This must be what it feels like
for college grads to finally obtain that degree and still fail to find
a job with it. Maybe I've mentioned this earlier but I recall doing slowfire drills in the rain and snow in Fort Kent. It was May first and the coaches really wanted me
to increase the volume of shooting this year. We don't have a covered
range and it wasn't the best conditions that day, but hey goals are
goals... and so is hypothermia. The point is, thus far that effort
has been in vain. I also recall snapping the lenses out of my race
glasses in frustration while I clenched the the sides of my head in
the changing cabin. That was last week, post WC sprint race in
Slovenia. What can I say I really like great results and don't bode
well when things don't pan out the way I want them to. In a lot of
cases this in understandable, but in this case the work was done and
I was expecting better performance from my myself.
![]() |
There are lot of grand pictures to be had from Bled Slovenia. |
Let's just keep the negative
train going for little longer. After two racing series we all thought
I had the cobwebs out and was primed for a better day. We had a plan
that was simple enough to follow even during race. The conditions
were not perfect, but with one of the hills salted it made a nice chance for the late starters. By the way; not unlike the other
two places we've been to this trimester Pokljuka, SLO was also
struggling for snow. It doesn't feel like winter anywhere in
central Europe at the moment. After patiently waiting for my bib
(101) to leave it was finally my last chance of the year to justify
being on the circuit. In case you haven't already guessed, prone was
my downfall. Four misses and the race was virtually over. I told
myself not to over hold on the aiming. Time and time again this year
that was the problem. The timing and a small part in the set up have
been the cause all the problems in prone it seems. Why did I do this?
It's hard to take a shot any earlier than you want to. It's temping
to take that extra 2/10ths of a second to double check the aiming.
This works fine if you're shooting off a bench at a resting
heartrate. I was around 180 bmp. The window of opportunity to have an
eight ring or better is a narrow one. Ironically, it seems the more I
want it the more I miss. See why I consider biathlon to be a cruel
and viscous sport?
Standing was also the worst
of the month with another two misses. Normally the last lap is fight
with your fitness level. On this day it was a struggle to keep it
together mentally. I felt bad for the coaches and techs on side of the
course that had to wait for me. Though I do appreciate the
unconditional support. The other three guys had a solid day. We're on
good pace in the nations cup points. Needless to say I wasn't in the
best of moods. I was going to have to watch the pursuit on EuroSport
for the third time this year.
![]() |
If you want to see more you should hit up the google machine or the archives of this blog for more Bled, SLO pics. |
And finally, I might as
well mention that ski speed was also demoralizing. It has been
the whole trimester. The energy level has been up and down, but more
so down. That springy feeling in the legs is always a good indicator
that you're recovered and ready to race. I can't say I've felt that
way for most of the race starts. Not completely sure why. I've seen
it happen to wide variety of athletes so there are countless reasons.
Okay so where does this
put Russell's 2015 racing season? First of all, staying calm under
pressure may not be not my specialty, but neither is giving up. The
contrast between a good day and bad day is staggering for me. Just
ask the other guys. Seeing the leaders cross the finish line on TV
reminds me how grand a successful day can be. I've invested too much
into this to think that I can't be closer to the top. Let me put it
another way. If (hypothetically) cutting off one of fingers meant
having the results I want to have, then I would go through the rest
of my life with nine fingers if it lead to successful racing career. Obviously it wouldn't be my trigger
finger. Maybe my ring finger... That one isn't going to be useful
anytime soon.
![]() |
Just breakfast things. |
Lets get down to the
point. If the third time is not a charm then maybe the fourth is. I
have two key ideas to work with in shooting. Next week will have a
brief amount of volume before Christmas. Followed by a full recovery.
Resting is the most fail safe way to bring the energy levels back up
and it's pretty easy to do this time of year. The week after Christmas will have some
quality shooting sessions. All with a race pace effort. The goal is
to flesh out the racing zone. It can take some time to get into top
form. A few controlled high intensity sessions can do a lot to build
on that. The more I can recreate a race like effort with shooting the
more I can bring the progress from easy sessions to the higher
pressures situations. In other words: I want to train in the “fail
zone” so to be rid of it before the next important race.
Oh yeah. Now I remember why I sought out a "better than a cell phone camera" camera. |
And yes there is more racing
to be had. It's not even 2015 yet. I'll have more details on that one
in another update. Think Poland for now. I mentioned in an interview
back home a while back that I had made good progress in training all
year; that shooting had good promise to it. This has been
undeniable... during training. The days before the past world cups
are usually around 90% shooting wise.
It only takes one good race to
start the catalyst of a great season. No promises. This isn't a sport
to make promises. It's a sport of good probability. The plan to
increase the probability is set out and as always I'll carry through
with the plan the best that I can. Sorry for the less than positive
updates lately, but hey “you can't argue with results”.
Thanks
for reading.
See also: Merry Christmas n'stuff.
Add caption |
P.S. To add to the bad news: I'm pretty
certain I need a root canal done. My insurance will not cover it and
I don't have the time right now. It hurts like hell and often wakes
me up in the middle of the night.