Ode To The Ohio Sectional Match
The Ode To the Ohio Sectional
‘Twas a couple of nights before the Ohio Sectional, the Buckeye Blast…
Ammo is loaded, and ready to go
Magazines ready, the shine, they do glow
CZ’s are clean, and ready to rock.
Linda is nervous, her first major match, do not mock!
Visions of Alpha’s flit thru her head
Brimming with confidence, success is ahead.
A “C” card, the object of her pride.
Saying that, now I must hide.
Reading the stage brief’s, checking the match.
Charlies and delta's I am likely to snatch.
Terrors of Mike’s, and no shoots twist my mind.
Finishing the match, no DQ, my goal I am resigned.
Lessons from the grandmaster, execute them? Perhaps.
Best I can hope for? Just no collapse.
Wine has motivated me, its taste is so fine.
My writing sucks, the humor not even sublime.
If you are reading this, your have wasted your time.
My words are stupid, it’s almost a crime.
The drive is before us, the hours so long
Following Brad, and Chris, guess which is wearing a thong?
I think one will end by wearing it on his head.
It was his girlfriend who suggested it, this truth I dread.
The miles go by, the journey is far.
Which might finish within a police car?
The wine is all gone, the Honey Jack remains.
Time to be done, my words at an end, only if you have brains.
Happy Memorial Day, see you bastards in Ohio! Good luck!
Thursday, May 22, 2014
WIILSHOOT Shutters The Doors
WIILSHOOT Shutters The Doors
Les made the announcement yesterday in a post that WIILSHOOT was closing its doors after an amazing 4 year run. Four years is a heck of a long time to run a blog, and build a community, and that's exactly what Les did. People who wanted to shoot in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin had a place to go, and find out what clubs were active, when they shot, and read some entertaining articles, and be kept abreast of news that impacted both 2nd amendment, and shooting sports.
When I go to a local match, it's almost bizarre if I don't see someone there wearing a WILLSHOOT t-shirt, or was not in some manner impacted by the site. We are talking about hundreds of people being touched, accessing the site, knowing people, or being a part of the community that WILLSHOOT helped grow. With many people using Facebook, and other mediums, and with the burden of keeping the site going for so long, I suspect Les made the decision to finally shutter his baby. I can't offer enough compliments for someone who built a real community, and gave organization and direction. There was not a paycheck in it, it was really a labor of love. Near the end, we had talked about my doing some work to help carry on what WIILSHOOT had become, and doing some writing for the website. I was never sure if my efforts were not what Les was looking for, or if he was having a hard time handing over some responsibility and giving me the keys to help. I never pressured, and the fact he was even considering it, well, he's a better man than me, because if I had built something I don't think I could have done the same. The bottom line is that the time was right, the community is built and moving, and Les deserves some time to pursue other things. Nobody has given more to a shooting community with less return than he has, pretty amazing guy. Not many people would invest that kind of time and effort to build a community, I'm really proud to call him a friend.
WIILSHOOT has always been important to me. It was my first website I found when searching to find info on shooting sports, it's where I found the IDPA club I started with, and the USPSA club I still enjoy shooting with. A couple of week ago, I touched on what putting the jersey on for the first time meant to me in a blog. Yesterday, when I saw that WIILSHOOT was shuttering it felt like a kick in the nuts. I can't say it totally surprised me, or took me by surprise, however seeing it, I was definitely in denial. As good as it felt for the first time to put on the jersey, it felt like "almost, but not quite", last night. I wanted to be able to give back in the same way as people had done for me. I'm not angry, I understand the reasons for it. Everything, I felt, that is good about shooting, the community, even about myself, my own growth, felt less. I know that's a thought that's unworthy of me, it smacks of selfishness, and I know that was wrong. It was perhaps the sharpest prod though, of how much it meant to me. While I knew it was important, it was only then I realized how much good it seemed to encompass in my mind. Ultimately, WIILSHOOT brought out the best in people. Whether the web site is there or not, that's a lesson I'll take with me, and it'll be a better lasting tribute to something that mattered to me than anything I can think of.
