Prime age for pistol competitors

[jpsIII]

This is an interesting and ever-relevant topic…since all of us are aging. And sooner or later our scores will age with us. But the topic also asks: Why do we shoot? The drive to excel is surely important, but is that the reason?

[Momentary diversion while we ponder that question: I know a rower who once truly excelled, even Gold-medalling at the 1984 Olympics in the Women's Heavyweight Eight. Good, yes? But after '84 she rapidly lost interest in immersing herself in the pleasure of the boat and the crew on any particular non-competitive day. Without the highest level of competition, involvement was pointless. Master's rowing, Veteran's rowing, Singles, Doubles…all were anticlimactic. Was her interest actually in rowing, or was it in a Platonic ideal of excellence?]

I am a duffer that one in a while can still make the team in League matches. I used to make it a lot more. Of course, my team is a lot better now than it was 20 years ago! Does that diminish my enjoyment? Maybe just a little. But I keep coming back. I like shooting. So, you true elites: remember that it's the bottom of the pyramid that makes your sport possible. Nuf Sed. [big smile]