THE B-LOG

A few thoughts on my trip to Townsville

Sun, 6 May 2012 17:43:16 +0800

Its that time of year again. The Diamond League is close to beginning and a large portion of throwers are doing there usual USA cycle. Having done the cycle myself a few times, its a great place to throw a PB. It makes me particularly itchy sitting back seeing a large portion of my colleague posting lifetime best, or season best marks.
Earlier on in the year i had mentioned to my Dad and also to my sports psyche Anthony, that i really wanted to post a big throw ahead of setting off to the Northern Hemisphere for the start of the season. Dad and I had briefly touched on how it would be nice to post an Australian and Area Record on home soil. I never really have records in the back of my mind when it comes to throwing, i guess the nature of competing is a simple as that. Competing.

The past weeks Dad and I had been doing some filming with Doug and his team in Canberra, i felt like i had a great deal more speed and power than previous years, but something just wasn’t clicking correctly. We went through the videos and i sat down together with Dad, Doug, and Ari who’s title is really hard to pinpoint, so for the sake of this blog I'm going to call him what my good friend and team mate Brendan Cole calls him, “Ninja” and we talked about the efficiency of my movement in the circle. Dad had things committed to memory and was on the look out for the key points and i was doing a lot of dry rehearsal to try and make the changes more uniform. A day later, we went out to the throwing field and we implemented our new cues with some heavier tools to slow things down and my timing clicked just nicely. Both Dad and Myself were impressed. We came back in the afternoon with the discus and doug filmed 6 throws that felt really nice. Easy efforts and smooth timing. Dad didn’t tell me until after this weekend that he knew something good would come out of this competition because i had some “long” throws in Canberra that night.

I was having to be very diligent with my recovery and treatment, because after working with Ari, my range had increased and my muscles joints were and still are having a bit of trouble familiarising themselves with it.

Heading to Townsville i was really looking forward to some warm weather. I left Canberra at -3 degrees and having to scrape ice of my windscreen to Townsville, 30 degrees and humid! My back was thanking me right away.
I have always had a soft spot for Queensland. After living in Brisbane for 2 years, i just fell in love with the enthusiasm of the people who are involved in Athletics up north. They are very accommodating and more than happy to assist where they can. Just laid back i think is the easiest way to put it. Allowing us, the athletes to feel relaxed and have the best opportunity to compete well.
Mitchell Cooper and Kesha ................. have been doing some work with Dad for some time now and would be joining me for competition in Townsville. Both youngsters will be heading to world juniors later in the year and show a great deal of potential should they continue to apply themselves in the years of their development.

I woke up on Saturday morning and had a look out of my bedroom window. What a great view, and the weather was worthy of a postcard. My back was a bit stiff, but the sun made me smile and forget about it for the moment.
Heading down to the track, it was humid, i shortened my warm up time by 20 minutes and focused on keeping myself happy and ready for some fun. Warm ups felt solid but nothing particularly special. Out of all things my rhythm was great, timing my throws up nicely. I had a plan in my mind and i was set to lay it down.

First Throw: Foul
Second Throw: Safety 63
Third Throw: 67.53
Fourth Throw: 65.95
Fifth Throw: Foul
Sixth Throw 63.91

To be completely honest, the third throw didn’t feel like anything special. My timing was spot on, but i didn’t really feel like i gave it a real nudge from underneath. That makes me happy, to think that i can throw like that feeling suboptimal.

So why i like Townsville? The people are easy going, the weather is pristine and its the home of my Australian and Area Record.

Looking forward to the processes moving forward.

Now isn’t the time to be celebrating. The important ones are ahead of me!

B xx

A different look at things we love(d).

Fri, 4 May 2012 12:35:37 +0800

WESTERN MOVIES:

When i was a spark plug, there would be friday or saturday nights when Mum was working until well past my bedtime. More than likely Dad would be pooped from a week of work and friday night was time for the boys. Dad would scoop us up in the car and we would shoot up to the video shop at Mount Hutton. On the odd occasion if none of us could be bothered to cook (Luke would often cook up a sweet chicken omelette or something to that nature) we would pick up a few bobs worth of fish and chips and maximise the number of movies we could get in before either Dad fell asleep in the chair, or Mum came home to send us to bed.
Anyways getting to the point here, for some reason Dad had us convinced that “a good spaghetti western was always the go” Apprehensive at first, Luke and I agreed and he was right. “The Outlaw Josie Wales” with Clint Eastwood and “”Shane” were among some of the titles we enthused over. It was boys night, There was a VHS full of .47 Magnums and chewing tobacco, The world was our oyster.

WIDDEN VALLEY:

It could just be me, but there is this feeling I got when a familiar 4WD turned up to our place at the top of the couldersack, Mum has thrown me together some tatty old clothes in a bag, and Dad yells from downstairs, “B.A. (thats what he calls me even now, Benn. Adam) we are off like a brides nighty”
“Where to?” i yell back, even though i didn’t really care what the answer was, i knew it was gonna be worth it.
I’d settle up in the back seat next to Luke, Uncle Mal would be driving, and Dad navigating. Our hunting gear was in the boot and we were off. To this day i couldn’t tell you how on earth we got to Widden Valley, but it was paradise. Dad, and Uncle Mal and a few other blokes had built a hut by the river, there was no electricity, bunk beds, and an open fire place. There were rabbits everywhere and Luke would hunt with Uncle Mal, and Dad and I would team up together. I haven’t been there for years however, it feels like only yesterday we were stalking bunnies and sleeping like babies in that Hut in Widden Valley.