I'm still dealing with the work stress, and a possible move, and last night at the match, I admit that the thought I might be shooting my last MISS match crossed my mind a few times. I shot awful, but I took each stage for what it was, did not carry any bad stage with me, I obviously had a lot on my mind. A few friends commented that I seemed very quiet and distant, and I think that was a fair assessment.
I don't think I'll pull the WIILSHOOT jersey out of the closet, and put it on again, at least not for awhile. I'll keep the memory of the one night I did wear it, and how good it felt to be a part of something as my memory. For that one night, I got to be a part of something that made me proud. Part of the team for one night, but a part of a community forever.There are a lot of great pictures that Les has up on his last blog, amazing people, amazing friends. none of it would have been possible without WIILSHOOT. Even if the site coming down, the community, the family will live on. Personally I wish I could have done and contributed more, because the friends I made are ones that will last a lifetime. I feel guilty that I got more out than I could ever put back in.
Bravo Les, not that Bob Marley is exactly my idea of a great philosopher, but something he said comes to mind when I think of how much WILLSHOOT meant, to so many people.
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity, and the ability to affect those around him positively"
-Bob Marley
Consider my life impacted in so many ways for the positive ever since I found WIILSHOOT, and was introduced to the community. A website means that much? I don't know, but I know the community behind it sure does, the architect who was responsible did a pretty fantastic job.
I may not have been able to enjoy it for as long as others, but the year and half plus I got to know, and become a part of the community impacted me more than any simple words can describe. Thank you Les for building it, and thank you everyone for your own contributions. You've all been a part of something truly special.
Cheers
Les made the announcement yesterday in a post that WIILSHOOT was closing its doors after an amazing 4 year run. Four years is a heck of a long time to run a blog, and build a community, and that's exactly what Les did. People who wanted to shoot in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin had a place to go, and find out what clubs were active, when they shot, and read some entertaining articles, and be kept abreast of news that impacted both 2nd amendment, and shooting sports.
When I go to a local match, it's almost bizarre if I don't see someone there wearing a WILLSHOOT t-shirt, or was not in some manner impacted by the site. We are talking about hundreds of people being touched, accessing the site, knowing people, or being a part of the community that WILLSHOOT helped grow. With many people using Facebook, and other mediums, and with the burden of keeping the site going for so long, I suspect Les made the decision to finally shutter his baby. I can't offer enough compliments for someone who built a real community, and gave organization and direction. There was not a paycheck in it, it was really a labor of love. Near the end, we had talked about my doing some work to help carry on what WIILSHOOT had become, and doing some writing for the website. I was never sure if my efforts were not what Les was looking for, or if he was having a hard time handing over some responsibility and giving me the keys to help. I never pressured, and the fact he was even considering it, well, he's a better man than me, because if I had built something I don't think I could have done the same. The bottom line is that the time was right, the community is built and moving, and Les deserves some time to pursue other things. Nobody has given more to a shooting community with less return than he has, pretty amazing guy. Not many people would invest that kind of time and effort to build a community, I'm really proud to call him a friend.
WIILSHOOT has always been important to me. It was my first website I found when searching to find info on shooting sports, it's where I found the IDPA club I started with, and the USPSA club I still enjoy shooting with. A couple of week ago, I touched on what putting the jersey on for the first time meant to me in a blog. Yesterday, when I saw that WIILSHOOT was shuttering it felt like a kick in the nuts. I can't say it totally surprised me, or took me by surprise, however seeing it, I was definitely in denial. As good as it felt for the first time to put on the jersey, it felt like "almost, but not quite", last night. I wanted to be able to give back in the same way as people had done for me. I'm not angry, I understand the reasons for it. Everything, I felt, that is good about shooting, the community, even about myself, my own growth, felt less. I know that's a thought that's unworthy of me, it smacks of selfishness, and I know that was wrong. It was perhaps the sharpest prod though, of how much it meant to me. While I knew it was important, it was only then I realized how much good it seemed to encompass in my mind. Ultimately, WIILSHOOT brought out the best in people. Whether the web site is there or not, that's a lesson I'll take with me, and it'll be a better lasting tribute to something that mattered to me than anything I can think of.
