Today I tied my personal best score in archery at 18 metres (20 yards) on a 3 spot Vegas target. I scored a 289 for the 4th time. 290 has been elusive.

My one bad shot was way off. I punched the trigger rather than using back tension to release the arrow. That’s all it takes at this point, one off shot and I don’t break my record. Also, 5 of my 9’s were on my third target. That’s worth noting. But it wasn’t one shot that was my problem, it was my headspace. I had just scored a 287 before this. Then after 4 ends, with two 30’s and two 29’s, I knew that I was ahead of getting 290. I let that get in my head.

I put a lot of pressure on myself and I didn’t perform to the level I could. It wasn’t the one 8, it wasn’t the five 9’s on my third arrow, it was the head games I put myself through when I thought I could beat my record.

This is a part of my sport I need to get better at… reducing the self-imposed pressure and thinking more about just one thing… the shot I’m taking.

290 is in reach, but it need to get there one arrow at a time. More focus on what I’m doing, and less focus on the score.