Well, ready or not Inverness, here we come. Folks have already started making their way and I imagine the Scotch and Pints are already flowing. I threw for the last time today, just some relaxed distance throws, and will squat this morning to get my bod loosened up for the big drive.
I’m a wee bit tired but mostly feel good. My hip tweak from a couple hours of awkward lawn work a few weeks ago is still there but better. My heel (planter fasciitis flare up a couple months ago) is actually feeling better and I’ll pack the estim to keep things loose. I’ve been downing gallons of water and kept the booze to a beer here or a dram of scotch there (just getting the body ready for MOAR SCOTCH!)
Truth be told, I wish I felt a bit better about it all. My distance throws, feeling so good in July have taken a right turn to WhatTheHell’sGoingOnVille. Something’s off and I can’t pin it down. I think it’s in my initial turn but hard to say. I’m about 5-8 feet off my solid throws and that annoys me. My stones are okay but that Open is inconsistent. My hammers are, well…hammers. Same goes for Caber and this will be my first time with the knock off bar WOB.
What I DO know is this: there is absolutely nothing else I could do to prepare for Scotland. I’ve pushed my training and my throwing. I’ve received great coaching which has helped tons. I got in some incredibly helpful Caber practice this last week which is a gift. Now is the time to shut it all off and as Katie told me last year, just fuckin’ throw. Katie’s smart.
I also know that my hubby will be waiting for me in Amsterdam. He’s been raging in Dubai for 10 days and I’ll feel better when we’re together. I’ll really feel better if we’re able to stop and pop bottles for a bit in the Sky Lounge. Heh. We’ll roll into Inverness in time to get cleaned up, hopefully grab some food and head down to the Castle Tavern for the First Pint. Yeah! Thursday we’ll tour around, eat haggis, and check into our Apartment for the weekend. Registration is Thursday night and then it’s Games on!
And lastly, what I DO know that this is all a huge gift. If anyone were to ask me four years ago if I can picture myself jetting off to Scotland to compete in a Highland Games along 159 other people while being entertained by my wonderful husband I’d say, ‘Where are your drugs and give me some!’ But here I am almost ready to go (as expected, still haven’t started packing) and no matter what, it will be an amazing time.
A gift.
I decided to fly through the air and live in the sunlight and enjoy life as much as I could.
Evel Knievel
tosabarbell 