My 2018 accomplishments

svtf150

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And just like that...it's February...my how the time do fly!!!

Didn't make any resolutions or promises to myself,
but during January I got started with some physical exercising of my lazy body!!!
And I also started doing some firearms training here at the house.
Mostly dry-fire. Drawing from concealment and on out to the trigger press.
Having some issues but hopefully more time and reps will make it right.

But one thing, my right forearm on back into my elbow has gotten sore and achy. Really achy...
Is this something to be expected?
Or is it just another reminder I ain't as good as I once was....:rolleyes:
 
And just like that...it's February...my how the time do fly!!!

Didn't make any resolutions or promises to myself,
but during January I got started with some physical exercising of my lazy body!!!
And I also started doing some firearms training here at the house.
Mostly dry-fire. Drawing from concealment and on out to the trigger press.
Having some issues but hopefully more time and reps will make it right.

But one thing, my right forearm on back into my elbow has gotten sore and achy. Really achy...
Is this something to be expected?
Or is it just another reminder I ain't as good as I once was....:rolleyes:

thank me later, but do this and that elbow pain will disappear

https://www.absolutept.com/shooters-elbow/

 
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@Mike Overlay

Havn't been on and I'm just now seeing this.
at 3:38 he points at exactly where most of my issue seems to be . It's aggravating for sure.
Will work with this.
Thanks for the help.
 
My accomplishment.... I gained 7 pounds. lol

Ha!! I will see your 7 and raise ya 4!!

I finally found the dumbbells I had stashed away.
Thought they were 3 lbs but not sure so i stepped on the bathroom scale with them,
expecting to see my weight plus 6, 194ish, imagine my surprise seeing 209!!!! WTF???
Dropped the weights and 199. WTH???
The good part is that the weights are 5lbs.
But since my DOT physical in mid-November, I have put on some poundage and this is not good.
And with doing some exercise 3 days, and walking 2 days, for almost 4 weeks now, I may have lost some already. Yikes!
 
So here it is mid March.
I've lost only 4 lbs. :(

I began doing the exercises that Chad shows in the video posted above.
Immediately it seemed to be making the condition worse so I stopped.
I stopped everything I do, playing the bass guitar, riding the motorcycle, no more dry-fire, I've only live-fired twice since and have hardly any control.
I helped demo the carpet out of our church sanctuary and 20 minutes on the end of a hammer removing tack strips was simply agonizing.
I was poking around a while ago and came across this blog that Chad does and I thought others might would benefit too. http://www.absolutept.com/shooters-elbow/
Edit: Same link as the one under the video. Duhhhh....

After reading through this I am going to try again with a little alteration and pain be damned, see if I can't get on the road to improvement.

If I can get the night off of the 30th, I was planning on shooting the bug match at H2o the next day but I'm feeling doubtful that it would even be worth trying at this point.
 
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Is there any kind of brace you can wear to aid in some support? I've had to do this with an aching elbow..from repetitive work ala tennis elbow..and the brace took some of the stress off the elbow as well as reminding me to take it easy.
 
Is there any kind of brace you can wear to aid in some support? I've had to do this with an aching elbow..from repetitive work ala tennis elbow..and the brace took some of the stress off the elbow as well as reminding me to take it easy.

I know I've seen something that you would wear that extends both above and below the elbow a bit. But whether or not it would help I do not know.
Will look into it.
 
Is there any kind of brace you can wear to aid in some support? I've had to do this with an aching elbow..from repetitive work ala tennis elbow..and the brace took some of the stress off the elbow as well as reminding me to take it easy.
I had tennis elbow bad last year, after repairing some sheet rock walls.

This helped.
And I borrowed the stronger pink/red version of the Theraband that helped more.


fullsizeoutput_92e.jpeg

This helped a little. I wore it some at matches, then said "screw it" it just put up with the pain till it finally went away completely after about six months.

fullsizeoutput_92a.jpeg
 
@fieldgrade
Thanks for the info.
The Mueller band is worn above the elbow correct?
A co-worker had mentioned some sort of strap or band. It sounded like he was describing whats in that pic.
 
@fieldgrade
Thanks for the info.
The Mueller band is worn above the elbow correct?
A co-worker had mentioned some sort of strap or band. It sounded like he was describing whats in that pic.
Nope. There is thick dense pad inside the band about the size of a half dollar (oval actually) and you fit the band tightly right on the spot just below the elbow (an inch below maybe) where the tendon attaches to the bone and where the pain from tennis elbow emanates. The pressure from that pad supports that spot and mitigates some of the discomfort.
 
