LPatterson Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I learned to stop ducking for the zings after the first day of so and that Propel had the same after taste after the first box. I didn't get stomach cramps until the 6th or 7th day and that could have been the food. With all the heat and all the running I still gained 10 pounds. Next time I'll know better, yeah right sure I will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritinUSA Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I lost 3lbs, I was doing a lot of walking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 First and foremost, as a former event producer, I recognize the hard work that goes into an event like this. While I have some criticisms, I applaud the USPSA staff and volunteers for pulling off a great event. I learned that DQing at the Nats is a bad news/good news scenario. On the one hand, you really hate not getting to finish the match, you question your judgement and your skills, and then you spend the next several days alternating between wondering if you should have gone to arbitration and kicking yourself for making a mistake. On the plus side, people were as nice as they could possibly be about it, and it freed up some time to check out the desert and the top shooters. From watching the Super Squad, I learned that the "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" mantra really works. They really didn't look like they were running that fast. But there was no wasted motion, and the RO/scorekeeper's job mainly consisted of repeatedly shouting "Two! Two! Two!" The biggest difference I could see between the Super Squad and other squads was the lack of mistakes. They did everything right. Should be simple, no? Its also nice to see the best shooters in the world competing for a title and still joking and talking equipment like a bunch of buddies at the local club match. If there was tension in the air, I couldn't detect it. Its also nice to see a bunch of guys who all have major titles under their belt going downrange to tape and paint. You suppose Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant ever collected loose balls after practice or pushed the towel cart down to the laundry room? I learned that the ladies cheer each other on more than the guys do. After each shooter, there were whoops and cheers. I remember seeing the same thing when my son and daughter were playing baseball and softball. The boys would cheer a home run or a double play. The girls would cheer any decent effort. I wasn't bowled over by Vegas. All in all, if I was going to go to a town to party, I'd just as soon save a few bucks and go to a city that had its own culture. When you're in Memphis or Santa Fe (or New Orleans, or Chicago, or New York, or...), there's no doubt that you're in a town with a unique flavor. Of course, I'm not much of a gambler, and get annoyed by the constant sound of slot machines. I also noted that by the time I paid cab fare, dinner and bar tabs, and good tickets, a night out for a nice dinner and a show with the wife ran over $400. That's a good deal on a production gun or 2K rounds of ammo! On the other hand, the treks out to Hoover Dam, Red Rocks Canyon, and meandering in the desert were beautiful. If I were going to come back to the nats in Vegas, I think I'd either stay out at Red Rocks and focus on the match, or stay in one of the nice hotels on the strip and focus on the nightlife. The Orleans was a compromise that seemed to combine the worst of both worlds. All that said, the steady flow to the casinos proves that 50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong. Guess I'm in the minority. I learned that the top guys tank stages, too. On one stage, I beat a couple of GMs, A, and B shooters with a run that wasn't exactly world class. Its reassuring to know even someone like MM can zero a stage. I try to remind myself of that when I make a "mental mike" and focus on getting my head back in the game instead of beating myself up. I'm not sure that I'll be back to the nats until they're either in some other city or I've improved enough to stand a decent chance of taking something home. In the meantime, there are a lot of club and sectional matches to hone my skills. I also learned that flying with guns is a lot easier than I thought. TSA and the airlines were easy to deal with. Only hassle was having to carry an extra carry on for my clothes since my main suitcase was full of guns and gear. My hat is off to the USPSA staff and volunteers. Good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DyNo! Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I learned to stop ducking for the zings after the first day of so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadeslade Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I learned to stop ducking for the zings after the first day of so and that Propel had the same after taste after the first box. I didn't get stomach cramps until the 6th or 7th day and that could have been the food. With all the heat and all the running I still gained 10 pounds. Next time I'll know better, yeah right sure I will. Leroy, Try the Vitamin Water flavor Revive-it has a good bit of potassium and few calories and tastes way better than Propel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritinUSA Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Of course, I'm not much of a gambler, and get annoyed by the constant sound of slot machines. +1 That noise drove me nuts. The constant smell of cigarette smoke everywhere was like being back in Greece. I'd go back for another Nationals, the drive over and back was pleasant (the route consisted of I-70, I-15, turn right on Tropicana) even I couldn't get lost. I missed the color green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshF Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I learned to stop ducking for the zings after the first day Yeah, never got use to that myself. Stopped ducking but still winced every time. As for what I learned... some was good some was bad. 1. Good squad mates make shooting fun no matter what! I shot with a terrific group of people on squad 11. Some helped me out with gun issues while others just joked the entire time and made it very enjoyable. I'd squad with any of them again in a heart beat. 2. Slow and steady is NOT the way to go at Nationals. I tried what has worked before and it bit me hard. Figured I'd learned my lesson after Area 2 last year but I need to run my normal pace at these matches and forget about the possible consequences (NS, Mike, etc). 