TRAINING LEAD-UP
Tuesday, Dec 2:
Rucked 5.5 miles in 1:17:19 in the Rucker v3 shorty in Salomon X-missions. It was a hard but not all-out effort, to get in some decent faster ruck training for GBF Op Shooter without doing too much before TPG Championships. I nose breathed the whole time to keep my pace under control.
Wednesday, Dec 3:
Went out to McAdenville aka Christmas Town USA, to see that neighborhood's lights with my mom. It was abnormally warm, so it didn't feel as much like Christmas but it made being outside more comfortable than usual. There have been some really cold walks out there in the past.
Thursday, Dec 4:
Glute and pec PT v1 in 29:54, then 18A "Lower Body Prep" in 17:02, followed by a 30 min HIIT & Hills Peloton ride with Olivia Amato with 274kJ, 9.48 mi, 312 cal, 152 ave Watts, 77rpm ave, 46% ave resistance, 19mph ave speed. I couldn't keep up with this one.
TPG CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
This was the second time that The Proving Grounds was hosting a "championship" event. The first time was last year. They ran a 2-day event again, which is a good test of endurance and mental focus, and it gets in more stages to test consistency. There would be 4 stages on day 1 and 4 more on day 2. Different squads would encounter a different 4 each day.
There were 3 females competing at this match. One was an RO who ran the previous day (maybe the most fun RO I've ever encountered, who I first met at Stage 6 at last year's finale), and the other 2 of us were squadded together.
DAY 1...
Stage 6: (420 par)
- Start standing with rifle against the tree, all guns empty
- Climb the rope 2x, touching the top tree limb each time (60s penalty per failed climb)
- Go between the orange trees and shoot 6 pistol targets L0>R with 1 hit each, then unload and holster
- From a diagonal log on the ground, shoot 5 rifle white targets with 1 hit each
- Drop your mag and shoot 1 attempt at the red HVT
- From the tree stump ahead, repeat the 5 rifle steel L->R 2x through
- Move up while still hot but on safe to the downed log and shoot 3 rifle steel on the near shore L->R 2x through, then clear
- Run back to the horizontal log up the hill and shoot the stop plate with pistol
Learnings/Outcomes: 17/64 O, 1/3 Div
- The rope climb was not easy but not hard
- My pistol wasn't bad
- I was calm moving from the pistol spot to the rifle spot, letting my HR stay under control
- I spent way too many rounds from the first rifle position, about a mag, leaving only about half a mag left for 2 more shooting positions
- I had thought that my 2 full mags that I brought would be overkill, since I had cleaned these targets at the gun run.
- I should've been able to figure out that I was missing high, since low misses would've caused water splashes, and I did see dirt splashing behind the targets high left sometimes
- Every shot counts, especially when you're running out of ammo
- I had a FTE penalty from not having enough ammo for my last target
- I should've built a better body position from the slanted log, vs an expedient and more mobile one
- Shooting from the bottom notch of the slanted log wasn't good... I later found a better spot up higher, hanging the left edge of my left palm against a notch
- Some parts of the slanted log had vegetation obscuring the targets
- I started on 3.5x power but later changed to 6x, and that made the targets much easier to see.