I'm still dealing with the work stress, and a possible move, and last night at the match, I admit that the thought I might be shooting my last MISS match crossed my mind a few times. I shot awful, but I took each stage for what it was, did not carry any bad stage with me, I obviously had a lot on my mind. A few friends commented that I seemed very quiet and distant, and I think that was a fair assessment.
I don't think I'll pull the WIILSHOOT jersey out of the closet, and put it on again, at least not for awhile. I'll keep the memory of the one night I did wear it, and how good it felt to be a part of something as my memory. For that one night, I got to be a part of something that made me proud. Part of the team for one night, but a part of a community forever.There are a lot of great pictures that Les has up on his last blog, amazing people, amazing friends. none of it would have been possible without WIILSHOOT. Even if the site coming down, the community, the family will live on. Personally I wish I could have done and contributed more, because the friends I made are ones that will last a lifetime. I feel guilty that I got more out than I could ever put back in.
Bravo Les, not that Bob Marley is exactly my idea of a great philosopher, but something he said comes to mind when I think of how much WILLSHOOT meant, to so many people.
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity, and the ability to affect those around him positively"
-Bob Marley
Consider my life impacted in so many ways for the positive ever since I found WIILSHOOT, and was introduced to the community. A website means that much? I don't know, but I know the community behind it sure does, the architect who was responsible did a pretty fantastic job.
 |
| My One and Only Night as Part of the Team |
Cheers
Monday, May 19, 2014
Getting Back In Gear
Getting Back In Gear
I have not been myself lately, especially shooting. For the past month or more work has been ridiculously stressful. I'm not a 9-5 worker, my phone starts ringing around 4:30 or 5 in the morning, and it can keep ringing until 8 or so at night. I had a customer tell me the reason he uses my company is because of me, he knows that if he has a problem, I make it go away. I care.
Sometimes when you really care, and you get the sense co-workers don't, or when you can't get any kind of help to solve customer issues it gets rough. In my line of work, I'm the face of the company, I'm usually the only one a customer will ever see or deal with, if something goes wrong, it's on me, even if I'm not remotely responsible. Unfair? Sure, but that's the name of the game. Add that to some VP's calling me, my managing a big project that I had 3 days to handle, which normally would be a multi-month project. Add in the upcoming interview, and potential move away from where I've lived my entire life, I've had a lot going on. I've drifted, and the stress had me physically sick, I was throwing up blood.
Family is the most important thing to me, so when the stress hit, I retreated to spending time with Linda and Lauren, and just trying to relax. What got lost was some "me" time, doing things that I love. No, I'm not saying I don't love spending time with Linda and Lauren, I do, but there is a little bit of loss of identity, and when I walk away from something I love doing, I am aware that something is missing. I could have caught shit from Kozy and Les, and rightly so, because I saw myself having some bad habits, getting worse, and not performing at my peak. It made me back away a little more, just because I did not want to disappoint them, or waste their time.
Work is still work, but I'm learning to leave the stress behind, and just function the best I can, it's all I can do. It may be hard to detach myself a little bit, but the bottom line is that it makes me a happier person. Getting ready for the Ohio Sectional and then Area 5 is a big deal. There is a lot to do, load ammo, clean guns, magazines, and practice. Tonight I went up to practice with Kozy, and it was all there again. I had FUN. With all the stress, my practice, even a match almost felt like a chore, but tonight, I was me again. I relaxed, I kicked back, and had fun, and I just shot.
