Fitchburg, Massachusetts was very, very cold today.
My performances were not stellar, but not bad considering the elements.
Back to training hard for actual warm weather outdoor meets.
All in all however, I can't think of a better way to have spent my 60th birthday.  I beat 70%  of the college boys I competed against.  Probably more.
That does NOT include the high jump.  Old guys can't jump and it has nothing to do with race.

This was last June in VT.  I jumped about the same height today, just wearing a lot more layers.

My outdoor track season begins this Saturday, on my 60th birthday.  I'm traveling to Fitchburg, MA, where I may be the only 'Masters' competitor at a college invitational meet.  Actually, I really enjoy interacting with the young student athletes.
My expectations are low as it's going to only be in the upper 40s (but sunny!).  If I reach my goal in each event, I'll be rated in the top ten in each of my events before many of the top national competitors get their seasons started.
My real springtime test will be the third week in May when I go to the Connecticut Senior Games.
And this all leads up to the National Senior Games in Cleveland in late July.
On this blog you will be able to follow my thrill of victory and agony of defeat.  You will meet some interesting characters along the way.

The first character, and one you may see the most, is Mike Fortunato. He is my throwing guru.  Listing Mike's accomplishments would take too long but eventually we'll get to most of them.  For now, suffice to say that Mike is a discus thrower who rates with the best in the world.  He is generous with his knowledge.  I feel very lucky to be learning from him.

If Mike were joining me Saturday (he says he not ready) he would probably record a throw 15-20' better than anyone in the U.S. has thrown so far this year.  Seriously.

Welcome

This is my sports blog.  Why does a 60 year old  "never was" want his own sports blog?  
There needs to be a place in the world, my world anyway, where only the most unimportant things possible rule the day.  Just sports and anything less crucial for the already idle mind.  
That does not mean we have no bias here at Fatjumper.  
Track & Field is worth a 10 here while Soccer is a 4 and Synchonized Swimming is -10.  Football is a 9, basketball is a 9, baseball is a 9.  No NASCAR.  Sorry.



If you are too young to remember Jim McKay utter, "the agony of defeat" you are probably not going to find anything here of interest.

If you think anyone but Muhammad Ali is the best heavyweight who ever lived; probably not your place.



"Never was" though I may be, I did participate in sports and I wasn't always fat.




Remember when Bill Toomey won the decathlon in '68 at age 29, we thought he was really old?



The only reason to consider figure skating on this blog is because Katarina Witt skated.  They sure aren't making them like HER anymore.  She could really skate.  And I bet she was nice to children.


So, if a juiced pitcher faces a juiced batter, can you hear a tree fall in the forest?


If women's basketball teams dressed like tennis players, more people would go to games.


Ask yourself, "Would I rather eat a balanced diet, refrain from bad habits, get plenty of sleep and live to be 94?"   Or, would you like to be the greatest baseball player who ever lived and die an ugly death at 53?
Really, if the Babe lived to be 94, would he have hit 1,200 homers?  Quality over quantity at Fatjumper.



Some people stay at the party too long.


And some leave FAR too soon.


Who would you rather play a round with?  I'm guessing the Walrus would buy you a beer at the 19th.



I'd like to see this year's NCAA champs play the '73 UCLA squad.


The last time I remember caring about the NBA.  But I cared a lot as a Celtic fan living in L.A.


Do you remember where you were when Al Michaels asked if you "believe in Miracles?"

Any way, there will be a semi-steady flow of images and ideas on sports here.  Check back to see video of old fat guys having fun throwing heavy objects.  (If I did silly acronyms, there would be one here.)