BEREA, OH – Today, I was handed a big dose of reality. My excitement to return to track & field as an athlete, was crushed. Despite it having been 17 years since I last competed, I expected more. Not necessarily the 44.51M throw that I had that day as a 33 year old, but certainly more than no marks. Never once in college, or as an open athlete after college, have I not at least gotten a legal throw. It is clear to me, even trying to do this casually, will require a lot more effort.

My nerves were not as bad as I expected, so I went into the day with high hopes. I’m probably showing my age by admitting I had a notecard with how I would feel at each even meter from 30M to 40M. I expected my best throw to fall in that range. One variable that I didn’t anticipate, was throwing a 700g javelin compared to an 800g. It was awful and I have subsequently learned that this weight is well known for landing flat. To add insult to injury on my first throw that landed flat, I pulled my right groin. My second throw also landed flat and wasn’t very far due to the injury. Purely out of being stubborn, I attempted my third throw with a lot of energy despite the pain. I changed my release angle and realized this javelin was going to land properly! I watched in horror as it drifted very slightly out of sector.

Today was painful as an athlete, both physically and mentally. I am certain aged athletes deal with injuries and disappointments, I just wish it wouldn’t have been my very first time trying in so many years. The inspiring dialogue at the end of the new movie “Air” comes to mind right now…

“Can you summon the will to fight on, through all the pain, and rise again?”