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SCARBOROUGH — Steve Pelletier’s muscle memory is intact. Each time his right hand grips a javelin, his body knows exactly what it’s supposed to do. It has done it hundreds of thousands of times.

Knowing what to do and doing it, oh, those are altogether different things. That right arm Pelletier used to be able to stretch back behind his body like a kinetic energy trigger doesn’t always cooperate. A rotator cuff injury and a little arthritis fight back.

The body remembers but doesn’t react the way it used to.

“We all go through it. I’m going through it,” Pelletier, 74, said between practice throws on Scarborough High’s softball field on a sunny, summer-like late September afternoon.

Pelletier’s mind and will are just fine. The passion is something that hasn’t faded since he picked up a javelin for the first time as an Edward Little High senior in 1969. He was the runner-up in the event at the Class A championship meet that year, then went on to throw at the University of Maine.

He threw the javelin competitively for 20 years, then retired from competition for a while but remained involved in the sport, coaching at Orono High, Scarborough, Edward Little, Kennebunk and now Old Orchard Beach. He always had a hand in the sport, and in 2010, at 60, he began competing again.

Pelletier was Masters national champion in 1983 and 1984, with throws of 188 feet, 10 inches, and 184-10. He was in his early 30s. Both of those throws would have placed him second in last spring’s Class A high school championship meet.

“I think it comes down to, in 2010 — be right back,” Pelletier said before gripping one of his two javelins tightly in his right hand and marching out his steps. After a throw, he returned to finish his thought.

“Where was I? I felt good so I figured, why not compete?”

Pelletier has a meet in Norwich, Vermont, this weekend, the final one of the season. He had one there last weekend, too. He typically throws the javelin 70 to 80 feet now, 20 or 30 feet less than just a year ago. He can measure the passing of time in the walks from the foul line to his javelin, which are getting shorter.

He knows he can be seen as a role model, or an inspiration. That’s not why he keeps throwing. He still enjoys it, the way one might enjoy collecting stamps or reading every Stephen King novel.

“This is a hobby. A very serious hobby,” Pelletier said.

Midway through Pelletier’s practice session, his wife, Kathy, arrives. On her phone, she records a few of his throws. He calls her his biggest supporter and critic, and knows he needs both. Pelletier will study the video later. With a coach’s eye, he’ll break it down and find the subtle things he can change to throw just a little farther.

He’s been a ski instructor and a car salesman. He’s coached throwers and cross country runners. The javelin has been his sanctuary for 56 years. Seventeen years ago, Pelletier was inducted into the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame. He’s been an All-American in his age group numerous times. A very serious hobby, indeed.

When he goes to meets these days, Pelletier offers tips to the competition. He can’t help it. He’s been coaching javelin for 50 years.

Pelletier’s license plate is his one word, slightly misspelled biography: THROWR.

Over and over, Pelletier goes through his paces. Run, cock arm, throw. Toward the end of his workout, he adds a little grunt to the throw, giving it that extra oomph. A few throws take flight a little higher and soar a little straighter, land and dig into the earth with a little more authority.

“There we go!” Pelletier said. “There we go!”

When he throws like that, the rotator cuff doesn’t feel so sore. Pelletier feels pretty good now.

“This is to gear up for next season,” he said.

Pelletier pointed the javelin toward the direction he’d been throwing it, as if making a promise.