Update – Rising Star Programme | My first benchmark throw at Loughborough!

The academic year has just begun so recently moved to Loughborough to embark on my first season of winter training.

This seems to be the start of the cycle of the throwing calendar, with one or two months of work on general athleticism being followed by more specific strength and then power training, designed to peak in time for next year’s summer competition season. Technique work will be maintained throughout, and I’m looking forward to living close enough to the athletics field that I can get a few throws in every day before lectures (that’s how much I love it…)!

First competition

The summer has, broadly speaking, been successful. I have started throwing and training with my coach, John Pearson, and his group, and my technique has become both more controlled and more consistent. The other throwers that I train with are very skilled, and many can throw considerably further than me at this stage, but it is useful to watch their techniques, and it is extremely satisfying to see my throws creeping steadily closer to theirs.

I was involved in my first competition a couple of weeks ago and threw 30.61m off 3 turns to ensure I stayed in the circle (normally we do 4). It was really useful as I learnt a lot about the rules and technical requirements of the sport and enjoyed it a great deal. Most importantly, I am pleased to have a benchmark distance from this summer, to which I can compare my throws next year after a full season of training. Getting the maximum improvement over this distance should be just the thing to keep me motivated during the long months of indoor training!

Back to work!!!

Laura Scott, Hammer Thrower and SEVEN Rising Star