World Masters Athlete Shares Javelin Techniques

I doubt I could have kept pace with Roger Koodsma when he ran his half-mile warm-up run before javelin training.  The 68-year-old is a USA Track & Field World Masters Athlete, holding a world record for his age category in the pentathlon.  I wanted to see how Koodsma throws the javelin, one of the five pentathlon events and my Peach Mango crowd leader event in the Stonyfield Frozen Oikos Decathlon.

"The training is more fun than the meets," shared the dedicated athlete.  Koodsma said he didn't get serious about track and field until he was in his 50s.  He realized he had some natural ability and kept pushing himself.  Koodsma aims for short, intense workouts for maintaining speed and power.  "You need short, quick movements," he said as he demonstrated a throw.

Koodsma suggested Peach Mango should be precise about leg and arm positions, being sure not to pull back too far before the throw.  He detailed about training, "Start off very slowly, get the arm very used to throwing.  Start off with standing throws.  Once the arm doesn't get sore anymore, feels strong then you can try the  run-up.  You have to plant the left foot, stop very quickly, pivot the waist, pull on the shoulder, and throw using the elbow, all in one sudden motion." Thanks to Koodsma for sharing training tips for Peach Mango and for inspiring all of us to keep setting fitness goals at any age.

Thanks to you for picking Peach Mango when you vote here to get your coupon and enter for prizes in the Frozen Oikos Decathlon.  Thanks Stonyfield, for the yummy frozen yogurt with zero-fat!