Craving for ENERGY!

The most dissuading thing about being an athlete is not having enough energy to do what your mind is determined to do! On that note I can say energy, I crave for everyday! I may appear to be lazy to some while I relax and store my energy, but that's because they know not what happens whilst I'm in training. Without the required energy, you become useless, you become lazy when you most desire to work, you begin to deteriorate and performance starts to decline. Nothing can make you least happier!
Well of course I have a reason as to why I decided to contribute this to my blog. The reason being, is the appearance of me being lazy at home! As Christmas approaches, I am expected to deliver a certain amount of assistance at home. However this being the 1st Christmas as an athlete, my house mates would have to understand that some other alternative is required, because with my schedule thats a 'no no'. For I to be training in the gym then to do cardiovascular after gym training is another level of determination that can't allow for house chores. Of course I am expected to do my regular, (make my bed, clean my room etc.) everyday housekeeping responsibility, but when it comes to having to paint and get on my knees to contribute extra energy which can be better used at the gym for greater development.... No way!
I am not encouraging anyone to be lazy with this contribution though, don't get me wrong! What is being said is that as a determined athlete with great dreams, you are expected to put your feet down and stand up and say when you think enough is enough! Though others may be upset or feel unfairly treated, they have to understand what is taking place in your life and in the end when success has come they will understand and forget all the negativity. I know I speak as though I have already made it and I know this is what would happen but it's only logical that they would be very appreciative. Hard work pays off, do your part and let God do the rest...

Health

Pleased I am not! Shot putt throwing is definitely getting to me! As I become better at this sport I feel as though I am becoming less healthy. I am gaining pounds! You see, this sport requires a lot of gym training, this means, a lot of carbohydrates and a lot of calories and hence no fat loss but rather gain. Now, I certainly am not going to quit because the sport is dramatically changing my body to a form I don't acknowledge. I am going to proceed by increasing cardiovascular exercises and slightly changing the way I eat and what I eat.
I would have to monitor calorie intake, quit eating 3 hours before bed, consume much more protein and reduce the amount of fat consumed.
I am very concerned about this switch though. I think I am required to remain big and with the extra fat, to reach my full potential in the sport but with this switch I will be more tired during training, I would experience a drop in body mass and maybe my performance would decline.
However, I Garth Williams am willing to give it a try! I am determined to look lean and muscular while still giving the best at what I do. I need to look and feel healthy and the way it has been going I appeared unhealthy and somewhat overweight.
I will proceed with a cardiovascular exercise everyday after training and rest on Sundays. With prayer, hard work and determination i will become the best!

Technically Speaking

So after months and months of training constantly being told "it's not strength, it's technique that counts" I've finally come to a point where I can say I'm getting somewhere. Of course my technique isn't perfect but as my throwing becomes noticeably further than usual I can say that my technique has definitely improved and to the point where I can say its satisfying.

Coming to the end of my 1st year in track and field and my last year in the under 16 age category, I'm ready to face the under 20 realm on challenges. I've noticed a significant improvement in my throwing and without a doubt, my hard work is paying off.

As I enter into this new phase of competition I've decided to set new goals and push myself to new limits. With my 1st year of under 20 approaching, I've decided that there must be no playing around while training. While at the gym i must concentrate on workouts that would improve my technique more so than my strength.

Having been exposed to the gliding technique , a lot of effort is being put into mastering it. The problem with such technique isn't getting it down, its very easy to do, however, applying it with your throwing is where the problem persists. With practice comes perfection so in time to come i'll be a pro!

From the constant training and hard work I've learnt that techniques is really what counts while gym training is simply the fuel. Just as a car needs gas to go we need the gym to throw.

Obstacles

Arrgghh!! weeks and weeks passed and Ishmael, my coach seemed so unwilling to train me. I would turn out for training everyday, on time and he would not even acknowledge the fact that I'm present. Furthermore, when training, he would only instruct the more experienced athletes and ignore the upcoming.
I came to realize he was challenging us, he wanted us to show our interest and demand respect. He wanted to see if we were persistent. I never quit, and never lapsed i stayed strong and i pushed through. While my counterparts failed to remain in the sport, I being the least experienced continued and got motivation from my weakness. Realising that my coach wanted us to challenge him, I approached him about advancing in level. I wanted to train with the big guys! He actually said no, he said I am not ready yet! I was pissed and quitting still never crossed my mind!
That day onwards, Ishmael began to recognise me. Things changed! I was introduced to the free weights and gliding throws the following week and i felt a huge weight off my shoulders.
Jumping being a very important preparation for throwing shot putt, was very difficult for me to perform. The coach would get frustrated when he told me to jump the hurdles and I was unable to. This in particular was very demotivating for me. I felt like a failure every time I missed a jump. I was so upset with myself I punished myself with ten laps for not accomplishing my goal. I would go home and practice very hard and results was absent. eventually after weeks and weeks of abuse I was successful in completing the jumps. I would make it across each hurdle without a trip. Proud I was!
Though my training abilities progressed I failed to notice any improvement in my distance of throws. This was extremely depressing because I trained very hard. I only came to realise that it takes lengthy time for distance to improve and when it does it is barley noticeable, after doing many researches. My head was back in the game
As training got more intense, I faced the troubles of being able to keep up with my academics. I had to find that balance between school and training and I never found it. I had to make a decision and I chose shot putt. I knew I wasn't the best, I knew I had many challenges, I knew that there was a chance that I would not be successful but at the same time I knew I loved shot putt. Shot putt became my priorety, it became an addiction it became a part of me!

Birth!

I am Garth Williams! Garth Williams, a simple everyday guy who felt the need to get into track and field as my weight started to become uncontrollable. Starting off as an amateur runner I was told I have fast arms so maybe a throwing event would do me well. Personally I knew that wasn't the case. I knew what that coach wanted to say is you are too fat to progress as a runner. Though I was the fastest athlete he had, (he mostly produced long and high jumpers) he thought I couldn't get much improvement. Of course I wasn't going to end there! I continued as a runner with my head up high. Deep down I knew though, that the running really wasn't gonna benefit me other than that I would lose a few pounds.
Not until my school, Queen's Royal College had its sports day I realized "well okay throwing is definitely my thing" I participated in the throwing of the shot putt. I had no experience in the event and well... I dominated! I was victorious and I placed 1st. After sports day I couldn't help but think about getting in-depth training for shot putt throwing. I thought and thought and came to realise that my real purpose for getting into track and field was not to become the best but simply to get back in shape. I was not motivated by the fact that shot putt throwers were predominantly bigger breathes of individuals.
Of course I couldn't make a decision without trying the event myself. I took it upon myself to approach the head of the track and field department of Q.R.C about getting training for the field event. I was then instructed to attend the training sessions at the Hasley Crawford Stadium. Anxious I was as I set out to embark on this new journey. Never crossed my mind that I would end up loving it so much, I headed for the stadium on a rainy Monday evening to begin. When the coach came I was very nervous. He APPEARED to be very intimidating and I most determinately was intimidated!
As everyone got prepared for training I approached the coach explaining my presence. He asked my age in his Cuban accent "hao oye ah you?" took me about seven times before I could understand. After explaining everything, I began! The coach seemed very reluctant to train me but whilst doing what was required, I enjoyed myself. I had to return!