Let me back up. On Sunday my informal coach helped me tune the riser a bit
So I am ready for more practices like that one. Here's looking forward to my next day off and at the range with my new riser.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
New Equipment...again
I randomly bought a Kaya riser on eBay. It's a K3 and she shoots so smoothly. She makes shots with my yellow infinitec (brand?) riser feel all clumsy and heavy. There's something about the Kaya riser, since it's all carbon, that makes it shoot very quietly with more of a dead feeling in your hand. The arrows seem to fly rather than act like a shotput throw. Honestly it's probably all in my technique and the "magical" feeling of new equipment but I had one of my best practices ever yesterday.
Let me back up. On Sunday my informal coach helped me tune the riser a bitand he moved everything that he had already tuned on my old riser. The only thing missing from the riser is the clicker. Shooting without it is a lot more fun. My coach says the clicker is really a mental thing and that I am drawing back as far as I need to without it. I'll take that with the clicker! But this wasn't the best practice though. I'm still missing a few of my arrows argh.
So I am ready for more practices like that one. Here's looking forward to my next day off and at the range with my new riser.
Let me back up. On Sunday my informal coach helped me tune the riser a bit
So I am ready for more practices like that one. Here's looking forward to my next day off and at the range with my new riser.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
The Clicker Struggles
Granted, I have only had the clicker on my bow for a few weeks and have not been able to practice every week, but every time I get out the bow to practice, I remember-dang this is hard.
I'm gauging the safest place downstairs in my basement to shoot. Then I need to build a target that I can stand at and shoot all winter. Because I won't get better until I shoot every day. It's a fine balance that needs to be controlled by strength and I simply don't have either yet.
I workout twice a week with my personal trainer and once on my own. I am not sure if it's really the right strength training program for my sport but maybe it's too early to tell? I want to add pilates to the mix to build core strength and maintain lean muscle. I think my PT thinks I know more than I actually do, since I told her I am taking an online course to become a CPT. Nothing like heading to the range to practice after a back workout with aching chest muscles from a previous workout. I am so much hungrier than before. And it's fall and I want all the fall desserts-boo. I have to get a grip on my diet to build muscle and strength. It's very easy to simply build frustration but I tell myself take my time, be patient and it's okay to get a hooked nose from repeated string pressure during my anchor point ;)
I'm gauging the safest place downstairs in my basement to shoot. Then I need to build a target that I can stand at and shoot all winter. Because I won't get better until I shoot every day. It's a fine balance that needs to be controlled by strength and I simply don't have either yet.
I workout twice a week with my personal trainer and once on my own. I am not sure if it's really the right strength training program for my sport but maybe it's too early to tell? I want to add pilates to the mix to build core strength and maintain lean muscle. I think my PT thinks I know more than I actually do, since I told her I am taking an online course to become a CPT. Nothing like heading to the range to practice after a back workout with aching chest muscles from a previous workout. I am so much hungrier than before. And it's fall and I want all the fall desserts-boo. I have to get a grip on my diet to build muscle and strength. It's very easy to simply build frustration but I tell myself take my time, be patient and it's okay to get a hooked nose from repeated string pressure during my anchor point ;)
Friday, September 25, 2015
Clicker Practice
I managed to get out on my own 3 times to practice at my local range. I am trying to remember and pull together all the technical aspects I learned at my last lesson with my coach. There's a lot to remember.
1.) My stance-open with 75% of my weight on my back foot and my weight more forward on the balls of my feet.
2.) My bow starting open and as I draw pulling more to a close.
3.) My grip-lightly holding the bow with my pointer finger and thumb with the rest of my hand relaxed. With my weight balanced right I should be able to "push" my thumb towards the target.
4.)My draw-extending the time for the last .25" of the arrow to pull through the clicker to about 3-4 seconds.
5.) keeping my arm steady and not rushing the shot.
6.) release and follow through.
It's a complete balancing act. And I mess up a lot.
The good news is that I can feel when I'm warmed up and my left shoulder suddenly moves the way I envision and my release is better and my shots are more consistent.
The bad news is that it's exhausting using the clicker and I constantly have to remember to conserve my energy.
