Things are going to be different at The McCullough Scottish Games this year, at least as far as our competitiors. Thanks to my sisters, Kathy and Jeannie, and my wife, Robin, we will have a Ladies competition. They are competing in Highland events of stone put, sheaf toss, and caber, so come and cheer them on. Over the next three months they will continue to practice in preparation to 'have at it' on October 25th. The ladies will be first up, no pressure of course, but I'm sure they'll be psyched and maybe a little nervous, but that should flee after the first throw or two.
All of our men from last year: myself, my brother Paul, and Chuck Trader, are returning for this year's fight. Joining us with super enthusiasm is Aaron Stout from Millersville, MD. Isn't that name 'Stout', just what you'd expect for a HIghland Games competitor? We hope to add one or two other guys of like caliber, novices like the rest of us.
Our men will do the Braemar stone toss, sheaf toss, stone for height, weight over bar, the Scottish light hammer, and the caber. There's a lot of hype this year over the new caber. Much to the liking of our men, last year's caber will also be available. If you have an opportunity to see the Games you'll know why we say "see iron, stone and wood take wing".
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Highland Games Practice_July 12, 2008
A warm, humid late morning start welcomed the first summer practice leading up to The McCullough Scottish Games in October of this year. I practiced with Chuck Trader, long-time friend and returning athlete from last year's Games. Chuck has been working out at Bali's since last year and is ready to compete. Way to go 'Big Guy', your hard work will pay off!
We started off with the over the bar toss of a 42# stone, then on to weight over bar with our 35 pounder. I introduced Chuck to the Scottish hammer and he did well with this "new" event; we will continue to work on our throwing technique. A priority of our practice time was to work with the caber from last year, which we now affectionately call 'Toothpick" as we also attempted to handle the new caber of 16+ feet and 80+ pounds, which we call '%*@$^!!!!!!!!'. All we can do is continue to throw and, in time, we will get better.
It wouldn't be an "official" practice without the due humor and harrasment from my English neighbor David, who concurred with Chuck that I am definitely a 100% bonified madman. I wonder if the kilt had anything to do with this?
We missed our other athletes:
Kathy, who is away for the month at Cape Cod, Jeannie, who suffered a bump to the head this week and is recuperating - "Get well soon, Jeannie", Aaron who was waiting on Comcast's installation at his new apartment - "Congratulations on your new job and apartment, Aaron"; and Paul, who was at the dentist's - "Hope he used Novocaine, Paul", and my dear Robin, who will be practicing tomorrow.
Our visitors at the end of today's session were Patrick Vadnais, his Mom, who is visiting from Springfield, MA and Pat's son Ryan.
Next practice is Saturday, August 2nd at 10:00AM. Hope to see you all there!
We started off with the over the bar toss of a 42# stone, then on to weight over bar with our 35 pounder. I introduced Chuck to the Scottish hammer and he did well with this "new" event; we will continue to work on our throwing technique. A priority of our practice time was to work with the caber from last year, which we now affectionately call 'Toothpick" as we also attempted to handle the new caber of 16+ feet and 80+ pounds, which we call '%*@$^!!!!!!!!'. All we can do is continue to throw and, in time, we will get better.
It wouldn't be an "official" practice without the due humor and harrasment from my English neighbor David, who concurred with Chuck that I am definitely a 100% bonified madman. I wonder if the kilt had anything to do with this?
We missed our other athletes:
Kathy, who is away for the month at Cape Cod, Jeannie, who suffered a bump to the head this week and is recuperating - "Get well soon, Jeannie", Aaron who was waiting on Comcast's installation at his new apartment - "Congratulations on your new job and apartment, Aaron"; and Paul, who was at the dentist's - "Hope he used Novocaine, Paul", and my dear Robin, who will be practicing tomorrow.
Our visitors at the end of today's session were Patrick Vadnais, his Mom, who is visiting from Springfield, MA and Pat's son Ryan.
Next practice is Saturday, August 2nd at 10:00AM. Hope to see you all there!
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