- I should've grabbed an ejected round from the last spot, since that was the ending position and there would've been some there... would've been worth the time, vs the 30s penalty for FTE
- I wonder how much me changing ammo to Federal XM193 55gr vs what I zeroed with (IMI 55gr) was a factor in my misses
- I was so stressed during this stage, from knowing how low I was on ammo
- At least I made my last pistol shot in one try
Stage 7: (420 par)
- Start mag in bolt forward empty chamber with rifle staged against the stool, empty pistol
- Run to the flags and back with a half cinder block chained to your waist
- Shoot 7 rifle steel with 1 hit each, 2x through
> For each miss, run to the flags and back for 3 max runs per array. Rifle can be left behind on safe
- Load pistol and shoot 5 targets L->R 2x through, no penalties for misses
Learnings/Outcomes: 9/64 O, 1/3 Div
- I put my arm into the cinder block for the mandatory run to save my grip strength
- I cleaned rifle with my 1/3 low hold for these 111yd targets
- Pistol wasn't bad, as long as I did the slow squeeze back. I maybe missed half of the time, but they were far targets
- I put the pint-sized GC on the cinder block and shot standing for a less awkward height shooting position. The guy before me did the same, but I was going to do this anyways, having used this technique before at matches
- I intentionally went slow on the last 1/4 of the mandatory run that everybody started with to lower my HR
- I used 18 rounds of pistol
- It was nice to start with a bigger IPSC-sized rifle target to confirm my hold before moving onto the smaller square
- I had one malfunction on rifle with a failure to fire, but it was easy to clear
- I forgot at first if I had chambered a rifle round, so I pulled back the CH to check... I had... but better to check than to waste time on a click and no bang after getting a good sight picture and having to fix it later
- I stayed with 6x magnification and was happy... no issues with target acquisition
- I took my time shooting, since even using up 20s would be worth it vs doing a run and having extra fatigue plus a higher HR
- I saw many others spiral after going too fast
Stage 8: (420s par)
- Start sitting in the passenger back seat of a pickup with hands together to mimic being ziptied
- On the beep, get out of the truck and grab and don your kit from the back of the truck
- Run to the sawhorse and shoot the steel in the woodline at 6 targets L->R from 2 different positions (top, chain, or lower shelf) for 2x through total, then clear and either ground or sling your rifle
- Shoot 6 pistol steel L->R 2x through
Learnings/Outcomes: 45/64 O, 2/3 Div
- My left ear bud came out when I was donning the PC... I didn't see it initially... not good news since I don't want to blast out my ears. I finished putting on my PC and let the earbud naturally fall on the floor from wherever it was hiding and grabbed it, but that ate up time.
- Running up to the sawhorse, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to sling the rifle or not and did both... I ended up putting it on then removing it again, since after shooting rifle, we could ground it
- I didn't bother to clip in my holster leg strap or PC cummerbund, since the run was short
- I used my pint-sized GC again since the run to the sawhorse wasn't far
- I cleaned the rifle portion
- I skipped after a miss on the skinny pistol target each time... it was the same width as a t-post and was far away
Stage 1: (420s par)
- Start empty at the stick
- Run to the right barrel and shoot the KYL with rifle with 1 hit each
- Run to the left barrel and shoot the static steel with 1 hit
- Repeat the KYL from the right barrel
- Repeat the static steel from the left barrel, then clear rifle
- Pick up the missile and bring it downranage
- Drop the missile at the pistol box and shoot 4 card suits L->R 2x through,
- Spin the spinner with pistol, clear and holster
- Run with the missile back to the barrel
- Load and shoot the stop plate with pistol
Learnings/Outcomes: 40/64 O, 1/3 Div
- I used 2 mags plus 12 rounds of pistol but still had 2 fresh mags in case
- I took way to many shots on the spinner and had to do a midway mag change despite having done a preemptive mag change before starting the spinner
- There was a water bottle on the right barrel that kept moving closer to my barrel with each shot, which distracted me, since I didn't want to shoot it when it was so close
- I probably should've been holding low on the KYL based on its distance, and maybe even on the giant static steel at times, since it was at about 50yd, but it was OK
- As expected, I had to fight the small KYL target a bit... I was shooting at the very bottom of it at first but probably should've aimed more center earlier, since the target was about as wide as the bar holding it
- 6x magnification was still good
- I used 28R so never needed a mag change, and I still had 2 fresh mags after being paranoid about running out of ammo after my first stage of the day
- I missed some easy KYL shots and even the giant static steel due to rushing
- I need to be better about pulling the slack out of the rifle trigger instead of slapping
- The pistol card suits weren't terrible, since they were closer
- The missile was unexpectedly heavy, and I had to single-shoulder it with some effort, using the barrel to. help me on the way out and just squatting to pick it up on the way back. Getting it onto both shoulders would've been tough to do
- Retaining 3 pistol mags took time... I should've opened up my dump pouch before the stage
- I had an ok start on the spinner but then completely missed a lot during the middle and lost momentum, especially during the mag change, so I essentially had to start over. Maybe this was because of my high HR from the missile?