I am working out now with a personal trainer twice a week with the goal of gaining long and lean muscle. And to gain strength. I am also doing yoga inversion classes every other week because that will also help me get strong. And I am going to pay for archery lessons from now on. They are pretty cheap to begin with. I've nixed buying a better bow right now considering that I'm just beginning and have a lot of debt to pay off. It will come when I am ready and am in a better financial position. And to add to that I started a full time job this month and am taking an online course to become a certified personal trainer.
All I need now is some decent sleep and I'd be in good shape! I e-mail pictures to my coach after every practice and he says I'm making good progress. Just have to outweigh my fatigue with my enthusiasm ;)
1.) My stance-open with 75% of my weight on my back foot and my weight more forward on the balls of my feet.
2.) My bow starting open and as I draw pulling more to a close.
3.) My grip-lightly holding the bow with my pointer finger and thumb with the rest of my hand relaxed. With my weight balanced right I should be able to "push" my thumb towards the target.
4.)My draw-extending the time for the last .25" of the arrow to pull through the clicker to about 3-4 seconds.
5.) keeping my arm steady and not rushing the shot.
6.) release and follow through.
It's a complete balancing act. And I mess up a lot.
The good news is that I can feel when I'm warmed up and my left shoulder suddenly moves the way I envision and my release is better and my shots are more consistent.
The bad news is that it's exhausting using the clicker and I constantly have to remember to conserve my energy.
I am working out now with a personal trainer twice a week with the goal of gaining long and lean muscle. And to gain strength. I am also doing yoga inversion classes every other week because that will also help me get strong. And I am going to pay for archery lessons from now on. They are pretty cheap to begin with. I've nixed buying a better bow right now considering that I'm just beginning and have a lot of debt to pay off. It will come when I am ready and am in a better financial position. And to add to that I started a full time job this month and am taking an online course to become a certified personal trainer.
All I need now is some decent sleep and I'd be in good shape! I e-mail pictures to my coach after every practice and he says I'm making good progress. Just have to outweigh my fatigue with my enthusiasm ;)
Monday, September 14, 2015
The Ol' Clicker
I've received a few hand me downs from Rod White via my coach for my bow. One of the them included a Beiter clicker. I mentioned before that I bought new arrows, coach fletched them and put them together for me and that they were my correct draw length. Since all that is done I can now learn how to shoot with a clicker.
A clicker is a piece of metal that the arrow slides against during the draw. If the archer is at full draw the clicker blade will be at the point of the arrow at almost full draw. Once that happens, the archer needs to pull back about .25" more over a period of 4 seconds and then the clicker blade will snap off the arrow point. At that point the archer can release the arrow. It sounds easy right? I thought so too.
Using a clicker is actually pretty damn difficult. It's meant to help with consistency and help the archer achieve full draw every time. But it's hard enough to be pulling the arrow back. Add your coach adjusting your stance and your grip and your bow arm is already shaking before you are at full draw. At least I am. This is where quantity over quality really helps.
Using the clicker I could only get 2 or 3 decent shots off my bow. The rest would go all over the place. And my coach, having just fletched them all, looked a bit peeved when he had to get out the metal detector and dig one under the dirt, bless him. I'm trying to build a shot sequence now. It starts with looking at the direction of the wind, grounding myself through my feet in an open stance, with 75% of my bodyweight on my back foot. Then I raise my bow and pull my string back with my arrow at the same time. While trying to keep the bow steady, I try to remember the light grip and touch my coach demonstrated for me. Then there's the ol' clicker, sliding along my arrow till I'm at almost full draw. With a definite 'click' it snaps of my arrow point and I release the nock and string. It's important to remember not to anchor at my nose and chin until I've reached that almost full draw point. Also, I am trying to work on lining up my string with inside right side of my riser. Loading another arrow is the last step in the shot sequence. It's a lot of minute detail that you can't really see with the naked eye. Lots of adjustments and lining up and straightening. Lots of strength behind the scenes. Frankly, I need to be stronger so I joined a gym and am working on building long lean muscle for strength. My main machine is the rowing machine for my back. I am also doing some yoga classes that focus on core work.
My shoulders had spazzed out by the end of the lesson. They screamed at me all day long and well into the night. But wait! There's homework!
I have clicker drills to do. I'm supposed to stand 5 feet away from a target and practice using that dang ol' clicker. I have to develop technique and muscle memory and not fight the clicker. Lord help me, this is going to hurt for a little bit.
