End Cap Packing

Posted on October 16, 2013 by tosabarbell

We all know there is a specific stratergery that retail uses to entice shoppers to stray from their lists and believe they need the junk on those pesky end caps. I usually do ok. October in Target means Monster cereal on the end caps and I’m always a sucker for Monster cereal. Oz likes the $5 movies that he’s already watched 4000 times on AMC but for some reason having the movie would be so much better. I can remember giving my mom a side glance of hope when I was a wee girl (or at least young, I really was never wee) for a pack of Fruit Stripe gum. Come on! How can you NOT give your kid Fruit Stripe gum!!!

I thought of this while packing this morning. See, I had my daily outfits laid out with one extra shirt for post contest party fun; a suit; undies; socks, ya know, the usual. But I picked up a new suitcase Sunday to replace my weekender bag I’d been using and now there’s lots more room! Soooo, grab my training gear; an extra pair of tennis shoes; a couple more shirts? Uh oh, I have even MORE room left over.

And this is where my end cap packing kicked in. My compact mirror; an umbrella; another sweater; my rubba slippas. I finally had to walk away. I literally was going to start adding a 1/2 eaten dark chocolate bar and my 8th tube of lip shit. WALK AWAY!

I still have a couple of hours, I’m going to have to remain strong. As I type, I’m picturing all kinds of shit up there that can still go in the suitcase. OH, and by the way, here is a heartfelt letter to my new suitcase…

“Dear beautiful new Samsonite suitcase. It’s very exciting that so shortly after coming home with me, you get to travel all the way to Lithuania. You’re very lucky. I have filled you with everything I deem absolutely necessary (please don’t read the above) and leave you space to bring home goodies from abroad. I’m sure you acknowledged the care and organization as I loaded my stuff into your belly. I apologize now for that bag I snuck into your front pocket. I know, it smells; it’s stuffy; and the fabric softener sheets I put inside with it’s contents just form some type of outdoor ass smell. See, they’re called KNEE SLEEVES. They’re bad. I know. It’s why they’re not allowed in the main compartment.  Please know that I give my utmost respect to the sacrifice your front pocket is giving to hold these Rehband holders of stink all the way to foreign lands. Hugs and kisses, jules.”

Poor suitcase.

You know, there’s nothing damnable about being a strong woman. The world needs strong women. There are a lot of strong women who you do not see who are guiding, helping, mothering strong men. They want to remain unseen. It’s kind of nice to be able to play a strong woman who is seen.

Ginger Rogers

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Eye on the Prize

Posted on October 15, 2013 by tosabarbell

I’ve seen a lot of hullabaloo in different venues of the webz lately by competitors of various strength sport talking about training for upcoming events. First off, it’s kinda cool that I have so many contacts that train and compete. Second off, it occurs to me that lots of peeps I know over compete. Ya know, those who are talking about their next competition in 8 or so weeks the very night that they’ve just PR’d all their lifts on the platform earlier in the day? Look people, you beating your body into the ground for a chance of glory every eight weeks will take you just so far. When I see that the nagging shoulder pain is worse and worse but you just “train through it” for the next comp I want to give you a V8 smack to the forehead. But that’s not my beef today. You silly people are on your own…for now.

My beef today are for those of you who are looking too FAR into the future. I’ve seen a lot of comments by throwers who are training NOW for the Master’s World Championships next September in Scotland. SEPTEMBER! 2014!!! Uhhhhhhh, that’s 11 months away and the season is just now coming to an end. We just got out of a 6-8 month season and you’re training now for 11 months away? I’ve seen comments about meets or Strongman events that are 6 months away and people are dialing in their tapers now. SRSLY? How about you CF’rs who begin training for next year’s games the day you got booted out of Regionals.

Look, I’m all for looking into the future. Ya know, here’s what worked for me last time; here’s what didn’t; here’s what drove me into the ground; here’s what didn’t; etc. and take those pointers into the next year. It’s called reflection and we’ve already talked about it. I’m all for researching other programs that have worked for people in similar circumstances and figuring out how to fit that in your life. It’s called preparation and should absolutely be part of your life if you’re a competing athlete.

But to say, “I’m training now for 11 months down the road” is silly. We’re not Olympians, we wear kilts and kick off our events day with a shot of scotch. Let’s take it down a notch, eh? Your golden egg is recovery, especially as a Masters competitors. Rest. Why are we so panicked to rest and recover. As if replenishing our bodies is time lost? Listen to those who’ve come before us who drove their bodies into the ground and have fought long and hard to find their way (usually post surgeries) back to training. Recover. Rest.

Eye on the prize people is not that competition, it’s a healthy and strong body ALLOWING us to kick arse in that competition. Focus!

I’m eagerly anticipating laying out next year’s throwing season…next year. There are some amazing opportunities for those of us in this fringe sport and I absolutely hope to be as prepared as possible for each and every one I’m lucky enough to be a part of. But now? Now I recover; condition; go to Lithuania; take walks; focus some time on the Snatch and Clean and Jerk which makes training fun. Stuff like that. Not everything has to be do or die in the gym today. It’s ok. We’ll all be ok.

Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.