Oh, and did I shoot. We set up Wednesday's classifier, and were going to run it 3 times. The classifier is CM 09-02 Diamond Cutter. My first run was okay, but my second run was a 3.31 second run, with 36 points, 6 Alpha and 2 Charlie. That's a 10.88 Hit Factor run, or, an above 100% run! I got a hundo! Okay, why is this a big deal? Even in practice, I have never run a classifier above 76% of a perfect score, and in a match, I have never run a 75% (A Class) run. Here I am, a little rusty, not on the top of my game, and I ran the best classifier I've ever run. On my 3rd run, I clipped a no-shoot, but did it again in 3.31. My time is there, my hits? Well, I know I can do it. Someone might say it's more luck than skill, and I'd be hard pressed to argue. I'm a "B" shooter right now, maybe not even because I need to brush the rest of my rust off, and I'm not a GM shooter at all. However, turn and draw, no reload, no movement? It's set-up to be run exceptionally well.
Here's the point, it's in me, somewhere. There is a better shooter, one that I'll find consistently as I work at it. I will never, ever find it though if I always treat this as a job, or don't take joy from it. I really believe that tonight I found something I did not know I had in me simply because I had fun, I went out and shot, no stress, no worries, no pressure.
I'm proud that I did it, I'm glad I found it, and even happier that I found the fun that I'd been missing, I needed tonight, it makes me a happier person. I suspect that carries over to work, friends, everything, and I like it, I'm not going to let work suck that out of me anymore.
I have not been myself lately, especially shooting. For the past month or more work has been ridiculously stressful. I'm not a 9-5 worker, my phone starts ringing around 4:30 or 5 in the morning, and it can keep ringing until 8 or so at night. I had a customer tell me the reason he uses my company is because of me, he knows that if he has a problem, I make it go away. I care.
Sometimes when you really care, and you get the sense co-workers don't, or when you can't get any kind of help to solve customer issues it gets rough. In my line of work, I'm the face of the company, I'm usually the only one a customer will ever see or deal with, if something goes wrong, it's on me, even if I'm not remotely responsible. Unfair? Sure, but that's the name of the game. Add that to some VP's calling me, my managing a big project that I had 3 days to handle, which normally would be a multi-month project. Add in the upcoming interview, and potential move away from where I've lived my entire life, I've had a lot going on. I've drifted, and the stress had me physically sick, I was throwing up blood.
Family is the most important thing to me, so when the stress hit, I retreated to spending time with Linda and Lauren, and just trying to relax. What got lost was some "me" time, doing things that I love. No, I'm not saying I don't love spending time with Linda and Lauren, I do, but there is a little bit of loss of identity, and when I walk away from something I love doing, I am aware that something is missing. I could have caught shit from Kozy and Les, and rightly so, because I saw myself having some bad habits, getting worse, and not performing at my peak. It made me back away a little more, just because I did not want to disappoint them, or waste their time.
Work is still work, but I'm learning to leave the stress behind, and just function the best I can, it's all I can do. It may be hard to detach myself a little bit, but the bottom line is that it makes me a happier person. Getting ready for the Ohio Sectional and then Area 5 is a big deal. There is a lot to do, load ammo, clean guns, magazines, and practice. Tonight I went up to practice with Kozy, and it was all there again. I had FUN. With all the stress, my practice, even a match almost felt like a chore, but tonight, I was me again. I relaxed, I kicked back, and had fun, and I just shot.