Last big piece of news. Due to a recent bad experience, I asked the guy whom I refer to as 'my coach' to let me pay him for the 2 sessions we shoot together a month. I want to continue it into the winter as we shoot indoors.
A clicker is a piece of metal that the arrow slides against during the draw. If the archer is at full draw the clicker blade will be at the point of the arrow at almost full draw. Once that happens, the archer needs to pull back about .25" more over a period of 4 seconds and then the clicker blade will snap off the arrow point. At that point the archer can release the arrow. It sounds easy right? I thought so too.
Using a clicker is actually pretty damn difficult. It's meant to help with consistency and help the archer achieve full draw every time. But it's hard enough to be pulling the arrow back. Add your coach adjusting your stance and your grip and your bow arm is already shaking before you are at full draw. At least I am. This is where quantity over quality really helps.
Using the clicker I could only get 2 or 3 decent shots off my bow. The rest would go all over the place. And my coach, having just fletched them all, looked a bit peeved when he had to get out the metal detector and dig one under the dirt, bless him. I'm trying to build a shot sequence now. It starts with looking at the direction of the wind, grounding myself through my feet in an open stance, with 75% of my bodyweight on my back foot. Then I raise my bow and pull my string back with my arrow at the same time. While trying to keep the bow steady, I try to remember the light grip and touch my coach demonstrated for me. Then there's the ol' clicker, sliding along my arrow till I'm at almost full draw. With a definite 'click' it snaps of my arrow point and I release the nock and string. It's important to remember not to anchor at my nose and chin until I've reached that almost full draw point. Also, I am trying to work on lining up my string with inside right side of my riser. Loading another arrow is the last step in the shot sequence. It's a lot of minute detail that you can't really see with the naked eye. Lots of adjustments and lining up and straightening. Lots of strength behind the scenes. Frankly, I need to be stronger so I joined a gym and am working on building long lean muscle for strength. My main machine is the rowing machine for my back. I am also doing some yoga classes that focus on core work.
My shoulders had spazzed out by the end of the lesson. They screamed at me all day long and well into the night. But wait! There's homework!
I have clicker drills to do. I'm supposed to stand 5 feet away from a target and practice using that dang ol' clicker. I have to develop technique and muscle memory and not fight the clicker. Lord help me, this is going to hurt for a little bit.
Last big piece of news. Due to a recent bad experience, I asked the guy whom I refer to as 'my coach' to let me pay him for the 2 sessions we shoot together a month. I want to continue it into the winter as we shoot indoors.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
1 step forward and 2 backwards
Everything has come together for my first ILF rig. Today was the first day I shot it completely together (with all my own parts.) My arrows will come back to me with veins and knocks and pins and points in a couple days, hopefully.
I have noticed major progress:
Stabilizers make my shots much smoother. It's like the difference between shooting a handgun and a rifle. They do make the bow heavier but you can rest it on the long stabilizer before each shot which helps. If I move correctly and release the shot well it's as if I am shooting of a ledge and the arrow flies in a beautiful arc through the air. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing that followed by the thunk of the arrow in the target face. Only thing that could make it better would be hitting an X!
My new sight is a DREAM. It's built like a tank and doesn't move unless I crank the dials to turn it. Then it moves in tiny increments so it can adjust to the smallest change. Well worth the money and I can use it for 20 years.
My whole release has greatly improved. I still have to remind myself to use my shoulder but when I do, everything flows better. Hold straight, engage shoulder, pull to anchor point. My coach is helping me develop a checklist for each shot. It's a lot to remember!
Slippery new things to learn:
Since I shoot southpaw style I need to bring the string to my nose at the same time my anchor reaches my chin. Then I need to keep the blur of the string in my peripheral on the right side of my riser handle. And the aperture on the far right. So it goes riser+blurry string+sight aperture on my target=baddabaddabing a nicer shot. It's a lot harder than it sounds because I am trying to manage the limb weight and line everything up. By the time I get everything on line I'm already shaking. This is where slowing down and thinking through each shot before I shoot is really helpful.