So fast forward to April.
@Mike Overlay I will now say thank you.
The last 2 weeks I got after it and pushed on through the pain while doing the reps and while doing dry-fire, and now can feel the results.
Still not 100% but way way better.
Was able to shoot the match Saturday and didn't feel like the pistol was flopping all around.
Pain didn't flare up that night, rode the bike a solid 4 hours yesterday with just a little discomfort
and today it's still not any worse.
My hat's off to you sir.
 
Nope. There is thick dense pad inside the band about the size of a half dollar (oval actually) and you fit the band tightly right on the spot just below the elbow (an inch below maybe) where the tendon attaches to the bone and where the pain from tennis elbow emanates. The pressure from that pad supports that spot and mitigates some of the discomfort.

Oh no! I get tennis elbow from time to time and that thing is the devil! I could never get it in the right spot, it always just made it hurt worse!
 
So fast forward to April.
@Mike Overlay I will now say thank you.
The last 2 weeks I got after it and pushed on through the pain while doing the reps and while doing dry-fire, and now can feel the results.
Still not 100% but way way better.
Was able to shoot the match Saturday and didn't feel like the pistol was flopping all around.
Pain didn't flare up that night, rode the bike a solid 4 hours yesterday with just a little discomfort
and today it's still not any worse.
My hat's off to you sir.


However, running a string trimmer for 2 hours yesterday definitely set me back. Really sore today Dang it.
Just in time for Saturday...:(
 
@NKD

Well I cowboy upped it alright but nuttin much to show for it.
All good...I ain't givin' up.
 
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End of April update:
So this month i was able to shoot my first two matches.
I am still struggling with the tennis/shooters elbow. It gets better and worse. Running a chainsaw for a few hours, helping my friend cleanup after the storm a couple weekends ago, helped it and eventually got it really aggravated again. Still doing the PT exercises on both arms 5 days a week. I'm able to keep pushing on so i'm pushing onward.

Still walking a minimum of 3 miles, 3 days a week and the other 2 days are physical fitness exercise days. Lost 11 lbs so far! I don't know where. I can't see any difference. Makes no sense.

Built some target stands for outdoor dryfire practice and as of last week i am finally on a committed to practice schedule. No less than 45 minutes a day on most days.
Our house isn't really conducive to practice plus I'd rather be outdoors anyway.

Guess thats about it.

Here we go into the 2nd third of 2018.
 
I've learned in the last two weeks that time-management is critical. I'm just trying to do too much in the limited time that I have.

So I shot my 3rd match Saturday at H2o. I finished 118 seconds behind the winner @nchiker1. I wonder what I was doing all that time....:confused:o_O
In position I didn't finish any better than I did at the last one, but I feel a whole lot better about the whole thing and think i achieved some accomplishments. This match was the most challenging and most fun to shoot match yet.
I was shooting yet another pistol this time, my FNSC. I'm switching to a full size gun soon.

To begin with I was in a much better mental state before and during the match than I have been before.

I did not "try" and to do anything. I just shot. Unlike the last match when I "tried" to do a lot of things, including shooting faster than I could.

Most of my practice so far has been on accuracy, the sight picture, grip and trigger press, and trying to learn to call the shots. So at the match I was trying to call the shots for the 1st time ever. I made up several questionables, but on the targets I think I saw positive results from the time I've spent practicing. Lot's of down zeros.
On scorecards my accuracy was up over 50% compared to the last match, but since we don't shoot the same stages every month, I can't really compare scorecards month to month and count that as reliable data to determine accuracy or performance can I? Does that even make sense?
Well never mind, I just realized it's all moot cause I was shooting a different pistol.

Based on my time I certainly was in no hurry, but I think I noticed a couple things, a little bit quicker index most of the time, and less over-aiming before breaking the shot. There were quicker follow-up shots, noted by an observer not by me, I shot 2 stages clean, but they were slow. Reeeeeeeel slooooooow. Everything else is still slow and needs work, but I'm a keepin' practicing and and hopin' to get better.
 
I've learned in the last two weeks that time-management is critical. I'm just trying to do too much in the limited time that I have.

So I shot my 3rd match Saturday at H2o. I finished 118 seconds behind the winner @nchiker1. I wonder what I was doing all that time....:confused:o_O
In position I didn't finish any better than I did at the last one, but I feel a whole lot better about the whole thing and think i achieved some accomplishments. This match was the most challenging and most fun to shoot match yet.
I was shooting yet another pistol this time, my FNSC. I'm switching to a full size gun soon.

To begin with I was in a much better mental state before and during the match than I have been before.

I did not "try" and to do anything. I just shot. Unlike the last match when I "tried" to do a lot of things, including shooting faster than I could.

