I entered my first competition

[renay]

I finally did it! I entered a Tri County shoot at Redlands Shooting Park on August 2nd. I shot as a guest to see if I would want to join. I signed up for only one event and that was the trap singles. I was disappointed in myself as I know I could have done better. I shot 79/100. I expected to do 80 or 85 and there is no excuse but I had a couple of bad mounts and had one post where I dropped 3 birds in a row. Lost my concentration on the second round which was my lowest round at 18/25 due to irritation at a seasoned shooter. This guy stopped the round to change out his gun twice due to malfunction. Never seen anything like it. LOL. Last two rounds were respectable at 22/25 and 20/25. Just need to work on keeping the gray matter in the game and without distraction. I had a great time and I am going back at the end of this month and will surpass 80. I set a goal to win one of those necklaces for the women (money clip is more practical for me).

[grantar2]

As long as you had fun.

[movie zombie]

congrats!

[BonnieB]

Well done Renay! It was your first competition, don't beat yourself up.

It must be going around! I'm doing my first competitive handgun league this fall and I am so wound up! Gotta relax when the time comes...

[renay]

Good job Bonnie. Keep us posted on how you do.

[Steyrlp10]

Nice job, ladies Try not to put too much pressure on yourselves. It's supposed to be fun and not become work

[BonnieB]

Non-competitive competitive shooting...

Yah, true. I'm retired and don't want to do 'work'. But I do think that pressuring myself might be a good drill for performance in a real life threat situation. Until I'm brave enough and in shape enough for IDPA/SDPA, it'll have to do.

I've always avoided competition type sports, because I'm not particularly competitive: I don't care what the other guy's score is. That has no bearing on MY score. I don't need to win the league (but I'd like to, just to be difficult...)

RSOs at the range are telling me I'm shooting at the 90th percentile. Which I don't exactly believe. It's flattering, but I think it might be flattery. So I'm going to test it out, with objectively scored shooting, over various distances and over time. Good days and bad days both. I'm not terribly consistent, so we'll see.

This league is handguns, ten teams of four people each. I'm trying to put together an all women team, hoping to sign up three others, who might be dead-eyes or beginners. So the idea of 'winning' is real iffy. I don't care, I just wanna go shoot. If the women's team doesn't come together, I'll just join another mixed team that needs a fourth... This league is at Sacramento Gun Club, Sept-Nov.

It's also an experiment to find out if women will be interested in shooting alone with other women, and how many only will shoot with SO's, handsome hubbies, etc. I'm toying with putting together a 'club' with no program, just a regular time to meet up and shoot together. God knows we need the mutual support.

Regardless of score, the social aspects of a league are appealing. I'll get to meet other shooters, admire pretty guns and maybe make a friend or two. Which is never a bad thing.

[Pally]

Congrats renay! Redlands Shooting Park is a great place to shoot, the folks are friendly, too! I'd like to get back there as soon as it cools off.

[renay]

I'm with Bonnie. I'd like to shoot in a league to get better and meet a regular shooting friend or two. I put a bit of pressure on myself to get better which is why I shoot with the better shooters every chance I get. I'm starting to run into a brick wall where my softball days may be numbered so I need something else to do so shooting may be taking the place of softball. I WANT to start winning belt buckles and trophies which is why I shoot as much as I can. I use to shoot every weekend until so ******* stole my Jeep and now I have a car payment which blew my budget. That's the only pressure I am up against now. My reduced shooting time on weekends.

I started shoot a bit of 5 stand to help with trap (due for a round soon) when I start getting lazy. It's different and at P2K some of those clays come out wacky anyway you swear your shooting sporting clays.

[movie zombie]

sorry about your Jeep, renay.

[renay]

Seems to be the trend here in SD. I got another one.

[BonnieB]

Good news! The women's team I started up at Sacramento Gun Club for the Fall League has filled up! It's a go.

I've never shot competitively, so I'm ready to rock. But OMG, scored handguns at 25 yards? Blank targets? Challenge!

[renay]

Congrats Bonnie!! Man Bonnie makes me wish I lived in Sac Town and shot hand gun. I'm toying with with IDPA but I'd have to get a Glock 17 or 19. I only own shotguns right now. You'll do okay. Get some extra practice in. Practice with people who are better than you are and you will learn a lot. I watch a lot of trap competition videos on top of shooting. Helps with the shooting. The guy I get advice from is a great shooter and also advocates watching youtube vids.

[movie zombie]

i'm with you re the OMG re handguns at 25 yards, Bonnie!
congrats and good luck to you and your team!

[savannah]

I started shooting a few shotgun sorting clay competitions and had a really good time. I have been working with a coach for about a year and he encouraged me to give competition a try. You will have fun and make some great friends with a like mind.

Enjoy.