Keep my elbow down, stay up right. And I'm sure there will be another slew of things to remember once I start using my clicker. I'm hoping to have my arrows back within a couple days. Then everything will change again. I've been warned not to fight the clicker. If we measured the draw length correctly and if I move correctly, then hopefully that won't happen.
Workouts are going well. I just need to keep doing them and follow up with eating right. I can already tell I'm stronger than 2 weeks ago when I started intense workouts. I was sorta letting my cardio go because I was focusing so much on my arms and core. But really I need to do that too, not only for keeping in shape and getting stronger, leaner legs, but also for the mental discipline. Lordy oh lordy...am I going to need it.
I had to stop shooting today, due to fatigue, much sooner than I wanted to stop. But I was only training bad habits and shooting very shaky shots, so there was no point in continuing. It's so hard to stop when I look forward to it each day of the week. But now since I have my own equipment I can shoot every week on my own. It's good to receive instruction but it's also good to shoot on your own with a quiet mind and without interference.
Maybe if I can get in enough practice, I can compete in the club tournament at the end of the season.
I have noticed major progress:
Stabilizers make my shots much smoother. It's like the difference between shooting a handgun and a rifle. They do make the bow heavier but you can rest it on the long stabilizer before each shot which helps. If I move correctly and release the shot well it's as if I am shooting of a ledge and the arrow flies in a beautiful arc through the air. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing that followed by the thunk of the arrow in the target face. Only thing that could make it better would be hitting an X!
My new sight is a DREAM. It's built like a tank and doesn't move unless I crank the dials to turn it. Then it moves in tiny increments so it can adjust to the smallest change. Well worth the money and I can use it for 20 years.
My whole release has greatly improved. I still have to remind myself to use my shoulder but when I do, everything flows better. Hold straight, engage shoulder, pull to anchor point. My coach is helping me develop a checklist for each shot. It's a lot to remember!
Slippery new things to learn:
Since I shoot southpaw style I need to bring the string to my nose at the same time my anchor reaches my chin. Then I need to keep the blur of the string in my peripheral on the right side of my riser handle. And the aperture on the far right. So it goes riser+blurry string+sight aperture on my target=
Keep my elbow down, stay up right. And I'm sure there will be another slew of things to remember once I start using my clicker. I'm hoping to have my arrows back within a couple days. Then everything will change again. I've been warned not to fight the clicker. If we measured the draw length correctly and if I move correctly, then hopefully that won't happen.
Workouts are going well. I just need to keep doing them and follow up with eating right. I can already tell I'm stronger than 2 weeks ago when I started intense workouts. I was sorta letting my cardio go because I was focusing so much on my arms and core. But really I need to do that too, not only for keeping in shape and getting stronger, leaner legs, but also for the mental discipline. Lordy oh lordy...am I going to need it.
I had to stop shooting today, due to fatigue, much sooner than I wanted to stop. But I was only training bad habits and shooting very shaky shots, so there was no point in continuing. It's so hard to stop when I look forward to it each day of the week. But now since I have my own equipment I can shoot every week on my own. It's good to receive instruction but it's also good to shoot on your own with a quiet mind and without interference.
Maybe if I can get in enough practice, I can compete in the club tournament at the end of the season.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
My first ILF rig
Well, I've been shooting with a borrowed ILF rig from a friend/coach for a couple months now. The first time I shot with it, I knew I wanted to head into olympic recurve style for sure. It was always my main goal and I was happy to confirm it.
Wading through the best traditional recurve bows seemed tough, but this is a whole new world!
Do I stick with ILF or try out Formula limbs? Do I go all out on a sight or save money on a cheaper one? Which riser geometry do I like better? Compound that with the fact that it's very hard to try left handed equipment before you buy it, meaning the riser and the sight, and I felt completely overwhelmed!
But then I took a step back and more experienced archers encouraged me to start cheap which determined an ILF rig. Then it was a matter of SF forged plus riser or something else available sooner. Luck would have it, there was an Infinitec riser for sale on eBay and it was LH! Said friend said it would last me 1 or 2 years and since the price was right plus I bargained, I took the plunge and bought it. My very own lovely, erm,mustard yellow lefty riser.
