Hard throw

Name: James Morey

Profession: Attorney with Bond Schoeneck & King in Naples

Age: 48

Passion: Throwing the javelin

Nationally ranked: Morey is currently ranked 16th in the nation as a javelin thrower in his age group. He won a bronze medal at the USA Track & Field National Masters Track and Field Championships in July 2014 in Winston-Salem, N.C., with a throw of 36.22 meters (nearly 120 feet).

How he started: Morey threw the javelin as a member of his high school and college track teams, but like many busy professionals he stopped that endeavor as he got older. But watching the 2012 Summer Olympic Games inspired him. “A buddy of mine had done masters level swimming,” Morey recalls. He discovered that USA Track & Field has a masters program that includes an annual championship.

Starting over: Morey says he purchased a javelin online at EverythingTrackAndField.com and started practicing again in 2013. He acknowledges he was a little sore at first, but he has been careful to ease back into the sport so he doesn't pull a muscle. “I've got to show up for work,” he chuckles. Morey has endured good-natured ribbing from family. “Your arm's going to fall off,” his brother-in-law joked.

What it costs: Javelins for training cost about $400 to $500. A competition javelin can cost as much as $3,000. Until he reaches age 50, the competition javelin has to weigh 800 grams. Starting at age 50, the javelin can weigh 100 grams less. Javelins are about seven feet long and Morey has to lower the back seat to slide his javelin through the trunk of his sedan. “It runs the whole length of the car,” he says.

When he practices: “I've been doing it early Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m.,” Morey says. He usually practices on a remote soccer field at the North Collier Regional Park at that time to avoid people. “Sunday morning is peaceful,” he says. “I've been doing it for a solid two to two-and-a-half years.”

Loosen up: Before he starts throwing the javelin on Sunday mornings, Morey has a warm-up routine that includes a half-mile run and squats. “You've got to loosen up well,” Morey explains. “You really use your whole body.” For example, Morey takes 16 strides before he launches the javelin. “I only throw hard once a week,” he says. Of the 20 to 25 throws he makes on Sunday, about six will be hard, he says.

Strength: During the week, Morey practices technique with a training device that looks like a javelin handle attached to a bungee cord. Morey ties the bungee cord to a fence or post and practices the throwing motion. He also throws 800-gram rubber balls at a wall for an hour twice a week.

Goal: “My goal is in the 40-meter range,” Morey says. The best javelin thrower in his age group hit 62 meters last year, but most of the top 10 competitors are in the 40-meter range. Moving up an age bracket doesn't mean competition is less intense. Some of the top throwers in the 50-to-55 age bracket hit the 50-meter range. The masters track and field championships will take place in Jacksonville in July and his wife and four children will be there to cheer for him.
Setting priorities: Family and work come first. “Some guys take it very seriously,” Morey says. “I'm trying not to get crazy about this,” he smiles. “I want to win,” Morey acknowledges, but he adds: “I'm not going to break any records.” Morey says he enjoys the camaraderie of meeting other athletes his age. “I'm just trying to balance,” he says.