How did you get involved in the Highland Games?

I met my coach, Mark Wechter, when I competed in Strongman competitions. He tried to get me to throw for years. After being injured, I decided to do this. My first game, I didn’t know what to expect. My numbers were crazy amazing. My coach doesn’t always tell me how well I am doing. He let me get through the game and then told me how good my numbers were after the game was over. I think I ranked number one in the world. I was 40 at the time. I started practicing from there. This is my third year. I just love the community. I love challenging myself. It is never me trying to beat someone else. It is me against me. I wanted to run and cry after the WOB (Weight Over Bar). Even though those are good numbers, they are usually really easy for me to hit in practice. I didn’t accomplish what I wanted today. I had to keep it together for the last event.  I hit the world record height at the World competition. It didn’t count because we were not at that height. So, I knew that I was capable of it. When I practice, I am consistently getting like 20’ or over 20’. Adriane Wilson broke the world record at 21’6”. I have hit that number before. I thought I needed to get 21’7”.  I just couldn’t even get 19’ today.

It happens.

It was really hard. You are just so disappointed in yourself. Even though everyone is happy, it is hard to feel really good about it. You have to keep going and let it go. That’s the hard part of this sport.

How do you train? How is this training different than when you trained for Strongman?

I still have my Strongman coach. I used to cross fit. But cross fit and throwing doesn’t really mix injury wise. I am doing regular lifting.  I deadlift, bench (press) and squat every week. I am not lifting as heavy. I am hitting all the smaller muscles. I try to work on overall balance. My coach reminds me that I am a Masters’ athlete (over 40) when I show up to practice and I can’t squat. Then, I have to warm up. I will train a little bit of the same. I will still do farmer carries or overhead carries. I will do stuff that works your core. Really, you just have to throw. I spent money on all of the implements. I just go to the park and throw. It is my outlet. My hour or two to get away and block out the world to take care of me. It is really fun.

Is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you think I should have asked you? If so, go ahead and answer that question.

The sisterhood of Highland throwers. We all have these patches to encourage other women to get into throwing. We have ambassadors in different areas. We encourage anybody to try. If you are curious about it, come out and try. People want to share. They want to help you. They want to encourage everyone to come out and throw and be a part of the community. And just love on them. Come as you are. We are all different shapes, sizes, abilities. We all support each other.