Alex Rose

stats:

Height: 6’2”(1.88m)

Weight: 280 lbs(127kg).

I compete for Samoa in the discus throw, and am training for the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games this summer. My personal best with the discus is 61.35m thrown at Claremont College May/2015.

My fall and winter training has all been very successful on multiple levels. Lifting has been fantastic. In 2014 I had a bad pec tear during a competition in Chula Vista, CA at the Olympic Training Center. Not only did this end my collegiate career, but the injury was a major inhibitor during my 2015 season, even after my successful surgery and recovery. I didn’t feel as if I could safely lift heavy weight without risking another setback. So far this year I have felt stronger than ever, and I’ve made some big improvements for many of my lifts.

I spend a lot of time trying to learn how other people throw far. For example, I might watch multiple videos on Mart Israel, then switch to Apostolos Parellis and try to see how each of them gets the discus to fly in a different way. I might then switch to Ehsan Haddadi, Victor Hogan, or Gerd Kanter. I think that in the coaching world there is far too much focus on using the top two or three guys as a “template” for an athlete. My philosophy is that understanding many different techniques can only help you, so I try to branch out.

My new coach Dane Miller, co-owner of Earth Fed Muscle, has written me fantastic workouts and gives me regular technical analysis via of my throw via YouTube. This is a huge asset, as I currently train by myself while coaching the throwers at Aurora University. Last month I threw the 59.97m at an indoor discus meet at Grand Valley State University for a 5 meter indoor PR. I’m very proud of this throw, as it has generally been very difficult for me to throw the discus far indoor. I credit this result to the insane amount of non-reverse throws and throws with heavy discs that I have taken during the fall. Dane was very adamant about figuring out my finish, as I used to come off the ground extremely early during my throw, so naturally he wrote me throwing sessions full of non-reverses. The heavy discs(2.25k, but I will be getting a 2.5k soon) have really helped my stability and control during the movement.

To stay sane I try to play pickup basketball once every week or so. I generally have a very positive attitude when I’m training, but taking small “breaks” from throwing or lifting by having some fun and being athletic is great for the soul! I’ve always had a big vertical jump, so I always look forward to getting a dunk on someone during a game(admittedly at the deficit to my ankles, sometimes during the track season. Still sorry about that Coach Ridgway). Because of my size and weight, most people don’t see it coming, which makes it a lot more fun for me!  I’m not necessarily encouraging throwers to play basketball (especially during their season), but I do think that taking a break from the monotony of training is healthy. It reminds us why we became athletes in the first place- because it’s FUN!