Next, I had to answer the limb question; do I keep borrowing or buy my own? I really want to go shoot every week, not every 2 weeks so I bit the bullet and decided to buy my own limbs. The same friend came through again and found a pair of used limbs comparable in performance and cheaper than the ones I was looking at brand new. It's such a significant price reduction that I'll buy them on Sunday. This same friend also got lucky in his own major haul from Rod White and has a intermediate clicker and plunger to lend me. Did I mention that he's also making me a string? This is guy is a archer girl on a beer budget's true pal.
I also need to shout out to the person who lent me his riser and limbs for so long. Without you I would have progressed at a snail's pace and had a much longer and harder road to plough. You've put me leap years ahead of that and I am truly grateful. I'm looking forward to many more club days of shooting with you.
Now-arrows! Since I want to eventually be shooting a very thin spine for optimal flight and apparently, the arrow's spine size will change according to the poundage, it was best to start cheap yet again. (I know, I know-I'm still researching all this scattered information that seems passed down from teacher to student rather than in a good ol' book. Thank goodness for the www!) Friend making the bow string recommended two types to choose from: carbon express medallion xrs or easton apollos. Xrs are over $8 an arrow while apollos are under $6 an arrow, so I picked the latter. The next step is truly, accurately measuring my draw length, which I will do, again, this Sunday at the archery club. Then I can type in a number, press ship-and I will have new arrows and corresponding points (the arrow tip), nocks and pins. Again...I will be lent blue fletchings. But whether they are still passable after I'm ready to move on to a different spine, I don't know.
That being said, a new sight will be under way too, the shibuya ultima, so it's one I'll never have to replace. And while I'm at it-why not buy a new case to haul all this stuff around? I'm looking at the Easton Club XT Recurve Pack in blue. It's cheaper than Hoyt and will do the job well. I guess I'll have to get over the fact that it looks like it has a diagram of CNS on the outside. Sorry Easton, design team, I guess you thought it looked like a dynamic arrow?
The riser and limbs will eventually be replaced. So will the clicker and plunger. I have others that are pricier on my wish list, but they can wait.
Wait-there's more!
On the workout front-I really have to get stronger. Shooting itself is a good workout but I'm rounding it out with core and ab workouts 3 additional times a week. I also plan on leg workouts with cardio and the occasional SUP on a lake nearby. I am consciously reaching for protein, veggies, healthy fats and whole grains over sweets and empty calories in chips and I can really tell the difference already. I increased my free weights mostly from 5lbs in each hand to 10 lbs in each hand. I am going to price out gyms in my area so I can get access to weight machines that will strengthen my back. This is all for improving my shooting and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. (I do have the occasional treat-I'm human ;)
So, it's been a long time researching and weighing and finally I can make some purchases. I can't imagine not shooting right now-I'm simply not very happy when I can't shoot my bow frequently. Along with my kids and the support of my family, archery is really a lifeline for me and giving me a much needed direction for my life.
I will post pics as soon as I can upload them!
Wading through the best traditional recurve bows seemed tough, but this is a whole new world!
Do I stick with ILF or try out Formula limbs? Do I go all out on a sight or save money on a cheaper one? Which riser geometry do I like better? Compound that with the fact that it's very hard to try left handed equipment before you buy it, meaning the riser and the sight, and I felt completely overwhelmed!
But then I took a step back and more experienced archers encouraged me to start cheap which determined an ILF rig. Then it was a matter of SF forged plus riser or something else available sooner. Luck would have it, there was an Infinitec riser for sale on eBay and it was LH! Said friend said it would last me 1 or 2 years and since the price was right plus I bargained, I took the plunge and bought it. My very own lovely, erm,
Next, I had to answer the limb question; do I keep borrowing or buy my own? I really want to go shoot every week, not every 2 weeks so I bit the bullet and decided to buy my own limbs. The same friend came through again and found a pair of used limbs comparable in performance and cheaper than the ones I was looking at brand new. It's such a significant price reduction that I'll buy them on Sunday. This same friend also got lucky in his own major haul from Rod White and has a intermediate clicker and plunger to lend me. Did I mention that he's also making me a string? This is guy is a archer girl on a beer budget's true pal.
I also need to shout out to the person who lent me his riser and limbs for so long. Without you I would have progressed at a snail's pace and had a much longer and harder road to plough. You've put me leap years ahead of that and I am truly grateful. I'm looking forward to many more club days of shooting with you.
