The last blog post laid out what the match was, but that is for context.
Let’s get into the real Purpose for this. When I first heard about The Proving Grounds, my reaction was oh yay another fitness based competition. Sarah assured me it was going to be different and laid it out.
I have no problem with fitness focused competitions and enjoy observing them. In fact, I encourage it. But, if you are going to include Gun Slinging, the shooting needs to be weighted just as hard as the fitness.
The easy way to lay this out is the scoring should have the effect that a outstanding shooter with low fitness should end up midpack. Conversely, the athlete with outstanding fitness but low shooting ability should finish mid pack.
This is exactly what TPG has accomplished. If you remember the last blog, when fitness wasn’t a factor I was winning stages. When fitness played a part, I finished at the bottom of the squad and finished midpack.
The fitness portion of the stage is also realistic enough that you can see the value in what you are doing. You are not just getting smoked before you shoot a gun or using gym equipment outside.
I will close by saying that I have worked out exactly 8 times since December of 2017. I do a terrible Murph every year and most years a five K for a good cause. I was able to complete the event but it was slow and ugly. I won’t say of I can do it you can do it, but there is no reason to fear it.
I even managed to have fun.
The back to back matches from The Proving Grounds and Quantified Performance let me shoot my firearms from 5 yards to 1004 yards in one weekend, with the same rifle. You don’t get to do that often.
The next one is at Arena Training Facility on June 3-4.
Check both websites at
www.theprovinggroundscompetition.com
www.quantifiedperformance.com