3. I love shooting in the desert. Nice dry heat is so nice when you are use to 80% humidity of the Midwest. Also there are NO allergy problems in the desert! 4. Drinking heavily after sitting out in the Nevada heat is a A#& kicker! I was SO hurting on Friday! 5. I just can't hang with the Norwegians. Those guys shoot hard and play even harder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 It's always fun to put faces to names and aliases here on the forum. That's probably my favorite part of the match. It was a real honor to meet you and shoot with you and Brian. Kimel, how I didn't get a chance to introduce myself is beyond me. Might just have to blame it on nerves at my first REALLY big match. I learned to stop ducking for the zings after the first day or so I never got used it and that stuff about never hearing the one that hits you is right on. I got nailed in the mouth on day two or three and never heard it coming. Stung like a son a bi.... you get the idea. I learned to stop ducking for the zings after the first day of so It was not uncommon to hear one every minute or so. Either a bullet or a rock gone skipping out of the range. On one stage we had a rock, around an ounce or so, land in the middle of our squad. Needless to say that got everyones attention. No fun at all. Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Zion National Park. <3 hours from Vegas. The only smoke is from evening campfires. Not a slot machine to be heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 As for what I learned... some was good some was bad.1. Good squad mates make shooting fun no matter what! I shot with a terrific group of people on squad 11. Some helped me out with gun issues while others just joked the entire time and made it very enjoyable. I'd squad with any of them again in a heart beat. I wonder which group I fit into. I really enjoyed meeting you and your Dad and shooting the match together. Regardless of what you think of your results from the match, you shot well and fast. I was inspired to try to keep up with you. I failed, but I was inspired. What did you learn? Folks like me from the deep South are used to a completely different environment. I'm used to sweating like Mike Tysom taking SATs at a match. The dry desert climate can fool you into thinking you're NOT sweating. I forced myself to drink 1 (and sometimes 2) bottles of water per stage. After having a number of friends who were working the match go down from dehydration, I'm glad I did. I also learned that shooting my classification at such an event is cool. Doing that and seeing old friends, and meeting new ones (especially from these Forums) is my favorite part of the time spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasOPM Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Shoot the match OR work the match. Trying to do both is a mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 As for what I learned... some was good some was bad.1. Good squad mates make shooting fun no matter what! I shot with a terrific group of people on squad 11. Some helped me out with gun issues while others just joked the entire time and made it very enjoyable. I'd squad with any of them again in a heart beat. I wonder which group I fit into. I really enjoyed meeting you and your Dad and shooting the match together. Regardless of what you think of your results from the match, you shot well and fast. I was inspired to try to keep up with you. I failed, but I was inspired. You shot Limited with Josh? What are the odds of that? You got to shoot with the only two shooters in both matches from the Kansas City area. lol Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boz1911 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I never got used to the zingers going over my head or attacking my body. Took a couple of good shots to the body. Thank goodness I've been able to switch to some Rudy's with considerable more eye protetction than I used to wear. I enjoyed meeting Benos members on both the squads I shot with. Bunch of great guys. I learned switching from optics to irons is a difficult task, for me anyway. I probably won't try that again. The most important thing I learned is that I do not have that 95-95% speed, it's either on or off for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audifn Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I learned that triple tapping targets can really hurt you, especially when you make up 2 alphas with a no shoot...on 4 separate occasions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 You still had a great showing Tanner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 You still had a great showing Tanner! +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Shoot the match OR work the match. Trying to do both is a mistake. A little off topic... A giant THANK YOU to you and your crew for all the work you guys put in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audifn Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 You still had a great showing Tanner! Thanks Bobby, next year will be better...lots of room to improve...110pts in penalties and a broken/ejected guide rod in the limited match and 3 jams, a broken mag release and a foot fault in the open match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 It's always fun to put faces to names and aliases here on the forum. That's probably my favorite part of the match. Me too. I was tickled when you and Boz came and found me....hated having to run off, but I was up first on the next stage. Each year (well, okay only two now) I've met a handful of folks from here for the first time and that alone made the trip worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I hope that next year there is a get together for the forum members. Heck even if it is just everyone getting together at one of the buffets or something. lol Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperman Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 A couple of other things I learned: Being hungry is a lot like being thirsty. By the time you notice it, it's too late. A mediocre shooter in L10 gets to the prize table a whole lot quicker than a mediocre shooter in Limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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