I splurged for this event and got a hotel room nearby. We finished really early (impressive efficiency), so I had a long time to relax. At first, I wasn't sure how I'd spend 10 hours in the hotel, but it went by quickly.
I finished reading "Send Me" by Marty Skovlund & Joe Kent.
DAY 2...
Stage 2: (420s par)
- Start with an empty pistol, rifle at low ready with mag in bolt forward empty chamber
- From the wooden Xmas tree barricade, shoot 4 rifle L->R 2x through
- Drop the mag and s hoot the HVT with 1 attempt
- Sling the rifle and grab 1 jug for women or 2 for men and run it to the pistol box
- Shoot 4 pistol steel L->R 2x through, then drop mag and shoot the HVT with 1 attempt
- Bring jug back
- Repeat rifle COF
- Repeat pistol COF
- On return to the tree, load and shoot a pistol stop plate
Learnings/Outcomes: 24/64 O, 2/3 Div
- I used 2 pistol mags minus 1 round
- I missed rifle 1x, so I was nearly clean
- I hit the 1st pistol HVT somehow (it was hard because it was a far card suit, so I was thrilled to hit it), but I missed on the second go-around
- I started carrying 2 jugs at first for about 5m before I realized the RO was telling me to leave one behind
- The tree wasn't a terrible barricade... it had some wobble, but if you were light on it and didn't pull or push into it, it was ok
- The fog was fine even though this was the first stage of the day... the targets were visible by eye without any issues
- The rifle targets were big
- My right hand got cold from carrying the wet cold jug, which affected my pistol shooting on the second go-around, I think
- I was first to go today after bumping down 1 person each stage. I'm glad I had all night to reset my gear and prepare mentally for the day
- I tarted with a fresh rifle mag on the second go-around instead of picking up the old one from the ground, since we were allowed to drop stuff at our ending spot (which was also our starting spot)
- I brought 5 mags of pistol and 5 mags of rifle out of paranoia
- I should've used my left hand to carry the jug more, in retrospect, to help minimize cold and grip usage on my right hand, but the right hand felt more natural, based on where my rifle was slung
- I picked a higher tree branch for a more natural stance and more mobility... it might've also benefitted me since it's closer to the center of mass of the tree for less wobble left and right
- I was still on 6x, which was good
- I learned from watching others that cans can compound smoke/fog issues
Stage 3: (420s par)
- Start standing with both hands on the cart anywhere, with guns empty and slung
- Pull the cart to the pink flags
- Go down into the creek and shoot pistol L->R 2x through at 5 targets
- Climb out of the creek and into the back seat of the car and load rifle
- Shoot 5 targets N->F down the lane (330yd for the farthest), then 2 targets on the right side
- Repeat, then clear rifle
- Go back down and out of the creek and push the cart back
Learnings/Outcomes: 48/64 O, 2/3 Div
- I used 20R and 1 mag P
- I got off track with the cart on the way back and had to actually reverse and re-steer to get back on course
- I got a stuck-on-fire trigger malfunction, which fortunately got cleared when I opened my lower and got the hammer to go forward. It might've happened before the first shot? It would've been a big penalty had I not been able to clear it, but thanks to what happened at the RNG, I learned that I could work through it if it happened. I'm surprised I got this with my Federal XM193, though... I had thought that it was an IMI issue. Unless a primer was still stuck in there from 2 matches ago? Seems unlikely.
