journaljuly00v2

July 27-29, 2000

Sunday July 30th -

Finally a morning race! I�m sick of racing at night and I�m convinced that night racing is causing my poor performances. Its gotta be something like that. It�s the last race of the series and even though I�m out of the running for the trip to the World Championship this is the race I�ve been waiting for. A mass start relay format race. Same course as the first day but now we all start at the same time and we get 3 extra rounds for each shooting stage. I don�t really plan on needing those extra rounds, but it comforting to know I have them if I need them.

10:30 am � Race Start. We started after the women completed their race and was very happy to get to the starting line before the real heat showed up. The race started as I thought with the fast runners quickly going to the lead. My tactic was to hang back maybe 20-30 seconds by the time we reached the range for prone shooting. I did just about that and I got into the range in about the middle of the field. I walked to my point and got into prone position. In the relay format race you are allowed to use 3 extra rounds if you miss any targets. If you needed to use all 8 rounds for the 5 targets and you still have misses, then you are off to the dreaded penalty loop. If you need the extra rounds than you need to drop them out a special container in the bottom of your relay magazine. Well it was my belief that I wouldn�t need them so I didn�t bother �declaring� the rounds before I shot. And I was right�.I popped off 5 shots pretty fast (35 seconds) and shot clean. Even though I was maybe 15th into the range and I spotted some guys 20 seconds, I ended up getting back on the course in 1st place.

During the second loop I somehow ended up getting passed by a couple of guys, but I didn�t worry because I�m finally shooting good, plus my running legs have returned (after abandoning me for the last 2 days). Coming into standing shooting I�m in 3rd place. Standing doesn�t go quite as well as prone, but not too bad either. I have to use 2 extra rounds but I end up getting back on course roughly tied with Logan Hammer for the lead. We run about 400 meters and were quickly joined by Eric Wilbrecht. I run with Eric and Logan for about another 400 meters but can�t match their tempo. But I�m still in podium position so all is not lost. I had to fight hard for the next mile as when I looked back I see Danny not too far behind me. I struggle a little bit the last mile, but hold on to 3rd.

All in all it was a good experience to get to the venue and be able to race there, plus I salvaged my race weekend by making the podium on the final day.

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