Oh, and did I shoot. We set up Wednesday's classifier, and were going to run it 3 times. The classifier is CM 09-02 Diamond Cutter. My first run was okay, but my second run was a 3.31 second run, with 36 points, 6 Alpha and 2 Charlie. That's a 10.88 Hit Factor run, or, an above 100% run! I got a hundo! Okay, why is this a big deal? Even in practice, I have never run a classifier above 76% of a perfect score, and in a match, I have never run a 75% (A Class) run. Here I am, a little rusty, not on the top of my game, and I ran the best classifier I've ever run. On my 3rd run, I clipped a no-shoot, but did it again in 3.31. My time is there, my hits? Well, I know I can do it. Someone might say it's more luck than skill, and I'd be hard pressed to argue. I'm a "B" shooter right now, maybe not even because I need to brush the rest of my rust off, and I'm not a GM shooter at all. However, turn and draw, no reload, no movement? It's set-up to be run exceptionally well.
Here's the point, it's in me, somewhere. There is a better shooter, one that I'll find consistently as I work at it. I will never, ever find it though if I always treat this as a job, or don't take joy from it. I really believe that tonight I found something I did not know I had in me simply because I had fun, I went out and shot, no stress, no worries, no pressure.
I'm proud that I did it, I'm glad I found it, and even happier that I found the fun that I'd been missing, I needed tonight, it makes me a happier person. I suspect that carries over to work, friends, everything, and I like it, I'm not going to let work suck that out of me anymore.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Linda Earns Her C Card
Linda Earns Her C Card
Congrats!
She worked a lot harder this year, getting on some dry fire, and really starting to practice. She earned her "C" card on her 11th classifier. I know she thinks she "squeaked" in, but she really has shown amazing improvement over the past 5 months. I sound like a broken record, but the general consensus is that she'll be a far better shooter than I am, with a higher ceiling as long as she works at it. She's quick, she picks up lessons very fast. The only question now is the time commitment, and how badly she wants it.
One month after I earned my B, she get's her C, and in a lot less time....I do hear the footsteps behind me!
I'm pretty proud of her!
That little video shows the great "double thumbs up" reaction and support she gets from Kozy and Les when she finished a classifier run strong, and it also shows the reaction I get when I melt down. Interesting contrast I think!
Congrats!
She worked a lot harder this year, getting on some dry fire, and really starting to practice. She earned her "C" card on her 11th classifier. I know she thinks she "squeaked" in, but she really has shown amazing improvement over the past 5 months. I sound like a broken record, but the general consensus is that she'll be a far better shooter than I am, with a higher ceiling as long as she works at it. She's quick, she picks up lessons very fast. The only question now is the time commitment, and how badly she wants it.
One month after I earned my B, she get's her C, and in a lot less time....I do hear the footsteps behind me!
I'm pretty proud of her!
That little video shows the great "double thumbs up" reaction and support she gets from Kozy and Les when she finished a classifier run strong, and it also shows the reaction I get when I melt down. Interesting contrast I think!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
MISS 5/7/14
MISS 5/7/14
I had a really rough weekend, with minimal practice for a couple of weeks. My mind has been on work which has been high pressure of late, with a lot of people up top suddenly paying attention to me. I've also been exploring a job switch that would require our family to move to Texas, but that's a whole 'nother story. I needed Wednesday night to get back on my game, and just go have fun. On Sunday I about went postal on someone, and I was at a low point where shooting was not fun.
For this match I got to put on the team colors for the first time, and wear my WIILSHOOT jersey. I know it's just a shirt, but it means more than that to me. It's being a part of something bigger than just yourself, it's part of what makes me a better person at the range, because suddenly I care about the impression I give off to people, because it reflects on the team. I spent a good part of the night helping new shooters, encouraging them, making suggestions, making them feel as welcome as people made me feel when I started. The jersey means something, and it was even a little more bittersweet knowing that I was putting on the jersey for the first time, and there is possibility I'll be pulled off to Texas in the near future. Just when I'm a part of something bigger, and really being a better person, not just a better shooter.....
Match started out not so hot. I ran the first stage in a reasonably fast time, but I took two extra shots that I did not need to take. When I'm on my game, I'm confident enough to "call my shot" at least enough to not get in trouble. Here, my make-up shots were completely not needed, and probably added at least .5 seconds to my time. I finished this stage 3rd in Production, but I have better in me.