Now-arrows! Since I want to eventually be shooting a very thin spine for optimal flight and apparently, the arrow's spine size will change according to the poundage, it was best to start cheap yet again. (I know, I know-I'm still researching all this scattered information that seems passed down from teacher to student rather than in a good ol' book. Thank goodness for the www!) Friend making the bow string recommended two types to choose from: carbon express medallion xrs or easton apollos. Xrs are over $8 an arrow while apollos are under $6 an arrow, so I picked the latter. The next step is truly, accurately measuring my draw length, which I will do, again, this Sunday at the archery club. Then I can type in a number, press ship-and I will have new arrows and corresponding points (the arrow tip), nocks and pins. Again...I will be lent blue fletchings. But whether they are still passable after I'm ready to move on to a different spine, I don't know.
That being said, a new sight will be under way too, the shibuya ultima, so it's one I'll never have to replace. And while I'm at it-why not buy a new case to haul all this stuff around? I'm looking at the Easton Club XT Recurve Pack in blue. It's cheaper than Hoyt and will do the job well. I guess I'll have to get over the fact that it looks like it has a diagram of CNS on the outside. Sorry Easton, design team, I guess you thought it looked like a dynamic arrow?
The riser and limbs will eventually be replaced. So will the clicker and plunger. I have others that are pricier on my wish list, but they can wait.
Wait-there's more!
On the workout front-I really have to get stronger. Shooting itself is a good workout but I'm rounding it out with core and ab workouts 3 additional times a week. I also plan on leg workouts with cardio and the occasional SUP on a lake nearby. I am consciously reaching for protein, veggies, healthy fats and whole grains over sweets and empty calories in chips and I can really tell the difference already. I increased my free weights mostly from 5lbs in each hand to 10 lbs in each hand. I am going to price out gyms in my area so I can get access to weight machines that will strengthen my back. This is all for improving my shooting and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. (I do have the occasional treat-I'm human ;)
So, it's been a long time researching and weighing and finally I can make some purchases. I can't imagine not shooting right now-I'm simply not very happy when I can't shoot my bow frequently. Along with my kids and the support of my family, archery is really a lifeline for me and giving me a much needed direction for my life.
I will post pics as soon as I can upload them!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Equipment Decisions
Part of the fun of archery is picking out equipment!
I have so many questions....what's the difference between Hoyt grand prix gpx risers and gmx risers? Are they ILF or formula? Often the answer I get is personal preference. But I don't have a preference until I can try it out. Too bad I don't live in Lancaster PA-or taking a trip there soon-hah!
So until then, I am scouring the internet for sales, information and insight. A riser that will click with me when I pick it up and try it out-and won't break the bank.
I know it is well worth it, because it's one of the few things that make me happy these days. Nothing better than kicking my personal life and legal world to the curb right now and shooting in a sunny field with the blue sky and soft clouds above me. I can't wait for the day when I can merely pick up my equipment and go to the range.
Workouts keep happening. I keep working on my core and arms and shoulders. I consciously have to remind myself how to move my shoulder for the correct release. One day it will come, the muscle memory will kick in. Until then I'm a newbie working to get better every day.
Back to the drawing board...
Later
strand count? string length? strand number in my string? What's the difference between 1/4# and 1/8#? what do I need?
I have so many questions....what's the difference between Hoyt grand prix gpx risers and gmx risers? Are they ILF or formula? Often the answer I get is personal preference. But I don't have a preference until I can try it out. Too bad I don't live in Lancaster PA-or taking a trip there soon-hah!
So until then, I am scouring the internet for sales, information and insight. A riser that will click with me when I pick it up and try it out-and won't break the bank.
I know it is well worth it, because it's one of the few things that make me happy these days. Nothing better than kicking my personal life and legal world to the curb right now and shooting in a sunny field with the blue sky and soft clouds above me. I can't wait for the day when I can merely pick up my equipment and go to the range.
Workouts keep happening. I keep working on my core and arms and shoulders. I consciously have to remind myself how to move my shoulder for the correct release. One day it will come, the muscle memory will kick in. Until then I'm a newbie working to get better every day.
Back to the drawing board...
Later
strand count? string length? strand number in my string? What's the difference between 1/4# and 1/8#? what do I need?
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