05/05/2026
Welp, once again, the results on paper have nothing to say about our performance. We were hands down head and shoulders better than last year. We E’d four out of five rounds, and yet, we were so close to being clean more than once. Last year, after WTT, in an attempt to make some data driven decisions about where to put my training focus, I recorded every error we made in each round. I did the same thing this year after round 4 and the list speaks for itself. It is SO much shorter. It made a huge difference to me to look at those two lists. It made me feel like it isn’t just trite or forced positivity to say that we have improved. I also especially appreciated those that pointed out the difference they have seen in my handling since last year.
After some reflection, I have realized that I think part of my disappointment after EOTT and 1-TDC was that part of me was worried that was as good of a performance as we could ever hope to give, and that I had somehow missed my chance. Now, I feel like I am finally grasping the fact that this is where we are. We can consistently perform at this level. We have leveled up one more notch and there are still just a few more to go. So we will keep chipping away.
My mental game during events has gotten much better, particularly on course. It was funny to have a few people comment about how “fierce” I am out on course. The truth is, that is my way of staying focused and in the moment. To think of nothing else besides, connect, cue, see commitment, move, repeat. Any lower level of intensity and my mind wanders.
I still struggle to have the positive 10,000 foot view that some of my peers have. I admire them for their strength and resolve. Perhaps, I will be there someday too. We all have our own journeys 🙂 Today I am happy to be walking away with more confidence in myself than I went in with.
