Following the Thoresby shoot things all got very manic at work and required a lot of very long, intense hours and when at home I tired to concentrate on responding to Integr8archery emails and messages, ensuring commitments were met and planning and finalising details for new provisions and groups.
No shooting at all for 2 weeks just some clingy band work whenever I could to keep the muscles awake and ready for the county championships. Apologies to anyone living with me or trying to message me because I have been at work, asleep or in meetings ☕️
Next week will be 117 weeks which is the first quarter of my third year – it never stops being amazing.
My little non profit community interest company – reaching out to provide access to sports for so many people who think they cannot take part for such a variety of reasons.
So, numbers? (I know it’s only week 116🙃).
The first quarter is always a little lower because it covers the school summer holidays, schools are a big part of what I do, but with the community groups we have covered and the final weeks of the 23/24 academic year we have had the following numbers –
schools – 242
SEN & disability groups – 72
seniors – 58
Children in Care – 15
Children’s activity groups – 48
435 people in 3 months, I am happy with that, I love the laughter and smiles and the joy that comes with introducing the sport that I love to new people along with watching the progression of those who are wanting to.
Sunday saw the NCAS Open and County Championships and I was finally able to pick up my bow. A second bowman 1st class score in the first session and an expected dip in the second session, both beating the personal best score I set for the round in 2021. A possibility I may have set a county record for the double, claim submitted and to be confirmed, unlikely to be long before someone has beaten it but I was only beaten to the gold by 4 points and that, along with everything else just shows the work that has gone into my outdoor season is all falling into place.
Though the pain was high by the end of the day and Monday certainly saw me pay, I can say with certainty that I am currently feeling the joy that I felt back in my first outdoor season in 2018 is back and that is worth all of the work and effort. 2019 – 2023 were a rollercoaster of emotions and struggling to find new ways to shoot to allow me to continue. Definitely standby the care you should take in who you let into your circle, choose only the right voices to let into your head space.
A couple of possible outdoor competitions that I may take part in to spend time with friends and to maybe see if I can get the third bowman 1st class score, but I had marked this weekend as the official end to my outdoor season so I can say that on reflection I am incredibly happy and have enjoyed most of the season.
This week will see 2 new groups pick up bows for their first session so that will be fun and schools are settling back in this week after the return for the 2024/25 academic year.
Enjoy the week and catch up with you soon ❤️🏹
