Get ready... set... do over

The ducks held the egg hunt early.
I prefer chocolate, myself.

Easter is the ultimate celebration of getting to start over.  For me it was the realization over the weekend by talking to a few folks that I seriously need to get my head out of my ass. No, they were nice and didn't actually say that verbatim. Most people don't like to make girls cry.

When and how it arrived there exactly, I'm not sure. But it's been so wedged in there, I've managed to fully convince myself that I really suck at this sport.  Yes, there are adjustments in equipment to be made, but NOTHING so dire to prevent me from shooting decently if I so desire. I have all the tools necessary at my disposal to fix this.

As Marcia likes to say, you don't need to change anything, just change your mind.  I ran across this lil' gem while thinking this over:
"You cannot solve problems from within the same mindset that created them."  - Einstein

Pretty much what she said.

 

Pie and Meditation

Been in the mood for pie making lately. Making pie is a bit of an art, a bit of magic and a bit of luck. Plus, I don't know of a single person that will turn down a slice all oozing with fruity goodness. Last week blueberry, this time strawberry rhubarb. Historically I don't have good luck with strawberry pie. Tends to come out runny, no matter what. I'm fooling around with a new crust, too. Even the fails taste pretty good, tho.

Was flitting around YouTube while the last pie was in the oven and ran across these polar opposite videos on archery. Competition at it's highest level vs not needing to hit the target at all.

The first one is the gold medal match of the 2010 European Tournament of Archery in Nimes, France.
Loud music, crowd cheering, flashing lights, high pressure. The need for focus and to tune out everything is paramount.

The second is a Kyudo - zen archery ceremony 
Bowing, respectful crowd, quiet ceremony. "It is not the target you aim at, it is finding yourself in the target," that is the purpose. Focus is everything.

Many high-performance archers use forms of meditation to help them focus and stay calm during stressful shooting conditions. Westerners don't traditionally use or are taught meditation and I think learning to focus is harder for us in general because of that. Not impossible, just harder to know where to begin. My gut feeling is that is part of why the Korean teams have been so powerful. Would be interesting to know if the US team has adopted that as part of their training program.

The pie set up overnight and is much better this morning. Best kind of breakfast there is.

It's Thursday

Two-fer Thursday.

Since the question of whether Calvin and Hobbes are considered to be "classic literature" came up for discussion while shooting this week.

"As a math atheist, I should be excused from this."

-Calvin

This does apply to scoring on my part.

"It's only work if somebody makes you do it"

I think you can tell which side of the page I am on.  

Nobody Panic

I have been officially diagnosed with target panic.  Like when the previous generation talks about someone with the cancer.   The voice drops to a whisper like it’s contagious or a dirty secret.  If you shoot long enough, you are going to run into this eventually. Or more than once if you’re allowed to admit it.  “My name is Amanda and I have target panic.” The first step is admitting you have a problem.

 There are lots of theories floating about as to the causes by so-called experts. Nobody really knows what it is or why it happens.

I forsee lots of blank baling in my future, which I actually find really relaxing.  Plus, it’s nice enough to practice outside and light enough to stay out until about 8:00 now. And I have a lead on a long distance bale so I can get some practice in there.

For a good laugh, check out Uncle Ted’s dissertation on the subject matter at hand.

Amen and pass the arrows.

Ok, so now what?

The indoor season is over, everyone is looking for rakes and pacing out raised bed gardens now.  I managed to do something most-unfabulous to my shoulder and feeling old as a result. No practice for me all week, which has actually been, ok. Need to sort out some new equipment (have ossum Shibuya sight for sale if you compound), clicker, why my bow wants to stack (why my shoulder hurts, perhaps?) Was assigned "make list of goals" so here is the next set for public consumption.

Aiming - I think this is part of why I am frustrated. If my form is really as good as people keep telling me, then I think this is the missing piece(s).  I am still trying to aim like a compounder, or I get it for an end and then it magically disappears. Poof. 

Clicker - see above. I don't have a good feel where the end of the arrow is. The arrow goes wherever it was aiming when the clicker goes off instead. Suminabatch.

FITA target fear - Time to blank bale for a while. I can hit the spots off my compound target, I should be able to put every arrow in the middle. Some days feel like a grudge match with that effing yellow thing.

Distances - Need to expand on these and need to figure out where I can shoot to practice them. Also need to get a new sight to accommodate this.

Improved Fitness plan - Ain't gettin any younger, if you know what I mean. Was REALLY sore this week. Didn't shoot Thursday- 3 arrows and was too painful to do 60.  Have entered 5K for work in June, but that doesn't help my shoulders.

 

Gathering steam again, so will have some energy to tackle the list. This is such a LOVE/HATE sport. 

 

Much thanks to Doug and Dan for all their instruction/videoing/listening to me whine/teasing this winter. Dan - I think I owe you some beer at this point. Great Lakes Porter?

It's Thursday...

...it's time for a deep thought from when you were a kid.
Be the Rabbit.

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," the Rabbit asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept."

I think this applies to the process of becoming a complete archer as well as a whole person. It's tough enough without being overly sensitive or high-maintenance - and I have my moments as the folks that shoot with me will attest.