H.T.A.: Hammer Throwers Anonymous
Published on 28 July 2010 in Life Updates, Musings | 3 Comments |This weekend I am preparing to head down to Lake Como for a four-day weekend escape with my visiting girlfriend, my friend Andrea, and her brother. I know the chance to relax and have fun in Italy will be well worth it, but I must be honest, I’m having a little anxiety about taking the time off of throwing. In fact, I’m even going to squeeze in a little throwing session Thursday morning before we catch the train. Still, my three day break from throwing will be my longest since September 2007.
Most athletes take a break from throwing after the end of the season. But for me, the end of the season is always in the middle of summer, and that’s one of the few times of the year I have ample free time to spend with my coach and plenty of daylight hours to train in. Both my coach and I decided to just train through the break the past few years. If I have ever needed a break, it’s been be in the winter, when the days are short and I’ve been trying to balance a job with throwing. In any event, I rarely go more than one day without touching the hammer, but I’ve made a half dozen exceptions when travelling, for holidays, or for other occasions, although I have thrown on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and I even crammed in a few throws after taking both three-day long New York and Washington bar exams. I’m not necessarily proud of this addiction, but I’m not ashamed either. I’d like to think I could stop any time I wanted to, but throwing is fun. It relieves stress, relaxes me, and challenges me. As long as it is fun, I don’t see a reason to stop.
What makes this weekend so unique is not only that I am taking time off, but that I am taking time off during the season. I had expected to return to North America next weekend. However, I felt like my success at the Swiss Championships was a preview of what’s to come. Since the track season is already over in the States, my only option to get in more meets was to stay here where the meets last until the end of September. I’ve already posted a preliminary meet schedule, which includes an attempt to compete in the stone throw at the famous Eidgenössiches Swiss wrestling festival. UBS also extended my contract at work, so I will continue to have an income too. But in the meantime, I have a few weeks of calm before everything starts back up, making this weekend the perfect time for a getaway.
3 Responses to “H.T.A.: Hammer Throwers Anonymous”
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Name: Mémorial Kops, Ludivig & Reuter
Date: 19 May 2012
Location: Ettelbruck, Luxembourg
Hello. My name is James and I am addicicted to the hammer throw. I have tried to quit. I have not competed or trained with a hammer this summer, and my knees feel OK for the first time since I turned 40. I went to one meet, just to watch. One freaking twilight meet to see a couple of friends throw. Then video of the World Juniors.I can’t help myself. I am going out to throw on Saturday morning. Ibuprofin and ice packs are ready. I’m turning 50 next year so lighter comp hammer and weight. Maybe this time it won’t be so bad.
Do they make a hammer patch?? Maybe gum??
Good luck with your late summer meets Martin. Keep the faith. Keep posting please. Old dog learns new tricks every now and then.
- James from Ottawa
My name is Sharon and I am a recovering hammer addict. I reached the point where I spent more time cleaning the grass and water out of the circle than throwing because I kept injuring my hamstring when I released the hammer. Alas, it doesn’t matter. The powers that be decided to tear down our hammer cage.
Martin – best of luck with your late summer meets.
Martin,
I loved the post. Being a competitive hammer thrower, I can attest to that being an impressive run, not taking more than a week off throwing since 2007!
Thanks for sharing, your passion is addictive and inspiring to me while sitting through Master’s classes in the summer months. Best of luck in the remainder of the season..
- Lucais