weight training, and more explosiveness across the 7-foot ring. I worry about fouling and that limits me.
I didn't place in either of Saturday's event, but I had a strong personal performance. Right now I'm just competing against myself. Most of the competitors are very friendly, but the top throwers are somewhat aloof. They've been doing this for years so I wrote that off to them hanging with people they've known for awhile. I'm the newbie, and I need to prove I'm cool, just like in junior high.
A couple of the mid-range throwers gave me some tips, and one suggested trying the Lake Tahoe meet in two weeks. "The air is thinner up there," he said with a wink. "Yeah, right," I responded. "I'll be Al Oerter at Lake Tahoe. . . the air is so thin." That even brought a chuckle from one of the top competitors.
I said so long to everyone and walked to my car. Because there was a Bass Pro Shop in Manteca, I had to check it out before heading back to Fresno. I swung by this mother of all sporting goods stores and was impressed. A two-story indoor waterfall, a trout pond inside stocked with the biggest trout I ever seen, and row after row of merchandise. The place was packed and people were buying.
I spent about an hour looking at the stuff. I bought a couple of things, including a Spider-Man fishing pole for my new great-nephew. Finally, it was time for this one to go home. Fresno was beckoning. I had a few sore muscles, but it was a good day, all things considered.
Now, do you really think the discus will fly farther in the Lake Tahoe air?
I pulled into Manteca's Sierra High School, and the organizers were just beginning to set up. My first event, the discus, was at 9:30 a.m. and I wanted to make sure I got there in time to warm up at my own pace. I could have slept in another hour before heading up the 99. At age 60, I've wasted a lot of my life getting to places way too early.
I finally found the official in charge of the field events, and he said he would have to measure my implements. Excuse me? "Your discus and shot put," he said. "They have to be weighed and measured to meet specs." What a relief. For a moment, I thought I was back in 7th-grade P.E. and dreading showering with the older kids. It's been awhile since my implements were measured.
My 5K shot put (about 11 pounds) and my 1K discus (about 2.2 pounds) were certified as usable in my age group -- 60 to 64. Now for a little stretching, and then the wait for the first call for the discus. I brought my favorite newspaper and read until the public address announcer said it was first call for the discus. That gave me about 15 minutes to throw before the competition began.
It was a good meet for me. I threw a PR (personal record in track parlance), with 87 feet on my first try. There were four rounds, and the best I could do on the next three tosses was 84 feet. My first meet last month at Stanford had a dismal best of 72 feet, so this was a big improvement. My goal was 90 feet. I was a bit short of that mark, but I'm pleased with 87 feet.
The shot put competition was at 11:30 a.m. and my goal was 27 feet. I missed it by this much. I had a best toss of 26 feet, 10 inches. I was two inches short of my target. Not bad, though. But for the shot, I need more weight training, and more explosiveness across the 7-foot ring. I worry about fouling and that limits me.
I didn't place in either of Saturday's event, but I had a strong personal performance. Right now I'm just competing against myself. Most of the competitors are very friendly, but the top throwers are somewhat aloof. They've been doing this for years so I wrote that off to them hanging with people they've known for awhile. I'm the newbie, and I need to prove I'm cool, just like in junior high.
A couple of the mid-range throwers gave me some tips, and one suggested trying the Lake Tahoe meet in two weeks. "The air is thinner up there," he said with a wink. "Yeah, right," I responded. "I'll be Al Oerter at Lake Tahoe. . . the air is so thin." That even brought a chuckle from one of the top competitors.
I said so long to everyone and walked to my car. Because there was a Bass Pro Shop in Manteca, I had to check it out before heading back to Fresno. I swung by this mother of all sporting goods stores and was impressed. A two-story indoor waterfall, a trout pond inside stocked with the biggest trout I ever seen, and row after row of merchandise. The place was packed and people were buying.
I spent about an hour looking at the stuff. I bought a couple of things, including a Spider-Man fishing pole for my new great-nephew. Finally, it was time for this one to go home. Fresno was beckoning. I had a few sore muscles, but it was a good day, all things considered.
Now, do you really think the discus will fly farther in the Lake Tahoe air?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Maybe a little coaching would help this old guy
With a week away from the Manteca Seniors Meet, I need to make some progress in my performances in both the shot put and discus. I'm at the point where I'm not making significant gains in my distances, and that's frustrating.
I went to the Fresno State track this morning to work on the shot put, and the Bulldogs "throwers" were practicing in the discus/hammer cage. I asked if the shot put pit was available and throwing coach Lisa Misipeka said it was wide open. Fresno State has been very generous with their track facilities.
I began warming up, and a few minutes later one of the Fresno State athletes walked over to ask if I needed some tips. This wasn't just any athlete. It was Rosie Sanchez, one of the nation's top shot putters. Rosie will be in Ruston, La., next weekend to compete in the WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Louisiana Tech. She has the second-best throw in the WAC this season and she said she's going to this weekend's meet to win the conference championship. I'm rooting for her.
She gave me several suggestions, including pointing out that I don't launch the shot from the right spot. I act as if I'm trying to throw it, and I should have it closer to my chin and then push it. She also said I need to lead with my hips to get an explosive launch. I tend to start my glide in a strong position, and then lose momentum as I reach the toe board and push the ball.
I have noticed that I can almost get as much distance without the glide, so it's clear that I'm not talking full advantage of the seven-foot ring.
Rosie gave me several drills that should help (if my 60-year-old brain can remember them).
I'm going to work on the discus this evening. Unfortunately, I'll be my own coach, and we've seen how far that's gotten me so far.
I went to the Fresno State track this morning to work on the shot put, and the Bulldogs "throwers" were practicing in the discus/hammer cage. I asked if the shot put pit was available and throwing coach Lisa Misipeka said it was wide open. Fresno State has been very generous with their track facilities.
I began warming up, and a few minutes later one of the Fresno State athletes walked over to ask if I needed some tips. This wasn't just any athlete. It was Rosie Sanchez, one of the nation's top shot putters. Rosie will be in Ruston, La., next weekend to compete in the WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Louisiana Tech. She has the second-best throw in the WAC this season and she said she's going to this weekend's meet to win the conference championship. I'm rooting for her.
She gave me several suggestions, including pointing out that I don't launch the shot from the right spot. I act as if I'm trying to throw it, and I should have it closer to my chin and then push it. She also said I need to lead with my hips to get an explosive launch. I tend to start my glide in a strong position, and then lose momentum as I reach the toe board and push the ball.
I have noticed that I can almost get as much distance without the glide, so it's clear that I'm not talking full advantage of the seven-foot ring.
Rosie gave me several drills that should help (if my 60-year-old brain can remember them).
I'm going to work on the discus this evening. Unfortunately, I'll be my own coach, and we've seen how far that's gotten me so far.
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