First day of traing

First days shooting games here at Barry Buddon was was very good! A good windy day, with lots of mixed cloud, no rain today though so a little disappointed by that ;-)

Just rounding of the day with some light recreation in the athletes lounge, some pool and friendly inter country banter!!

Looking forward to some more training tomorrow :-D

Keep well

Dave

A new experience

As the title says, a new experience for me at a Commonwealth Games!! Not only have I visited the gym,, I have used the equipment to! For the purpose it is intended also!!
It very nice and quite new technogym equipment, feel almost bad using it and sweating all over it... But hey! Someone has to!! :-D
Looking forward to a dip in the pool and spa afterwards though :-D

Have fun all

Dave

First view of the venue and ranges

First proper day at the venues and ranges! There are still 2 weeks till the first events and the ranges are looking good. The workforce have done a fab job and continue to do so putting the finishing touches here and there.

The scenic walk from the 50/10 meter range is refreshing and quite tranquil. Could get a little soggy depending on the weather!!

Thankfully there is an athlete lounge with some drinks and a tea / coffee station :-D

Had a lovely lunch of local soup, salad and a roll. 

All the volunteers and staff we have met so far, from catering to range officials to police and security have been very friendly and helpful! It's great to have such a warm welcome from everyone we have met so far :-D 

Arrival at Barry Buddon

After a fairly pleasant amble up the motorway, we have arrived safe in Dundee. The shooting kit is safely deposited to the armoury at Barry Buddon shooting centre. We have been through accreditation, security scanning and room allocation.

Dining here was very nice with a good selection of hot and cold food, drink stations a plenty!

Not many people or countries here yet but I'm sure it will liven up over the next week.

Footie on the TV, then some unpacking ready for a good look at the ranges tomorrow!

Have fun all!

Dave

A photo of me

Hey, just thought seeing as Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are just round the corner (I'm leaving tomorrow) I'd post a new picture!
It helps me check the blog is working and hopefully inspire me and encourage me to continue it for the Games duration.

Keep well all and shoot straight!

Dave :-)

closing ceremony :)

A very entertaining and party like evening! I very much missed not having Sheree there for the ceremony as team England were leading a lot earlier than us. Missed you sweetie!

A good time was had, a little dancing and much flag waving to try n get on tv. I was with a few other Welsh guys near theain speeches podium. So of you saw a flag waving side to side, it was me! :)

A big well done to Helen for bringing the face paints! Brilliant idea and very much in demand, not just by our team!

The group picture is of our support staff, including the general team managers, doctors, sport sciences and Physio's. A great big thank you to all of you and those behind the scenes who make the games what they are for all us athletes. An awesome and pleasurable experience and we would surely struggle without you all. :) Cheers :)

So my third commonwealth games has come to an end, Glasgow beckons as the venue for a potential fourth games. A lot of water to go under many bridges before that! Plans to be formulated, strategies to be set, money to be made and hopefully a pretty large event penciled in for 2013 ;) also need to get various things fixed and sorted, not just shooting straight, but my elbow and fitness. A strange road ahead, that I'm looking forward to traveling :)

Dave

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results

Well if you hadn't already guessed by now, I din't retain my title and didn't reach the final. I had a truly disappointing start to match with a 95 string and struggled from turrets to try and keep it respectable. I am pleased with the way I faught and never gave up, doing the utmost best I could. It just wasn't enough on the day. I've included the pics of score print out for interest :)
Well done to Jon Hammond from Scotland who is the new Commonwealth champion :)

Dave :)

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Another day, another match!

Well let's face it, today was not my best, by so far its untrue.
Sport is so frustrating, one day its all fine and going well, you can hardly put a shot wrongly, and then boom! All of a sudden the momentum that had been building the last 10 days stops and back tracks. Training has been going so well. Comfortable in position and with my abilities, a certain amount of belief was back, the knowledge that the shot would where it was meant to! The 10 ring! Grrr.
I know its not gone, its there lurking under there surface, waiting and so desperately wanting to return the open and show itself, my true self, the form I know I am capable of showing. At least writing these words I confirm at least 1 thing in my mind:
I want it so badly!
The success, the feeling of a good performance, of a great performance, of knowing my score before having to look, of being a champion.
We shall see how tomorrow goes and I promise this: I'll be doing the best I can and giving it all that I can.

It's been a strange 4 years, I wonder how the next 4 will stack up over time.

This is not my last blog post (maybe as current champion), but I do want to thank people for their support and love.
Thank you mum and dad, in many more ways than one I would not be here now or have achieved the things I have without you.
My sister hari, thank you for being there and putting up with me, and john, my official beer tester and surrogate drinker ;)
My fiance sheree, thank you also for putting up with my highs and lows, supporting me and being there in so many ways for me. My wtb :)
Thank to all my other family, adopted, co opted, arm twisted, bribed and everything else. Without my friends who put up with me and my ways I would truly lost - thank you.

Once again, enough talk, time for sleep and then more purposeful action in the morning.

Dave x

Ps. Which side of the force do you think I should go for? Or is better? :)

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stand by for lift of!

Yup time is finally here! The training is done, the firing points assigned, the kit prepared, 4 years of hard work, struggle, sweat blood and often tears have fore.to this point. The night before my team (pairs) match.
I'm looking forward to it. Training has gone well, I just wish I could have got my elbow sorted a bit more satisfactorily fixed n settled. Tried lots of differing options and its basically come down to dose up on paracetemol and ibuprofaen! Oh well.

Sorry no pics today, promises there will be many tomorrow!

Fingers crossed!

Dave :)

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Main dining

Thought I'd show you all some images of main dining this morning. Food is good and there is a ready supply and good variety of culinary delights :) the tea here is fairly decent to!

Hopefully the settings have been changed so people can now leave comments if they wish! We'll soon see :)

Dave

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