Stage 2 I had a Mike, and inexplicably I reloaded to take 2 extra shots, which added 7.2 seconds to my time. I finished 7th in Production, but if I had not done the reload for those make-up shots, I'd have been sitting 3rd in Production again.
Stage 3 I ran solidly, time was good, I had a good plan, and I executed it pretty darn well, no complaints.
The last stage was the classifier, and on Sunday I ran it "Full Retard", which was a mistake, especially without the practice. I wanted redemption, and came pretty close to getting it. I needed a 7.85 second run to have another 75% run, and I ran it in 7.99 seconds, for just over a 70% run. I also took 3 make-up shots at 6 steel. Had I focused, and kept my stuff together, I'd have been there easily. Shooting is a perishable skill, practice it or lose it, especially where I'm at, I need the repetitions to keep my skill, not just improve.
Overall I finished 3rd of 12 Production shooters, and 9th of 28, but it really should have been better. It felt good after the disaster on the weekend, but it's good to be critical, and slowly get back to work, and start preparing for the Ohio Sectional in late May, and Area 5 in mid-June, which I suspect might be the last 2 major's for me until the fall, especially if a move is in store.
Having the classifier thrown out on the weekend, and then being able to shoot it again on Wednesday had Linda back out there, and she had a couple of gun issues, but rolled thru about a 47% classifier run, which should earn her the C card she has been working towards. She has a ways to go on her cadence, and adding speed, but she is so effortless, she draws quickly, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind she's going to be a better shooter than I am, sooner rather than later.
I had a really rough weekend, with minimal practice for a couple of weeks. My mind has been on work which has been high pressure of late, with a lot of people up top suddenly paying attention to me. I've also been exploring a job switch that would require our family to move to Texas, but that's a whole 'nother story. I needed Wednesday night to get back on my game, and just go have fun. On Sunday I about went postal on someone, and I was at a low point where shooting was not fun.
 |
| Kozy, Myself, Les, Kerry Dean |
For this match I got to put on the team colors for the first time, and wear my WIILSHOOT jersey. I know it's just a shirt, but it means more than that to me. It's being a part of something bigger than just yourself, it's part of what makes me a better person at the range, because suddenly I care about the impression I give off to people, because it reflects on the team. I spent a good part of the night helping new shooters, encouraging them, making suggestions, making them feel as welcome as people made me feel when I started. The jersey means something, and it was even a little more bittersweet knowing that I was putting on the jersey for the first time, and there is possibility I'll be pulled off to Texas in the near future. Just when I'm a part of something bigger, and really being a better person, not just a better shooter.....
Match started out not so hot. I ran the first stage in a reasonably fast time, but I took two extra shots that I did not need to take. When I'm on my game, I'm confident enough to "call my shot" at least enough to not get in trouble. Here, my make-up shots were completely not needed, and probably added at least .5 seconds to my time. I finished this stage 3rd in Production, but I have better in me.
Stage 2 I had a Mike, and inexplicably I reloaded to take 2 extra shots, which added 7.2 seconds to my time. I finished 7th in Production, but if I had not done the reload for those make-up shots, I'd have been sitting 3rd in Production again.
Stage 3 I ran solidly, time was good, I had a good plan, and I executed it pretty darn well, no complaints.
The last stage was the classifier, and on Sunday I ran it "Full Retard", which was a mistake, especially without the practice. I wanted redemption, and came pretty close to getting it. I needed a 7.85 second run to have another 75% run, and I ran it in 7.99 seconds, for just over a 70% run. I also took 3 make-up shots at 6 steel. Had I focused, and kept my stuff together, I'd have been there easily. Shooting is a perishable skill, practice it or lose it, especially where I'm at, I need the repetitions to keep my skill, not just improve.
 |
| Team mates, Friends |
Having the classifier thrown out on the weekend, and then being able to shoot it again on Wednesday had Linda back out there, and she had a couple of gun issues, but rolled thru about a 47% classifier run, which should earn her the C card she has been working towards. She has a ways to go on her cadence, and adding speed, but she is so effortless, she draws quickly, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind she's going to be a better shooter than I am, sooner rather than later.
