Lift. Shoot. Write. Indian Summer At The Range

It’s been a while since I’ve done a training post — and some things have changed that are worth talking about.

Here in Central Oregon we had an abrupt shift to autumn conditions, which has included several days of fine Scottish weather that made me break out O, The Dreadful Wind and Rain. Saturday, however, delivered about as perfect an Indian Summer day as a Frontier Partisan could hope for. I hied it out to the range fairly early, before the inevitable influx of yahoos that any fine Saturday brings out.

The battery was the CZ 452 and the CZ 457 and the S&W 617 — all .22 LR, for I intended to be out for hours and to burn 300 rounds. The course:

Rifle (iron sights only) — mix of 4.5″ steel and 4.5″ clay targets:

• 125-yards down to 75 yards off a bag (3-inch steel at 75)

• 60 yards off-hand/kneeling

• 25-yard ready-ups (with movement)

Revolver:

3; 7; 15 yards — 4.5″ clays

Since I turned 60 last year, I have modified the workout side of the FP Biathlon. I am being especially mindful of my joints, particularly the shoulders. A physical therapist friend of mine told me something that really stuck in my head:

“If people would take 15-20 minutes to do a thorough warm-up before any physical activity, I probably wouldn’t have a job.”

I’ve been particularly observant of this principle for a couple of years now, because I have a tendency to be impatient and want to get right after it.

The actual work now emphasizes more carries — kettlebell farmer carries and sandbag carries — and sandbag over-the-shoulders (100# and 60#). I have reduced the volume of straight pressing and pulling exercises. It’s not a radical shift, but it’s significant. And I have found that not only have I not lost muscle and strength, I have more capacity, particularly in the core. Carries are where it’s at. I’ve also been doing a lot of sled pulls.

I reduced the number of hard workouts to two a week — down from three or sometimes four — and that has improved recovery and actually improved the workouts themselves. I’ve added in a lot more moderate, Zone 2 cardio work into the mix.

The most important aspect of my training is the impact on the inner man, so it’s important that I am active every day — but moderating the intensity level is necessary, and seems to actually be beneficial. I haven’t weighed myself in a long time, but I know that the front porch has been reduced, which gets harder to accomplish at this age.

I had a bit of a scare earlier this year with some “lightning flashes” at the corner of my right (shooting) eye. Got checked out and it’s a routine phenomenon of aging — a vitreous (eyeball gel) tear. I have no floaters and there was no retinal tear, which was a huge relief. I have a good friend who did have a retinal tear at the same time, and it ain’t nuthin’  you want for your shooting eye. My visual acuity in that eye, is 20/15, which was great to hear.

The episode was a stern reminder that this doesn’t last forever; the practice that brings me great satisfaction and is, in fact, a big part of my sense of myself, will not stay with me indefinitely. Which gives a real sense of intentionality to every session I am privileged to engage in.

I share this in the spirit of inspiration. I ain’t no Simon Kenton or Sam Brady. I am a good shot — well better than average —  but I am not an exceptional athlete. I’m just a regular guy with strong enthusiasms.

Nevertheless, through consistent — and pleasurable — effort, I remain a fit, strong man at 60, capable in areas that matter to me, that resonate with the history that underpins all my work. I have every prospect of staying that way for a while yet. That’s all I’m after.

I reckon many of the folks at this campfire are getting after it in similar fashion. If you are, keep after it. If you aren’t… get after it. The benefits are legion.

Lift. Shoot. Write.

*Saturday’s FP Biathlon soundtrack was Outlander Season 1 by Bear McCreary and The Deerslayer by Aspen Ridge+Hawken Horse.