New to throws

[tallgal]

Hello. My name is Nicky and I juststarted training for throws only 2 weeks ago, aged30. I really want to be good at this, as I not only enjoy it, it is helping me lose weight and keep fit and healthy.
I need information on the best clubs in London (pref as close as possible to the Heathrow area).
I am 6 ft 2 inches, female,mum of two and work full-time.
Thank you.
Nicky.

[Lovett]

Try this www.clubfinder.org.uk/ Its a list of all the club websites from each county!

[JB]

Hi Nicky,

Great to hear that youve started throwing, good luck finding a club, it shouldt be too hard with the help of the people on this site... together we cover vast area's of the country. just thought i would drop a note to say good luck with the javelin, im 26 and only started throwing last august. i had no previous experience at all and like you the main aim was to enjoy myself and get fitter. it was the best decision i ever made, ive made some great mates and shed a stack load of weight and feel in great shape.... i might not be steve backley yet but theres still time !!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D anyway all the best and if you need any tips on training, technique, diet or preparation this is the site to be on, its got the lot !

[tallgal]

Hello JB.

I've decided to join Richmond and Twickenham Athletics club at Barn Elms. At the moment, I'm doing discus, shot, hammer and javelin.

Javelin is proving to be my worst sport so far, the hammer and shot seem to 'come to me' naturally.

I have lots of questions about diet. So far, I'm using 'common sense' i.e lots of fruit and veg, cutting down on fat and sugar. I try to jog, very slowly 2 miles 3X a week and do some weights at the end of each session.

I'm no Tessa Sanderson or Fatima Whitbread either, but we'll get there some day!!!

[benfisher]

good luck to you ;D

[tallgal]

Guys,

I'm a little intimidated by your PBs. I've only been at it 3 weeks to date but my 'PBs', if you can call them that are as follows:-

Javelin 9m
Discus 12 m
Shot put 10m
Hammer 23m (only started this week)

Should I give up now?

[JB]

dont even think about giving up one little bit it will come together belive me. as far as pb's go i only know javelin as ive never measured the other ones but when i started throwing i was 18/19 stone (i trained in the gym and dieted to get down from 21st cos i was too embarrased to go and train with new people looking like jabba the hut !) i could only throw 25-28m and that was despite the fact im a tall guy (6'2- 6'3 ish) was a very good cricketer in my youth and could always throw balls far.
i went along and trained with people many of which were less than half my age and im quite sure found it very amusing to destroy me in circuits (as i nearly puked and passed out) and throw further, this is my first season and almost a year on now and i throw almost 44m weigh under 16 stone for the first time in 8 years and am second best thrower in my club behind a guy who holds uk age group records. stick with it mate enjoy yourself and push yourself and you'll love it.
with regards to pb's and diet if you hunt around there are some long posts already on these subjects in the training and general chat sections so you can see how you compare (the weights in the gym comparisons scared the living daylights out of me so be prepared !) hope this helps

[tallgal]

Cheers.

Move over Lorraine Shaw, here comes Nicky!!!

[motherhen]

There are people who throw a lot less than you in league matches at the moment!

Keep the chin up. I joined a club as a 10m javelin thrower and now throw 32m. My hammer as also improved 10m ish (admittedly shot and discus never improved much but yeh ).

Agree the hammer looks promising though

[tallgal]

Phew!!!

Thanks Motherhen. I was beginning to get worried.

[benfisher]

tallgal said:

Cheers.

Move over Lorraine Shaw, here comes Nicky!!!

thats the spirit

[tallgal]

That's another thing that I need information on.

What are leagues? Are there different classes of leagues? Can clubs move between leagues?

I really sound thick here.

[motherhen]

There is various leagues that run across the country. What league you in depends on how good you club is and what age group. Best way of thinking about it is like football leagues. The better clubs are in the UK league (bit like main footy league), below that are the regional leagues eg for you the Southern League. As in football each year so many clubs get promoted and so many get relegated.

The other competition are cup/plate matches bewteen clubs (usually best athlete in each event), open meetings (have a go) plus championship events. Dont be too scared of championships though as the county championships are just like a big open meeting and you dont need a standard to do them. Just have a bash.

The best way to find out what league your club is just to ask. If you do get really good at an event and find the competition is too easy you can compete in another club as a "higher competiton status" athlete but dont worry about that yet. Just enjoy what your doing and enjoy the team spirt you get in league matches.

[FinchFan89]

TEXTIt is never too late to start throwing and everyone has to start somewhere! Dont be ashamed about your PB.. you will improve! Stick at it and enjoy yourself! ;D

[sarah]

Hi Nicky

Well done on taking up this sport and dont give up keep up the training and get a good winter training behind you.You really will see the different in your throwing next year.I'm not the best javelin thrower in the world i have a p.b of just over 28m(i also do discus pb of 35m and shot pb of 9m) but i do it because i enjoy it.My main event is the hammer and when i started the event i was throwing just under 20m im now throwing just under 50m, and this weekend i am competing for G.B for the first time.So just keep it going and you will find your event thats best for you.You are doing the right thing by trying out all 4 of the throwing events.

All the best