The Last Practice of the Indoor Season

The last practice of the indoor season turned out to be the hottest - pun intended. Not only was it 77 degrees and humid, but I also threw a new PR with the 15# shot. (For those who don't know, you gain 2-3 ft for each pound lighter depending on the athlete.) This bodes very well for the indoor meet, and I am excited to throw on Sunday. The practice started out well and I was feeling ready. I had a SB from the half-turn with a 63' throw. I had planned on taking 10 throws from the full position with the first 2 or 3 being used as a warm-up. My fourth and fifth throws were near my best at around 68'. My technique got a little shaky on 6 and 7 because I was too anxious out of the back and really pressing it. On 8 and 9 I tried to slow it down and just hit the finish. My ninth throw was technically great but with no intensity (and 68'). My tenth throw was the same. I had the intensity, but I stepped on the inside of the toeboard, which always throws me off. So there I was, with my ten throws that I had planned on all done. I decided to take one more throw, making sure I was controlled out of the back with a huge explosive finish. Well, I accomplished that and yelled out a cry that started as a normal yell and then became an 'Owww!'. The shot came off my fingers badly, but I still drove through it (which made it worse). :) Anyways, my hand and fingers are fine. And the throw went much farther then my group of 4-5 68' throws. We measured it at 21.22m (69'8"). My old PR with the 15#, from last year, was 68'4" on this same week (I ended up throwing 20.29m [66'7"] at USA Indoors). It was my first (maybe second) real finish of the year (feeling totally connected with the ball and efficient). My other time was my 65'7" from my last meet. So, in summation, I am ready. My body is ready. My mind is ready. Now I just need to put it together in the meet.

I'm off to Houston tonight and will not update until after the meet. We get in on Friday around 1pm and will be sure to hit up Qdoba. On Saturday, I will be watching the weight throw and the pole vault. My friend Brad Gebauer is pole vaulting (he is leading the NCAA right now with a jump of 18'4"). There is an article on us at:
http://mcneesesports.cstv.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/022107aaa.html.
I throw at 3:30 pm on Sunday so I'll have just enough rest.

I'm Ready!