MUSICALS WITH MUM:

My first musical experience with Mum was in Darling Harbour. We were sat in this ridiculously large and stupidly hot tent watching “Starlight Express” I had no idea what i was in for but it was epic. What could be more entertaining than people buzzing around on roller skates singing to amazing scores of music!
Our second helping of musical together was one of my favourites, “Cats” We went to see it at Civic Theatre in Newcastle. The lights when out and the opening act began with these “cool cats” with amazing bodies frolicking through the audience. I was so impressed, especially when “Ostipher Jones in white spats” was being belted out. I doug the vinyl Mum had of the broadway production out and i used to put it on when she was doing the ironing of a Sunday afternoon. We would sing along loudly while the dorset tones of the lawn mower hummed in the background as Dad was mowing the lawn.

MEAT PIES:

What could be more satisfying than a meat filled pastry bomb with tomato sauce on a cold day, or hot day for that matter. Some like to eat it with a knife and fork, not me though. Just slide enough out of the paper bag to bite on and your set. I just wish the word “Gourmet” wasn’t invented, because they would still be a dollar.

MICHAEL JACKSON:

Now before your mind wonders to the negative connotation associated with this name let me tell you a story. Barry, the entrepreneur was having a discussion with his best mate, he says “You know Frank, you see those 3 high rise buildings in the city that house over 900 employees, well i built them. Do you think i will be remembered for that when i get old? And do you know that foundation that allows the less fortunate the opportunity to purchase their own home! Do you think i will be remembered for that when i get old?” Frank turns to Barry and says, “whats your point mate?”
Barry raises his fist and says, “All these good things i have done, all the time i have spent trying to create things are all forgotten because i FUCKED ONE GOAT!” hahaha.
Now MJ, although has been riddled with a series of bad press and made a few decisions that we will never really know were true or not, was a pioneer. It wasn’t Gloria Estefan that made me want to put on my slipperiest of socks and try and do the moon walk. It wasn’t Motley Crue that told me it don't matter if your black or white, and it sure wasn’t Elton John that made me want to start with the “Man in the Mirror” It was MJ! Nuff said.

MY MATES DADS PORN COLLECTION:

Nothing says “jackpot” more than an adolescent male going to his dads wardrobe to find a belt and seeing the words “Debbie Does Dallas” written in black sharpie on a VHS tape. I was halfway through eating a butterscotch biscuit when my mate bolted out with the VHS in hand like Willy Wonker finding the last Golden Ticket. We threw it in the video player, rewound it to the start and hit the play button. I remember the opening scene so well. This tight locked blonde who we assumed was Debbie was taken into custody for god-knows-whatever reason. The sheriff came to her cell, puffs out his chest and the words, “I’ve gotta check you for drugs” are muffled behind his bold yet somehow amazing handlebar soup strainer. Debbie, all innocent in her short cheerleading skirt sooks, “I don’t have any” and Mr. Sherrifproudmoustache grins and says....”well we’ll see about that” and bang. The music Atypical of the seediest of 80’s porn kicks in. Heavy baseline and synth with an overzealous pitch bend. It was flawless. My mate, who we will call “Dave” for the benefit of protecting his identity, lets out an “ohhhhhhhhhh yeah!” and we both grasp for couch pillows to cover....the un-ironed pleats in our suit pants.
Neither of us could wait for a parent free day at “Dave’s” house after that. All of a sudden butterscotch biscuits seemed less interesting.

These are five things i love(d)

What are/were yours?

B xx

Whats not to be loved about this?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:03:57 +0800

Im going to begin this blog with a quote...

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind. But in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”

10 Points to the person who tweets me the author of that without googling it.

I love this game. Everything it is, the journey, the process and the adventures that this sport brings me are just epic. I guess you could also say that i am a guy likes to impact on people in different ways. Positively is obviously the goal but i really can’t do much about those who harvest ill feelings towards me, i can only give energy to those i care about.

London is around the corner and you know what...I’m excited about it. I know there has been a bit of press about how i’m out of shape or “struggling” with this or that but you can’t expect many of the people who write about what i do to actually have much clue how i actually periodise my year do you? So we will give them that.
I had a comp last week in Sweden, the World Indoor Challenge, which i won....(thanks for asking) didn’t feel sensational and hey presto, 36 hrs of flights and seasons best. Pleased with that effort. What im more pleased about is the fact that i can see the work that i have been doing in Australia has put me in a great position. My marks in training and testing are well ahead of where i was last year i’m just interested now in keeping motivated, happy, and free from aches and pains.

Regarding the quote i began my blog with. I think it explains itself pretty well. I don’t ever want to be bored. Hence the suits i compete in and my never ending quest to experience moments with people that need no analysis or deep thought. They just are.

London is another adventure for me. London and I aren’t scared of eachother, we are excited for our embrace, its gonna be a great time and i’m going to be ready for it.

Feel free to jump on board if your interested.

Haters... you can keep on hating.

B xx

Interview Post Competition Perth Tour

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:26:58 +0800

Was a nice meet in Perth. Great crowd and some nice performances from our athletes.

Here are my thoughts on my competition with Sam Maxwell.

Enjoy xx

Interview with Luke Pentony-The Bell Lap

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:21:56 +0800

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-09/the-bell-lap/3880158?section=sport

Click the link above and listen to an interview i did with Luke Pentony on ABC Grandstands “The Bell Lap”

Enjoy.