Monday, August 5, 2024

Colorado Scottish Festival - 2024


Well the Colorado Scottish Festival heavy athletics is in the books and I had a wonderful time competing with the 40-59 year old masters athletes.  Edie, our judge, kept us on track and we moved through the events safely and efficiently.

I should have printed off my QR codes for parking and admission, but they took my word for it.  I packed the standard chair, sheaf, cooler and backpack which was sufficient.

After announcements and invocation we were underway and proceeded with WFD, Hammers, WOB, Sheaf, Caber and finished with Stones.
  • Braemar Stone - 18'-6" - Solid throw, just inches off of my best at Elizabeth 2024
  • Open Stone - 23'-4.375" - PR! by an inch compared to Elizabeth 2024
  • Heavy WFD - 18'-3.625" - PR! by 3 feet compared
  • Light WFD - 24'-4.75" - Solid throw, just inches off of my best at Thornton 2023
  • Heavy Hammer - 34'-1.75" - Still struggling here
  • Light Hammer - 43'-6" - Improved from Elizabeth 2024, but still behind 2023 throws
  • Caber - 11:00 with M2 - PR! Finally flipped the M2
  • Sheaf - 15' - solid throw, but could not match the 16' at Elizabeth 2024
  • WOB - 11' - PR! Finally breaking my consistent previous best of 10'
Competition Order

WFD - Started out standing and went 16', 18', 17' on the heavy hammer.  Switching to the light, I went 24' standing and then started a one turn throwing 20' and 21'

Hammers - Went 31', 34' and 28' on the heavy hammer (I caught the turf on the 3rd throw).  Went 43', 43' and 42' on the light hammer.  I was happy to not scratch on any of them, but do need to improve my speed.

WOB - We incorrectly started with the 35 pound weight and I managed 10', 11', 12' and was hitting the bar with 13' before we noticed our mistake.  Switching to the correct 42 pound weight, I cleared 10' on my second attempt, 11' on my second attempt and missed twice at 12' before passing my third attempt.

Sheaf - We opened at a reasonable 14' which I made on my first attempt along with 15'.  I then failed all three attempts at 16'.

Lunch Break

Caber - I flipped the M1 at 11:00 and passed my second and third attempts.  Switching to the M2, I got about 45 degrees on my first attempt, bailed on my second attempt and finally got a 11:00 on my third attempt.  Huge PR!  

The master's men selected from the following four cabers:
  • 15'-2.75" 45 pounds
  • 17'-0" 51 pounds
  • 18'-0" 62 pounds
  • 18'-0.25" 76 pounds - BROKEN
Stones - All of my Braemar throws were at 18' and my Open throws went 22', 23' and 22'

Relative to the field, I was well behind but felt good about my improvement.  Curtis was another newer athlete visiting from Las Vegas.  I was ahead of him on a couple of events, but his overall score was 3864.  With some solid off season training, I feel like I could crawl out of the cellar.  I would be ecstatic to win a 3rd place plate next year.

Decathlon Scoring:
  • 3379 points - Colorado Scottish Festival 2024
  • 3259 points - Elizabeth 2024
  • 3002 points - Thornton 2023
  • 2783 points - Colorado Scottish Festival 2023
  • Braemar Stone - 425
  • Open Stone - 391
  • Heavy WFD - 344*
  • Light WFD - 306*
  • Heavy Hammer - 294*
  • Light Hammer - 303*
  • Caber - 375
  • Sheaf - 423
  • WOB - 499
*If I am targeting to break 4000, I need to work towards an average of 375 and the biggest opportunities for improvement are hammers and weight for distance.

I feel like I have my kit dialed in.  I like having a chair and cooler.  The backpack is convenient, but maybe I will start using my GR1.  
  • Stones - Elbow sleeve and wrist wrap, towel
  • WFD - Leather Glove, switch to Mechanix?
  • Hammers - Pow'r Tac, cleats?
  • Caber - Weigth Belt, Pow'r Tac
  • Sheaf - Fork
  • WOB - Weight Belt, Leather Glove, switch to Mechanix?
I will typically use the sunscreen, but have not done much taping up and fortunately have not needed the medical supplies.  Kilt, boonie hat, sunglasses and boots work well.  I might try switching to soccer or baseball cleats.  I also want to try Pow'r Tac Grip Spray Tackifier (available at Dick's for $14.99).

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