The last post about the Ceremonies took me the better part of this evening
to put together, but I couldn't turn in without at least touching on the
wonderful practice I had today, and the awesome experience of our "venue
familiarization."

We warmed up and shot for a few hours on the qualifying field, the same as
the last few days--we've practically become old hat at it now. I pulled out
my backup bow and alternated shooting, focusing on relaxing the injured
muscles in my forearm, pushing alignment, and loading the back. I also took
into account some of the advice my Dad gave me, about really deciding to
make the shot. And lo and behold, my shots improved exponentially. Despite
the soreness, I was grinning like a kindergartner with a gold star. My
enthusiasm was dampened a little by the tedious Equipment Inspections, but
lifted again to almost astronomical proportions when we finally got to take
our gear and troop into "Court A," the finals stadium. We were only allowed
25 minutes on both courts, and we took full advantage of every second,
soaking in the venue.

I am so glad now that I watched so many of the Olympic archery matches
online, so I was already familiar with the venue. Also, when I get the time
I like to sit down and do a full visualization meditation--putting myself
into that stadium, in many different elimination round situations. So even
though it was surreal to finally set foot in such an imposing location, it
was also no cause for alarm. I felt thrilled--but comfortable. Awed but
pleased. In my last post I talked about how the Opening Ceremonies was like
a gift for working so hard the last four years. Being granted the honor of
entering this stadium didn't feel like a gift--it felt like something I had
earned, shot by shot, tournament by tournament. I had earned the right to be
there. It was a very unique feeling, and I'm proud to say that as incredible
as it was to be able to shoot in the Finals stadium, I wasn't overwhelmed by
it.

Another thing that totally made my day was learning that we'll be starting
off our matches with four ends of three arrows each! This is big news to me,
since I'd been trying very hard to prepare for the two ends of six that I'd
been facing up until now. (Some background here... an "end" is what we call
it when we go up to the line and shoot a single batch of arrows, usually of
three or six depending on the situation.) So why do I care that the format
has changed? Why not just shoot two quick batches and let the match be
decided? Well, to be honest I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE shooting the
slightly longer matches of four ends of three arrows. And I kind of sort of
secretly hate the shorter matches of two ends of six. You see, I learned to
be competitive back when we had the longer matches. It allows you to have a
rough start and pick up momentum, really sweep the event. I used to love
doing that--I probably could have been called the Comeback Queen, I loved it
so much. Have a so-so beginning and then really crank it all down and
deliver the goods. On a golden platter.

A few years back they changed it to make tournaments move a little faster,
and I've had a hard time adjusting. It's just not as much fun to shoot the
wham-bam matches, where they finish almost as soon as they've started.
There's ZERO room for error, which I don't really like. I like being able to
be sloppy if the day calls for it, then turning around and competing in the
most amazing way. I love that. The new shorter matches, I have never loved
at all. It all seems left up to chance--who is on their game NOW, for these
fifteen mintues? Who is off the next? No momentum. Ugh.

So... I have no idea why they have decided to do four ends of three arrows,
but I am SO AMAZINGLY HAPPY! I feel as if the Universe decided to give me a
treat after putting up with the arm injury and the rib pain like such a good
sport. I still hurt, and I don't think that is likely to change much in the
next few days without a minor miracle, but now I am ready. I am so ready I
am grinning in anticipation as I type this. I am prepared. I am shooting
well, with equipment in good working order. I am doubly familiar with the
field of play. I even have a day off tomorrow to go distract myself a bit
with some spectating of my own (just picked up some tickets for Swimming,
Women's Basketball, and Athletics, woo hoo!)

In short, I am SO READY for this. Tuesday's qualifying round, here I come.
Wednesday's matchplay, you better watch yourself. ;)


(PS, I have videos aplenty that I'm trying to upload to YouTube, but
it's a slow process. Coming soon, I promise!)