Athenaeus

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Friday Jams

Posted on October 11, 2013 by tosabarbell

A woman and a microphone. Strong, simple, sexy, and gifted enough to stand on a stage and rock that shit. A country singer? I dun think so but it could be blues and country crossed paths more than they do now. In reality, country music is so pop music now that even hearing an Alabama song makes you remember when country was country.

Anyways.

I loved Linda Ronstadt when I was growing up and this song was played so often on my record player that I’m shocked my mom didn’t hide it at some point. This video is particularly awesome with the jam session included. See children (under 30), that’s called music. You don’t have that now on your radio. I’m sorry you missed it.

Linda Ronstadt You’re No Good.

Enjoy your weekend.

In the United State, we spend millions of dollars on sports because it promotes teamwork, discipline, and the experience of learning to make great progress in small increments. Learning to play music does all this and more.

Linda Ronstadt

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Monday Bacon: Happy New Year!

Posted on October 7, 2013 by tosabarbell

A small post on the Facebook a few weeks ago by Champion thrower Brian Oldfield caught my eye. He spoke of throwing season wrapping up and though he’s been retired for quite some time, he still remembers reflecting on how things went and moving into off season training. He wrapped up the post by saying, “Happy New Year!”

I like it. Reflect; make notes; be thankful, and move on. With that in mind…

I’ve learned an immense amount on the events and showed many times my naivete.  I’ve muscled the stones as far as I’m going to and this off season must include understanding the mechanics better. Mike and Mindy Pockoski have come up with a great DVD and book breaking down all of the events with cues and examples of the teachings. Getting this is first on the list so I can practice at home. Also, I’m hoping to make a few treks to Minnesota to see my twins and ALSO spend as many sessions as possible with Brian Hare over at the Southside Bully gym in Burnsville. Brian is a great throws coach and always sends me away not only a better thrower but also with a better understanding of throwing terms (separation; orbit; fast arm; quick release…) Here’s where I’ve shown how utterly naive I am in this throwing stuff, when a few folks have said I have a fast arm or quick release I’ve had to ask them if that’s a good thing. I guess it is so I should figure out how to use it to my advantage.

Hammers. I’d like to pick up a 16# hammer to feel the heavy more often. I’ve struggled so much with this event but a few things clicked for me this past weekend and I’m looking forward to practicing that more. My hammer must improve in order for me to frankly be competitive. I can hang in the other events but lose many points on the Hammers and the Sheaf.

Sheaf toss. I PR’d my toss at 18′ last April at Jason Clevenger’s backyard games; tied it again in August at his Throwing For the Cure event; and hit it this last weekend in Kirksville. Another points loser for me. This weekend’s throws actually felt really good and just like the hammers, I have some good things to work on. I need to get serious though and find a system to put a bar up in the back yard so I know how high I’m throwing. Throwing into open space isn’t teaching me anything but how to “hope” it’s going high.

Distance throws: thanks to the help of Kerry Overfelt and Craig Smith here during the Wisconsin games on Labor Day weekend, my two spin is back and this event is feeling extremely good. I was reminded by Jason Clevenger and Jeff Armstrong last Sunday in Lake Forest to throw the weight out and not up and I’ve had some nice numbers. Now I just need to dial it in and especially control my nerves on Games day. I’ll be practicing with all, the 28#, 21#, and 14# so I’m ready to go no matter where I throw.

WOB: no matter what the weight is on this one nerves are really my killer. So again, practicing with an actual height target will help to build confidence and I’m just going to have to get advice on the nerves thing. I do okay until it gets into PR’sville and then the adrenaline begins to make everything shaky.

Caber: just practice. I need practice. I need picks; and picks; and then controlling the log; and then toss after toss after toss. I know I can do well on this but need picks.

I need to make sure stretching and better nutrition stick with me into the second half of the season next year. In March, I came off of a very intense bodybuilding type program that was very helpful in gaining strength and making me feel better but I also came into the season very tight with erectors that were ready at the drop of any hat all season long to seize up. Stretch; massage; take better care of myself. Less sugar; less booze (not much less, just less during the week); keep the walks going all summer long.  I’m really hoping to get a board and do some of this next summer…

It looks fun and relaxing and I’d love to wake up my day on the water.

I’ll throw more and worry about strength less than I did this summer. I’m very pleased on how the last 1/3 of my season went in the gym and credit Matt Vincent’s Training Lab for that. There, he states that last part of the season gym sessions are very light and to be done on throwing day. I put the ego aside, did some squats at 135# and headed to the field. It worked very well and I was able to hit PR’s at the very end of the season which felt awesome.

I’ve written, probably ad nauseam, on how thankful I am for this entire season and the people who I’ve come in contact with. I can’t reflect without saying it one more time. I met an entire new crew of great Highland folks this past weekend in Kirksville and I’m looking forward to spending another day on the field with them in the future.

I know I can walk away from the field and say I’ve done my best. I’ve worked as hard as I could in the gym and on the field with what knowledge I had. I’v’e tried to be a good fellow competitor and find new ways of politely asking overzealous “coaches” on the field to not throw 20 observations at me after each throw in exasperated voices when I don’t do what they want me to do. Heh. I’m healthy and strong and though I’m tired, I feel pretty damn good.

So now I lay it to rest and move on. Just like 11:59pm on December 31st…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave- win or lose.

Gordie Howe

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