Most of my practice so far has been on accuracy, the sight picture, grip and trigger press, and trying to learn to call the shots. So at the match I was trying to call the shots for the 1st time ever. I made up several questionables, but on the targets I think I saw positive results from the time I've spent practicing. Lot's of down zeros.
On scorecards my accuracy was up over 50% compared to the last match, but since we don't shoot the same stages every month, I can't really compare scorecards month to month and count that as reliable data to determine accuracy or performance can I? Does that even make sense?
Well never mind, I just realized it's all moot cause I was shooting a different pistol.

Based on my time I certainly was in no hurry, but I think I noticed a couple things, a little bit quicker index most of the time, and less over-aiming before breaking the shot. There were quicker follow-up shots, noted by an observer not by me, I shot 2 stages clean, but they were slow. Reeeeeeeel slooooooow. Everything else is still slow and needs work, but I'm a keepin' practicing and and hopin' to get better.

Keep up the good work man. If you feel you are making improvements, and that they are coming from practice and thinking about it, you are certainly headed in the right direction!
 
I've learned in the last two weeks that time-management is critical. I'm just trying to do too much in the limited time that I have.

So I shot my 3rd match Saturday at H2o. I finished 118 seconds behind the winner @nchiker1. I wonder what I was doing all that time....:confused:o_O
In position I didn't finish any better than I did at the last one, but I feel a whole lot better about the whole thing and think i achieved some accomplishments. This match was the most challenging and most fun to shoot match yet.
I was shooting yet another pistol this time, my FNSC. I'm switching to a full size gun soon.

To begin with I was in a much better mental state before and during the match than I have been before.

I did not "try" and to do anything. I just shot. Unlike the last match when I "tried" to do a lot of things, including shooting faster than I could.

Most of my practice so far has been on accuracy, the sight picture, grip and trigger press, and trying to learn to call the shots. So at the match I was trying to call the shots for the 1st time ever. I made up several questionables, but on the targets I think I saw positive results from the time I've spent practicing. Lot's of down zeros.
On scorecards my accuracy was up over 50% compared to the last match, but since we don't shoot the same stages every month, I can't really compare scorecards month to month and count that as reliable data to determine accuracy or performance can I? Does that even make sense?
Well never mind, I just realized it's all moot cause I was shooting a different pistol.

Based on my time I certainly was in no hurry, but I think I noticed a couple things, a little bit quicker index most of the time, and less over-aiming before breaking the shot. There were quicker follow-up shots, noted by an observer not by me, I shot 2 stages clean, but they were slow. Reeeeeeeel slooooooow. Everything else is still slow and needs work, but I'm a keepin' practicing and and hopin' to get better.
Have to second @NKD. Keep up what you're doing. I'll add that sticking with one gun will help immensely. Just decide which one best fits your needs make it your go-to. Good work!
 
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Having had tendonitis so bad that both elbows have been surgically repaired I will say that the cowboy up comments are quite ill advised. Continuing the activity that has aggravated tissue will only make it worse. Anti-inflamatories, compression straps, stretching exercises, wrist curls and ice will help.
 
Having had tendonitis so bad that both elbows have been surgically repaired I will say that the cowboy up comments are quite ill advised. Continuing the activity that has aggravated tissue will only make it worse. Anti-inflamatories, compression straps, stretching exercises, wrist curls and ice will help.

You are 100% correct about that. My bad.
 
We are getting better though it may not reflect it in ours scores. Just through repetition we have to get better. My goals are simple, by the end August I want to be consistently in the top 30 percent. I know this a lot for me to expect but I'm putting the time in. I won't know if I don't try. We just have to stay committed. I Know I'll never be a top 10 guy but it doesn't mean I'm not going to try.
 
@NKD Thank you sir.

@nchiker1 Today marks the beginning of practice with 4.25" M&P 2.0 and it's gonna be the one. Holster and mag carriers are on the way.
I shot a gen 1 a couple years ago and the fit was dang near perfect for me, and I shot it as good as anything else.
And liking the shield so much that I picked up recently I decided to just stick with S&W.
So me and "Daisy" the mighty M&P are about to get to work.:D

@DrPhudd Ice is a wonderful thing. And I do the PT from Chad Reilly.
And don't worry bout NKD. He's just being inspirational. :cool: Which I greatly appreciate:D

We are getting better though it may not reflect it in ours scores. I agree 100%
Just through repetition we have to get better. My goals are simple, by the end August I want to be consistently in the top 30 percent. I know this a lot for me to expect but I'm putting the time in. I won't know if I don't try. Go for it Mike. IMO it's not a lot to expect if you think you can do it! If I can help in any way just let me know. I'm hesitant to set a goal that specific. At this point my goal is to just keep practicing and getting better.

