Comeback...

Now listen to me closely this ain't no pity piece. I've got so many wonderful memories of competing in the Highland Games and of the men that I was blessed to share the field with and afterwards a meal and even a beer or two and not just around the USA but all over the World.  HEY... I even managed to win a few championships and set some records along the way. 

It always makes me smile when I look back over my athletic career and think that I seemed to have had a much more competitive career as a Masters Athlete than I ever did as an athlete in the Open Class... well I know I damn sure had a hell of a lot more fun as a Master Athlete!!! 

I am very proud of my career and hope that I always carried myself with Honor and Respect for the History of the Scottish Highland Games and all of those who competed with me and those that came before me. It was the history that intrigued me so much and partially what drew me to the Highland Games.

Unfortunately after competing in the 2021 Masters World Championships I realized that I just didn’t have the same concentration and focus while competing nor with the training and I doubt that I ever will again.

I will not leave Scottish Heavy Athletics nor will I ever forget it, I don't think I could even if I wanted but I doubt that I will ever again return to it as I once had nor will it ever possess me as it once did. The sport provided me some of the happiest times of my life. I am always asked how and why did I push myself in a sport where there was no monetary gain and very little publicity but I’m telling you that those were the happiest times for me throwing the weights and stones, picking a a monstrous caber and giving it a little nudge with my shoulder and taking off running then the elation after turning it.

Even more personally gratifying to me was the training; explosively lifting heavy weights , throwing medicine balls and jumping and you can add in the hundreds and hundreds of drills that not only had to be done but had to be done correctly….each and every rep done to perfection. Let’s not forget the hours spent alone in a field throwing or the long early morning drives to different games and of course stopping for breakfast at Cracker Barrel to fuel up!! 

In my life as an Athlete I never had anyone in the crowd cheering me and so I was lucky that Sally was able to come to some of the Games but of course if you ask her way too many Games and see me compete. One of the biggest highlights for me was her watching me win the US Caber Championship in Pleasanton and then being congratulated by Jim 'Big Chief' McGoldrick who told me that I had beautiful technique but even better was driving around the Wine Country afterwards or when I stayed on the field continuing to compete at the 2005 Masters World Championships after rupturing my achilles and then as her and her sister dragged me all over New Hampshire telling me "you competed all day yesterday so get your big ass up here and stop whining!!!"

So with all of this in mind (and a little more that I haven’t shared yet) I have concluded that it’s time to move on to something different in “The Wide World of (Masters) Strength Sports” and this next challenge is something that I have talked about and dreamt about since the early 90’s when I got a book from IronMind called “Of Stones and Strength” by Peter Martin.

There’s a feeling inside of me that I just can’t describe (trust me I’ve tried) when I look at a stone laying there in the tall grass thinking about the men that came before me and knowing that it’s telling me to move on, I’m not here for you to lift but if you want to try you better be prepared for the challenge. 

There’s a short writing that I read many years ago from Steve Jeck that sums up my thoughts closer than I can so I’ll share that writing with you so maybe you will begin to understand that feeling when passing by a stone and wondering how far you can throw it or if you can lift it!!!

                                                                                                  The Choice by Steve Jeck

“There’s something about a stone; something intrinsically alluring. I’ve never been able to walk past a stone without trying to lift it or see how far I could throw it (or at least silently ponder such efforts if actually attempting them would seriously jeopardize others’ perception of my stability). I do, by the way, realize that the more sound members of society have little difficulty driving past or transversing such challenges. . . . pity. 

I see the stone as a challenge, obvious enough, yet I view it in a different light than even the barbell. The barbell is designed to be lifted. The diameter of the bar, the knurled grip, the aerodynamic design of the plates - all of these features lend themselves to one ultimate purpose: to be lifted. Certainly, when one throws enough 25-kilo plates on a bar all this design crap flies right out of the window. And still I feel as if I’ve accomplished something just deadlifting the type of poundage Taranenko rams overhead. No, I’m not saying that lifting barbells is easy. The distinction I’d make is that barbells are heavy while stones are defiant. To the prospective lifter, a stone seems to say, ‘I’m not here to be lifted. You have gyms and such to satisfy that need. Now, if you still care to proceed, then be ready to pay.’ What’s more, should you be blessed enough triumph over the stone, the only adulation you’re likely to receive will come from the local squirrels and millipedes, for most big stones are still resting obscurely in nature right where God put them.

Ultimately, a man is challenged and bettered by facing any task that exceeds his current abilities. Some choose big stones. Others drive or transverse past such challenges. . . . pity.” 

I have decided that it's best for me to start dropping the excess weight that I put on because as we all know 'mass moves mass' and now whether that's true or not it needs to come off and stay off!!! 

I think that it's time to coach and teach something I love.... Old Strong Guys Rule

I've begun to write a Training Manual for Masters Strength Athletes and even create seminars so I can teach the things I've learned over the years to stay healthy and out on the field or platform doing what you love.