So back in the late winter, I signed up for the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh and decided I would go with him. I also decided at that time that I would not put much effort into it, as I chose to shoot ASA events this year and figured my time would be better spent trying to figure out that game. I knew I'd probably pay the price for not putting much into it, but it was worth the risk. I ended up making arrows, getting marks on the bow and shooting one practice round for score. The bow didn't seem overly forgiving, but it worked well enough for my liking to not spend anymore time on it. I shot an 891 on the practice round and called it good.
Practice Day
Going into it, I knew I couldn't shoot many arrows. My shoulders are basically shot. They just can't handle many arrows anymore. I actually made people aware that I might bag it after the first day and call it good. I didn't want to mess them up any worse before the last 3D events of the year. So for the practice time, I decided to shoot arrows at each distance to make sure my marks were good.
I started at 50 and sprayed arrows all over. I wasn't too happy about that. Then, I moved to 60 and shot two ends, shooting a 60 and a 59, barely missing one arrow to the right. From there, I went to 40 and shot a golf-ball sized group, blowing up two pins. After that, I tried a few more arrows at 40 with a different release, and the group opened up a little.
Then, I followed my dad to the 60-yard bale and shot one more end. After shooting a perfect end, I packed my bow up, and we headed back to the motel. I felt ready for the event.
Day 1
I shot a handheld release during the two practice ends then switched to a caliper for the first scoring end. The caliper did the trick on practice day, and I simply aim the bow better, shoot a more relaxed shot, and it allows me to shoot with far less tension in my hands than when I'm shooting a handheld. When I drew the bow for the first scoring arrow, everything felt rock solid. The bow sat down quickly and I executed a perfect shot. The arrow pierced the spider, and I was on my way. Six arrows later, I was staring at 59 on my scorecard. It's always nice to start a round with a solid score. Everything flowed into the second end without thought, and I nailed a 60. I was cursing, felt good, and knew my A-game was sitting in my quiver. My time had finally come.
When I drew my bow in the third end, my sight picture changed from the two previous ends. It got a little jittery, which made some tension surface. It wasn't anything I haven't dealt with in the past, but it was enough for me to notice the difference. I ignored the movement and focused on making good shots.
Well, when the round closed, I was staring at a 53 on the scorecard. I pulled the arrows and paid no attention to it. I know you always hit peaks and valleys in shooting, so I focused on my first two ends, which were basically flawless. I ended up finishing the last two ends as I started with the first two and got off 60 yards at 10 down. It was far below where I thought I should've been, but it wasn't too terribly bad. I figured if I could clean the rest, I would be in really good shape. Heck, even if I dropped one or two, I woulds till be sitting pretty.
As the round progressed, the wind picked up a little. Compared to most shooters, I shoot an incredibly light bow, so windy conditions make it difficult to hold the bow well. Although the wind didn't seem to affect my fellow competitors, it wreaked havoc on me. I began blowing arrows out the right side of the 10-ring on a regular basis.
I made some great shots, but I began dropping points like they were for sale at a flea market. I wasn't able to limit the damage, and before I knew it, I was standing there looking at what could have been. I also ran into something in the second to last end that I'd like to share because if you shoot long enough, it's bound to happen. In the second to last end of the round, there was one arrow out of the 24 arrows in the bale that was out of the 10-ring. It was not my arrow. As the arrows were being scored, I wasn't paying attention, but I thought I heard the arrow caller say "five 10s and a 9 for 59," when he was calling arrows. Then, I heard him say the same thing on the last person's card. I knew that was impossible, but I never stopped him before the arrows began getting pulled. I lost the one point that I had actually earned. I shot a 60 on that end, but never questioned the call because I wasn't paying enough attention until after the fact. So always pay attention. There are too many arrows being called and shot for a person to never make mistakes. Mistakes will happen, but they can't be corrected once the arrows are pulled. Luckily, that one point didn't lead to anything, but it very well could've. That's a lesson everyone should take with them.
When I handed my card in and walked off the field, I was beyond pissed off. I had just handed in the lowest score I had ever shot on a 900 round... an 875. I was beside myself. How in the world could I have shot an 875, especially getting off from 60 at 10 down. I didn't pay much attention to it, but it still stung. After all, I hadn't put much into it, and it was the first time I had shot that bow anywhere other than in my backyard. Really, what should I have expected? It as also the first 900 round I had shot since the second round of last year's National Senior Games in Ft. Lauderdale, and that event was in May of last year. I basically got what I deserved. If you don't put the work in, you get what you put into it.
Day 2
Going into Day 2, I wasn't too happy about being on bale 2 knowing I should've been on bale 1. I sucked it up and knew I would have a good time. I was shooting with Greg McBride and Bryan McNeely, and I shot with both of them the previous day. Although they are both good guys, I hit it off with Greg, and we have many mutual friends.
As we started talking he asked me if I knew Shawn Couture. That's when I knew we were good. Anyone who thinks Shawn is a good dude and says great things about him is definitely a friend of mine. I've know Shawn since he was in the youth classes, and I've always enjoyed being around him and his wife, Wendy. I still see them as kids in the youth class... and damn... it seems like it was about 10 years ago. I feel fortunate to have grown up with people like them in New England and still be able to share some laughs with them now when I see them a few times a year.
