10/17 Moto Monday

Coach Leslie running into this week like... □- @recon_ro

Tactical Games National Championships 

I have qualified for the brand new women's masters division of The Tactical Games National Championships. I will be competing near Austin, Texas November 4-6! 
I started competing in The Tactical Games (TTG) this year and so far have completed three competitive events. It was my third TTG event, in Oregon in July, when I competed in the elite division where I earned my spot into the new women's masters division. 

Going over the 8 foot wall at the Oregon Tactical Games. □- @recon_ro

The official Tactical Games mission is to test the skills and readiness of tactical athletes from all backgrounds. You don't have to have any military or law enforcement to compete. In fact, one of my Tactical Games buddies, who was also my judge in Utah, is a stay at home mom of 2. 
I was drawn to the Tactical Games for several reasons: 

1. I LOVE competition! I love what I learn about myself. I love how it reveals to me who I am at moments when it matters, when things get hard. And in TTG competitions things get hard. 
2. I love having a physical goal to train for. I like having something out there that I can get motivated about and give focus to my training. 
3.  I love to travel and meet new and interesting people. 

Moving the 100lb sandbag at the Montana Sniper Challenge. □- @recon_ro

Typical TTG are two-day events with 3 "battles" each day and a floater workout. One floater is physical and one is a test of shooting speed and accuracy. For the past 3 TTG competitions I kept to my regular 5 day training schedule of CrossFit Mon, Tue, Wed & Saturday, rest days on Thursday and Sunday and rucking about 2 miles 3-4 times a week with Nanook. I also shoot at least once a week. 
The National Championships are 3 days of competition with 3 battles each day and at least one long event and 2 floaters. I already know the long event will be a run or ruck of at least 3 miles but probably longer. 
Training for the National Championships is much more intense! For the past 3 months I have been keeping to my regular training schedule and have been increasing my training volume, meaning I'm adding in some double day workouts. Since I know I'll be doing 9 workouts over three days of competition I needed to start getting my body ready to handle that much physical activity. I started this gradually by adding in 1 additional workout each week. For example, last week I completed 11 workouts over my regular 5 days of training. Some workouts are long and some are short, I am training time domains similar to what will be tested at the games. 

Climbing the 12 foot wall at the Oregon Tactical Games. □- @recon_ro

This week my training will shift so that I complete three cycles of 3 days on and 1 day off before I start my taper week. I will complete 9 workouts over each 3 day block. My focus will be on volume AND recovery. I'm relying heavily on my Whoop to help guide my sleep and recovery. I will be drinking much more water and focusing on lean protein and complex carbohydrates from real whole foods to aid my recovery. 
I have also increased my shooting practice. I shoot live fire (with bullets) at the range 2 days per week and up until last week I have been shooting dry fire (no bullets) training at the gym once a week. For the next three weeks I will be shooting live fire twice a week and dry fire training every day.
I would like to shoot more live fire but bullets are expensive! I have a laser dry fire system that I use at the gym and it's a very cost effective way to practice. I just make sure all the gym doors are closed and locked so no one drives by and sees me aiming in on them! Safety third:) 

Having fun at the Montana Sniper Challenge. □- @recon_ro

One of my values is staying capable and relevant as I age. In one week I will turn 51 years old. I will not go gentle into that good night. I will rage against the dying of the light! I have confidence that if my family, my friends or my community needed my help or protection I can be there for them. If there is ever a disaster in my community I want to be one of the helpers, one of the rescuers, not one of the victims. Staying strong physically, mentally and spiritually is essential to staying engaged in life. 
I hope you're inspired to compete in something this year. Share with me in the comments what you have set your sights upon in 2023! 

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