Some Match Video
Some Match Video
I had a rough match, some magazine issues, some ammo issues, this was day 2 of the Matt Mink class, the class itself deserves a through review which I'll do soon. I picked up a few very solid things to help my game, but the stress of work, and lack of hard practice really shows. I need to get back on my game. You'll see on the last stage I blew a classifier trying to shoot "full retard", my frustration got the better of me. Practice or lack thereof shows.
Linda shoots the same match, and she had some issues as well, but it looked like a solid classifier run, although it was thrown out for not being set-up as per the classifier.
He's Matt Mink, 5 division USPSA Grand Master shooter, gunsmith, and all around baller guy. He'd spent all year shooting single stack to get ready for Single Stack Nationals, and the day before this match was the first day this season he shot production. By afternoon he was on fire, it took him less than 2 days to make a transition that would take most people months.
Matt actually finished 3rd at the match behind Kozy and Les. It goes to show what a competitive club we have, but by end of the day on Sunday, when he was closer to on his game, I suspect the results would have been far different.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
MISS 4/16/14
MISS 4/16/14
After a disappointing weekend, and a hard practice Monday, I did not waste an ounce of time jumping back onto a match. I was a little worn out, but after finding Monday that I was pushing the gun and as a result shooting low, I was anxious to get out, do things right, and get myself moving back in the right direction, especially since I just got my B card on Tuesday.
MATCH SCORES
Stage 1: Whiz Bang (West 1)
The stage got tossed out because the 2nd squad had issues where a a piece of steel would fall and inadvertently cause a clam shell to activate. Our squad had no issue with that, but it made sense. This was my first stage, and honestly my worst stage of the night. I took a mike on the clam shell. This was a 90 point stage potential, and I had 79 points, 10 penalty points for the miss, so I was accurate enough otherwise. I ran it in 17.68 seconds, and my hit factor put me in 8th place for Production, out of 16 Production Shooters for the night. There was a late re-load after the first array, and a few other things, but more than anything, I wanted hits tonight.
Stage 2: Looks Familiar (East 1)
Statistically this was my best stage of the night. 160 possible points and I shot 152 of them in 20.32 seconds. This was good enough for 2nd place in Production, but 6 seconds behind Les. I want to see some video of him running this. I know my cadence slowed down the further along the stage I went, so I need to make sure I can keep a quicker cadence, but I was thrilled to run this with 28 Alpha hits and only 4 Charlie. My time can be quicker to be sure, but the hits made me feel good. Again, work on moving reloads, and hey, for once I shot on the move...kind of...but still better than static positional shooting.
Stage 3: On The Periphery (East 2)
One word, slow. This was another 160 possible point stage, and I shot 146 points, so 25 Alpha and 7 Charlie. Points are good, but after the first array I really slowed down, and then moving into the final position I missed a reload, which is not good. The only good part is that I did not let it phase me, I got the mag inserted, and I finished with good hits. Don't let something derail you, keep rolling! Success! Still a lot of things I can do better, and keeping the cadence up is one of 'em.
Stage 4: CM 99-62 Bang and Clang
No Video.....
It's a shame, because I think this was my best stage. I was 4th in Production, and 5th overall, I ran the 4 steel, and single paper in 3.23 seconds (4th fastest time of anyone) my only point deduction was one Alpha, and one Charlie, and the Charlie was close. Running the hit factor into Classifier Calc, it's right about 75%, so one day after earning my B card, I may have just run my first A classifier. How 'bout them apples?
