I don’t think burpees are that fantastic an exercise. But at least they are not harmful like bear crawls. Deadlifting is way better. Double-under skipping is my nemesis.
Wow! Congratulations on being selected, and thank you for being strong. You are an inspiration.
(and say Hi to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for us 
)
The climbers look like something I can do; anything involving jumping I’m out. Searching for burpees taught me that in Spain they’re called ‘the little soldier’… guess that’s where we learned to do them, in Basic 
I can jump on and off the step, but jumping OVER takes some mental preparation.
The tired has set in, so I went to the gym this morning f, but it was definitely not my best workout :(. Lots of strict and push press, rowing and KB swings. I had to cut out the wall climbs since this gym has no suitable wall (may have ruined the pain on one wall - oops.
But the BIG NEWS is that I went to the archery range yesterday with a coach. It turns out I am really already pretty good, SO GO ME! The sightline took some getting used to, since I am used to sighting with the other eye AND right on top of the rifle, so this was different, but very encouraging!
I still have a bruise though. 
Archery is my favourite sport. If you’re new to it, you will probably have to try a few arm and chest guards to find ones that fit properly and give the best protection. Will you be shooting barebow or freestyle?
Almost through week 2 and I genuinely am exhausted. I am not as sore, which is good, although my knees are achy. Probably from bad squat form, so worked on that today. It’s exacerbated by my teen’s ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression. That is the downside.
The bright side is that I took her to the archery range and she LOVED it. So that’s good. We have something we can practice together.
You have good days and bad days. But over time you will gradually improve.
Good luck Posyn!
I don’t mean at the games, I mean good luck not dying before you get there! 
Did you find some archery folks here on the board? I think HoneyBadgerDC is one, if he hasn’t spoken up yet.
Thank you for sharing the updates. It’s fun to read along.
So, I have been slowly meeting the other people on the team online (we have Facebook groups!). There are a whole range of abilities and disabilities, including another archer on the team that is blind - so that will be SUPER interesting.
I went bow shopping at Lancaster Archery and am just letting my coach check out what I picked before I BUY. First training camp is 39 days away and I am feeling some pressure - all self-induced - to get “ready” for the camp. Camp is out in BC.
This week is more CrossFit, spin and swimming. We are also starting up at an indoor archery range.
I have not dropped dead from training (yet)! It is profoundly expensive to equip oneself as an elite athlete - especially when you are NOT one.
So, I have a kickass recurve bow (and am actually a ‘natural’). I am embroiled in a debate with my Invictus Archery coach about the use of a glove over a tab. My argument, the glove is cooler and makes me feel more badass (also, since I don’t “deep hook” the string, I like feeling the string). We will settle it at training camp. Bow purchased from Lancaster Archery in Pennsylvania - ask for Joe - highly recommend! have been to the range twice and am getting some good groupings. Did Paper Cup targeting - when you place a circle and start at the close (5m?) line. You can’t move back until you get three arrows in that circle. It took me eight rounds, so not bad. Many times I was SO CLOSE. Still, for my second trip to the range, I am doing well.
Swimming - I try to have a long, efficient stroke, with lots of body roll (sounds dirty, no?), but can’t seem to get my flip turns down. I hope to get that squares away at camp as well. I suspect it’s harder for adults to learn not to fear swimming full speed at the wall? I bought a MOOV NOW fitness tracker for the swim in particular, ad am hitting the pool again together to focus on JUST SWIMMING as far and as much as I can in an hour. Should be “fun”.
Cycling - and I bring you to the most expensive of my three sports. The training camp is in a few weeks in BC, but since the weather is somewhat unpredictable, I still needed to buy some winter/wet weather cycling kit. Thankfully there are a lot to sales - sadly it’s still expensive. dropped about $300 last night getting everything else I need. Hopefully I am kitted out okay, want to get my hybrid out this weekend, and the road bike next week. Spin class until then!
Training Camp is 8-14 April. Super excited. I lost a week of training because of a migraine and felt like a totally lose - apparently it is totally normal for people with PTSD to just quit. I am bound and determined NOT to quit.
Great update!
Thank you.
Sounds like you’re making great progress.
Flip turns are a bitch. It takes a while to remember to do the turn instead of hitting the wall, and then even more practice to do it at speed. I’d suggest (FWIW) doing some separate drills on just the turns before your laps, and then maybe a few more to close out. Do you have someone on hand that can help you with some drills for that?
I’m jealous on the archery. My mom was the archer in our family. I went with big (horses).
Thank you for the update!
You’re doing it! We’re so proud of you!
A few firsts this weekend:
-
Shot with my new bow. I bought a Galaxy carbon riser and gold long limbs, so when it’s put together, the recurve is to my shoulder/chin. The thin is powerful. It’s a 30lbs draw, so heavier than I used previously, and will take a bit of getting used to - but it looks badass. My archery buddy snapped a pic while I was shooting (he didn’t ask, which is better so I wasn’t posing) and damn it if I don’t look a little like I know what I am doing!
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tried my first Masters swim club practice. That was REALLY humbling since both my skill and endurance is no where near everyone else’s. All good though. I managed to make it to an hour before I was gassed (practice was an hour and a half).
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Got some more bike gear. New bike is a few weeks away too.
Still feels weird to call myself “an athlete”. Hoping as I get better at my sports it will feel more natural
Camp is only a few weeks away. I am nervous and excited.
Leaving for the first camp on Sunday. Less nervous about it now that I have seen the schedule. I have Archery Mon, Tue, Thu morning and alternate cycling and swimming in the afternoons. I am flying home on Friday (one day early) because it’s my birthday (Happy Birthday to me!). The FB groups have been really busy, people are nervous, and those of us with PTSD tend to run a little more anxious than the average, so it’s busy.
Found out we are getting a deal on the new bikes, so I will be selling my current road bike (Trek 1.1, if anyone is interested). I will try to post from camp and let you know how it’s going
Good luck and have fun!
That’s great! Good luck!
Woo-hoo! I have the biggest smile just reading this. Very happy for you.