As we began shooting, my day started off just like it did during the first round. I got off to a great start. Once again, I had one bad end at 60, but I put my foot on the gas and held my own. My shot got a little choppy on my first arrow at 50, but I straightened that out quickly. I stopped and relaxed after firing the first arrow. I told myself to shoot my shot like I shoot it in the backyard and to stop being hesitant. I began talking myself through every shot, and every shot became powerful and relaxed. I rolled the next three ends, cleaning all of them and stacking up the Xs.
When I drew my bow in the fourth end at 50, I couldn't figure out when the sight picture was nothing like it had been. It was bouncing all over, and I couldn't get my shot to break cleanly. Within a few minutes I had sent four arrows into the 9 ring and couldn't explain how they got there. Walking to the target, I found the problem. When pulling arrows I was taking my release off and putting it in my pouch. I never looked when I reached in and grabbed it to put it on that end. Well, I had on my spare release, which is a little longer than the one I had been using. It caused my shot to become erratic, and it was all my own fault. I lost my focus and let my concentration go to an area it never should've gone. After that end, I went back to what I had been doing and cleaned the next round at 50.
When the round ended, I walked off with an 885. I was back to a score that I could live with. Although it wasn't one of my best, I can deal with an 885. I would've liked for it to be better, but once again, I was learning the bow over the course of the two rounds and trying to figure out the things you can't figure out in your yard while practicing.
My Take on the Weekend
I had a much better time than I had anticipated. My mom was supposed to go with us, but due to her recent battles she has faced, she was unable to go. Instead, she spent time with my sister at home and cheered us on from afar. I always appreciate my mother's kindness and words of encouragement when she watches from home. I wish she was still well enough to go with us, but I know that she is always with me when I'm grinding through the round.
Meeting Greg this weekend was a treat. I really enjoy shooting with some people, and I enjoyed standing side by side with him and shooting. I respect people who have been there and done that. This dude is the real deal and can flat-out pound. When you are always in the hunt in everything you have ever shot, that says a lot about your shot and your mental game. I learn a lot from these people and find it easy to relate to them. Greg's buddy Kevin Barto was shooting his first National Senior Games event too. Kevin is a 3D shooter, and he's a great guy too. I look forward to seeing him at the few IBOs that are left this year. He's working on his numbers and improving along the way. I wish him success, as 3D can challenge anyone on any day. Some days the targets look 20 yards and some days they look 40. I know this style of shooting has always helped me in 3D, and that is why I do it. It's a necessary evil for me. I don't like it, but I know it makes me better. I have no problem executing one great shot at every station on a 3D course. This game has helped immensely with that.
Greg's unique bow sling: Miller Time
My buddy Leon Sepuka from Massachusetts impressed me at this event. He will get his own column space in the coming days, so you'll all have to revisit the blog to read about my thoughts on Leon. The Mainiacs did it once again, with a few of them bringing medals home. They always get it done, with Dana Cyr leading the way and repeating as gold medalist. New England has always produced great shooters, and this is what makes so many others do well in our region. There are always people to chase and look up to. It brings everyone's game up.
I got to shoot with Dave Ferrie on day 1 and right next to him on day 2. Dave is a fellow Darton shooter, and he and his wife are great people. They enjoyed themselves and even visited a local archery shop to use up some of their spare time. Dave, being a knowledgable guy, tried helping a woman who was having bow problems on practice day. It's always nice to see others reach out to help less fortunate people, and that's exactly what Dave did without being asked. I enjoyed his company all weekend, and we had a great time. I look forward to possibly shooting with him again in New England if our schedules ever match up. I apologize if I whined too much for ya Dave. I had my moments of frustration to contend with along the way, and sometimes I don't realize I should probably shut up. My apologies if I carried on for too long about anything.
I felt bad for Dad at this event. This is what he is good at, and he has been practicing really well. He didn't shoot well at the tournament. He used to always be at the top, and after getting sick a few years ago, the road back has been choppy at best. Well, we believed he was finally there, and I think he probably put a little too much pressure on himself to shoot his practice scores in the tournament. He tried too hard and went in with expectations. Expectations and trying too hard can deteriorate the very best in the game. However, you have to learn to move on from your defeats and take whatever positives you can out of the events that transpired. That's the only way you will ever overcome the bad moments and not revisit them. Revisiting them will only increase the odds of them happening again.
And what do I take out of my performance? Well, I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't disappointed. Last year, I broke a record at this event that had stood for 10 years, then had my record broke in the next end. In the Senior Games they keep track of the top 10 scores ever shot in each bracket. After this event, I now have two of the best 10 scores ever shot in my age bracket. I will not have another chance to add to that, as I will be in the next age bracket if I shoot at the next National Senior Games. I'm sure I'll eventually fall out of the top 10, but I'm currently in there two times, and I know many people who would kill to be able to say that. My father was in third for a long time in the 60-64 age bracket I believe, but he has gradually fallen lower and lower, with the scores this year possibly finally dropping him out of the top 10. He had the 6th best score ever shot the last time I checked. I'll take that with me. Looking back on it, I wish my shoulder was in better shape to have been able to practice a lot, but it is what it is. It's called aging.
I"m headed to the last leg of the IBO National Triple Crown this weekend. I'm currently in 3rd place overall. I'll give it my best and see where it all shakes out.
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