We just have to stay committed. I agree 100%. And it's tough. I only have about 4 hrs of time each day to do the tasks that I need to do, first, then the things that I want to do, And it's not enough. Everything is spread too thin right now. I've got to get 2 labor intensive projects behind me and then I'll be able to breathe a little. Recently I started a side hustle that supports my gun hobby so I don't have to dip into my regular income. That's even more time I don't have.

I Know I'll never be a top 10 guy but it doesn't mean I'm not going to try.
Never say never, or always.:D
 
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And also I was given this medal Saturday.
I don't know if it's because they felt sorry for me, or because I was the most handsome shooter there, but either way I'll take it.;)
DSCN0871.JPG DSCN0872.JPG
 
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We are getting better though it may not reflect it in ours scores. Just through repetition we have to get better. My goals are simple, by the end August I want to be consistently in the top 30 percent. I know this a lot for me to expect but I'm putting the time in. I won't know if I don't try. We just have to stay committed. I Know I'll never be a top 10 guy but it doesn't mean I'm not going to try.

Are you talking about local matches? You can absolutely be a top-10 guy. Dry-fire a few times a week and regular practice will get you there pretty quick. Even in a competitive area (which Raleigh is) you can do it regardless of age, weight, resources etc. Winning majors will take much more work, but you get the benefit of crossing that bridge when you come to it.
 
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@NKD And don't worry bout NKD. He's just being inspirational. :cool: Which I greatly appreciate:D

No worries. When my first elbow blew out, I learned the hard way. It's just pain, pushed thru, kept banging nails (I was roofing the house). Shredded it to the point there was no healing without surgery. This is not a place you want to be.

My left one was damaged by Levaquin. Half a dozen pills is all it took
 
Good Friday Mornin!
Got home a few hours ago and can't get to sleep so figured I'd jump on here and do an end of May update.

My side hustles have dominated my time for weeks now. To the point I was aggravated with myself for not
following through on the commitment to practice. A friend told me I needed to chill, that it's a hobby and just to do what I could do.
That actually helped a lot. After shooting the first match I had jumped in way deep, and I'm OCD too...it was bad. Calmed down now though.

Not too much to report with regards to shooting.
So after getting the pistol and acquiring associated gear , I think I have practiced maybe two hours total...in three weeks.
Thinkin about trying to make it to the match tomorrow, I went to the range yesterday and put the 1st 175ish rounds through the m&p.
Tried to shoot some groups @15 yds, strong, weak and both hands. Kinda shaky. Needs work.
Worked on drawing from concealment to 1st shot on the timer for the first time. @ 5 yds.
Did about 18 reps. All my elbow could stand.
Second rep was worst at 2.02
About a dozen reps in I hit a 1.27
A couple later I hit a 1.18
Then I blew one and it went downhill after.
I was just surprised to see the reduction in just that few reps.

Also for the first time, I set up a simple movement drill, two positions about 5 yds apart with 1 target each behind barricades.
Start with a 5 yd run to 1st position, 1 shot, to 2nd position, 1 shot. No times.
I was panting in 4 minutes!!
I was also slippin and slidin some trying to really get in and outa position quicker.
Now I can kinda understand the need for shoes with some gription. (grip+traction)

Moved over to the next bay and shot a couple mags worth at steel from 15 yds.
I was 1 for 1 through 1st 7 but this was in accuracy mode too.
And that was it for the session.

Loose ends:
I'm still dealing with the elbow issue. String trimming, painting, shooting all aggravate it. It aches for a day or two after any of those activities.
I stopped the exercises again, it just seems to make it worse.
I havn't been doing any exercise period. Just simply need the time elsewhere right now.
Also, about 3 weeks ago I pulled a muscle in top of my right thigh into the groin area. That's not been pleasant either.
Not looking for sympathy, just sayin' we play the hand that's dealt us right? I'm thankful I can do what I can.
 
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End of year update:

As far as shooting goes I was able to make it to 7 of the matches at my local range. Circumstances surrounding my job caused me to miss 3 of them. This past Saturdays match was definitely my best yet. 1 bad stage really cost me but it's all good.
I am seeing improvment and i'm excited about it and having fun too!
I'm really looking forward to 2019 and hopefully making it to all the matches.

On a more personal level, my wife and I paid off all our debts except for the house. And we have started doing some things concerning retirement.

I've met a few folks from this here forum that have been most helpful, and fun to shoot with and I really appreciate it too
And that's about it.

Edit:
I left out two things I'm most happy about.
My weight is down to 184-186 depending on the day.
And finally, I am at 95% pain-free status regarding the stinkin shooters elbow.
That crap hung on and hung on tight well into September.



And just like that, another year gone by.
 
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