Day Five: Setup and Sighted In.

The first time I draw your my during a practice I'm always struck by how out of control it feels. Almost as if the bow is shooting you instead of you shooting the bow. This, from my experience, is almost always true for the first few shots. It seems that it takes awhile for your brain to readjust and finally take control. It can still be daunting, however, to know that even after thousands and thousands of hours of practice you still are no where close to mastering even a part of this sport. Its complexities and beauty will never cease to surprise you.
This particular morning I was having a lot of trouble with my release and follow through... for some reason it felt really rough and forced, def not the fluid and smooth action it should be. I have a feeling that I wasn't setting up my shots right, not allowing my back to move as it should, and that this was throwing a wrench into my release. The rest of my body felt pretty good, both front shoulders stayed down and in place, while my draw was a tad shaky.
I really need to get some new arrows though, the ones I have right now are getting a tad banged up from so much use. A new batch is def going to have to be a top priority.
I would write to more tonight but I'm really exhausted and I think sleep would better serve me right now.
As an afterthought, I'm really really excited to watch the Olympic swimming trials tomorrow. This is probably the best team we have ever fielded and I can guarantee that quite a few records are going to fall. Night everyone!

Day One- Fatigue and Frustration

I hate getting up early. You know how in all those Olympic sports movies like Cutting Edge and Miracle it always seems like they enjoy getting early to train? Complete Bull! Unless your a morning person it really sucks. I rolled out of bed at about five thirty and would have given just about anything for more sleep. A shower and some breakfast did nothing to improve things. Contrary to popular belief athletes DONT love to practice ...its boring, its long, and its pain in the butt. I had to literally drag myself upstairs to set up bow and then out to the backyard to my target stand. I start this early because out here in the desert it becomes hell after about ten AM. And by noon the temp will top out at 115. In that heat the bow becomes almost too hot to touch.
Usually ill start out with some light stretching and light cardio. Once the blood is moving I start working through my form and routine with a large elastic band. I work through my shot as if I have a bow in my hands. Mostly this is to cement muscle memory and improve mental focus but it really can help to build up strength.
The actually shooting is a repetition of the form that is perfected in the band work. Every practice has a goal and purpose... I decide what im going to work on ahead of time and build the session around that area. On this particular day I decided to work on keeping my back shoulder down in socket. Sometimes it starts rising up on me which really prevents a good clean shot. Its a work in progress... It was a little better by the end.
As for my fitness... summer has kinda done a real number on me so far. I kinda took the first month of summer to rest and recuperate... yeah, not a good idea. haha I feel amazingly weak. Its pathetic. Well time to shoot myself back into shape. Ill talk to you all tomorrow! Have a great day!