Summary
There was a little redemption here for me. Combined overall I finished 10th of 28 shooters, and that will actually go up a little when official results are submitted and the first stage (my worst) get's eliminated. I was 7th in Production, about 85.8% of the points that Les had (he won Production) and he had one stage he was just screwing around on, and that much distance between him and everyone else. I won't say it's disheartening, it's actually a little inspiring. The guy is a Grand Master for a reason, and I learn as much watching him shoot as I did in class.
It felt good to get accurate, and roll for a bit, I can get back on my cadence and push my time again going forward, as I'm obviously seeing my sights again. I need to keep grinding my draw, and moving reloads, but starting to shoot on the move is a good thing. I need to feel comfortable and practice. Here I did it, but I did not do it "right". I got away with it.
All in all, good match!
After a disappointing weekend, and a hard practice Monday, I did not waste an ounce of time jumping back onto a match. I was a little worn out, but after finding Monday that I was pushing the gun and as a result shooting low, I was anxious to get out, do things right, and get myself moving back in the right direction, especially since I just got my B card on Tuesday.
MATCH SCORES
Stage 1: Whiz Bang (West 1)
The stage got tossed out because the 2nd squad had issues where a a piece of steel would fall and inadvertently cause a clam shell to activate. Our squad had no issue with that, but it made sense. This was my first stage, and honestly my worst stage of the night. I took a mike on the clam shell. This was a 90 point stage potential, and I had 79 points, 10 penalty points for the miss, so I was accurate enough otherwise. I ran it in 17.68 seconds, and my hit factor put me in 8th place for Production, out of 16 Production Shooters for the night. There was a late re-load after the first array, and a few other things, but more than anything, I wanted hits tonight.
Stage 2: Looks Familiar (East 1)
Statistically this was my best stage of the night. 160 possible points and I shot 152 of them in 20.32 seconds. This was good enough for 2nd place in Production, but 6 seconds behind Les. I want to see some video of him running this. I know my cadence slowed down the further along the stage I went, so I need to make sure I can keep a quicker cadence, but I was thrilled to run this with 28 Alpha hits and only 4 Charlie. My time can be quicker to be sure, but the hits made me feel good. Again, work on moving reloads, and hey, for once I shot on the move...kind of...but still better than static positional shooting.
Stage 3: On The Periphery (East 2)
One word, slow. This was another 160 possible point stage, and I shot 146 points, so 25 Alpha and 7 Charlie. Points are good, but after the first array I really slowed down, and then moving into the final position I missed a reload, which is not good. The only good part is that I did not let it phase me, I got the mag inserted, and I finished with good hits. Don't let something derail you, keep rolling! Success! Still a lot of things I can do better, and keeping the cadence up is one of 'em.
Stage 4: CM 99-62 Bang and Clang
No Video.....
It's a shame, because I think this was my best stage. I was 4th in Production, and 5th overall, I ran the 4 steel, and single paper in 3.23 seconds (4th fastest time of anyone) my only point deduction was one Alpha, and one Charlie, and the Charlie was close. Running the hit factor into Classifier Calc, it's right about 75%, so one day after earning my B card, I may have just run my first A classifier. How 'bout them apples?
Summary
There was a little redemption here for me. Combined overall I finished 10th of 28 shooters, and that will actually go up a little when official results are submitted and the first stage (my worst) get's eliminated. I was 7th in Production, about 85.8% of the points that Les had (he won Production) and he had one stage he was just screwing around on, and that much distance between him and everyone else. I won't say it's disheartening, it's actually a little inspiring. The guy is a Grand Master for a reason, and I learn as much watching him shoot as I did in class.
It felt good to get accurate, and roll for a bit, I can get back on my cadence and push my time again going forward, as I'm obviously seeing my sights again. I need to keep grinding my draw, and moving reloads, but starting to shoot on the move is a good thing. I need to feel comfortable and practice. Here I did it, but I did not do it "right". I got away with it.
All in all, good match!
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