- My feet got unavoidably wet going through the creek
- My muzzle was close to the ground when I was pushing the cart back to the start, based on how it ended up hanging, which was a little unnerving, since I don't want mud getting in the barrel
- I had my dump pouch prepped to make mag retention easier
- I did better than I expected on the small pistol targets
- I went last, so I saw that the other female was able to do it, which boosted my confidence
- Which way you push the cart to t urn it was a little counter-intuitive, but I should've known better based on physics and all... one doesn't always think rationally during difficult physical tasks, though
- My MACV2s would've kept my feet drier, but I probably got better grip using Altra Lone Peaks, so that's what I kept on
Stage 4: (420s par)
- Start with empty everything, with the sled behind the flags
- Pull the sled to the platform
- Shoot pistol from the lower platform at 8 targets L->R 2x through, then unload
- Go to the upper platform and shoot 8 rifle targets L->R 2x through (about 150yd for the farthest one), then clear
- Bring the sled back to the start
- Run back to the platform without the sled and shoot pistol at any pistol steel to stop the time
Learnings/Outcomes: 43/64 O, 2/3 Div
- Shot 20R, 26P
- Decided not to bring the GC, since there was a good amount of running, and the rifle targets were pretty close and large
- My pistol was decent, and the targets weren't terribly far
- I took 3 tries to hit the stop plate
- I used the 2-handed behind-the-back drag technique on the sled to not smoke a single hand or create an imbalance
- The sled was light
- Running with a plate carrier and rifle on uneven terrain is surprisingly tiring
- I hooked the sled rope around the front rail on my run up to avoid having to squat down to retrieve it later, which worked out well
Stage 5: (420s par)
- Start with a hand on the barricade, with rifle mag in bolt forward empty chamber, slung, and empty pistol
- Go to the tire and flip it from the start to being in-line with the barricade
- Shoot 11 rounds from anywhere on the VTAC while on the wobble board at any target, but by the end of the stage, all 10 targets must be hit 2x each, with 90yds for the closest target and 250yd for the farthest
- Flip the tire until the first flag for women, 2nd for men, 3rd for elite
- Run to the pistol box and use infinite rounds to hit anything leftover until everything's been hit 2x ea
- Flip the tire back to the start
- Return to the wobble board and shoot the stop plate with pistol
Learnings/Outcomes: 20/64 O, 1/3 Div
- I reloaded pistol 2x... not terrible, considering the distance... I made good use of my chevron
- I forgot at first that I wanted to sit on the wobble board fully on my butt, but I figured it out quicly
- My holds worked, and I got 11/11 on rifle
- I shot my extra round on the far left "pistol" target, since it was a sideways person silhouette and seemed like the smaller/harder shape
- I pushed the effort hard on the tire flip back, thinking that was all I had left, since I forgot I still had thte stop plate afterwards, but the RO reminded me
- On pistol, I went easiest->hardest, in case I ran out of either time or ammo
- I used the low rectangle IPSC-shaped port for rifle, since it was tall, and I could fit a GC plus the rifle. I could get low and take advantage of my smaller height here
- I reset my arms 2-3x during the long distance pistol shoot, to rest after all that arm extension... even those few seconds helped me recover, along with breathing out
- I. used 2x17 + 2 rounds of pistol
- I was pretty proud of my clean rifle and decent long distance pistol shooting
Overall 30/64 Overall, 1/3 Division
- The other female (Hannah) was super nice and encouraging, despite being competition
- She soaked in info from others, since she's relatively new to comps and to rifle shooting
- I'm proud of how I managed malfunctions, though I'm still puzzled by whether the popped primer really came from the Federal XM193, which would indicate that it could be a gun issue, not an ammo issue... I keep my guns pretty clean...
- I shot decent pistol and good rifle
- I did have that odd holding situation on stage 6 though... still haven't figured that one out
- I became super conservative about the amount of ammo I brought, after what happened on stage 6
- I liked the use of the GC
- This was my first physical comp with the Wilder Tactical minimalist belt, and it did well... the belt still get twisted despite having the leg strap on one stage, though, and I did have one mag fall out during the tire flip... need bungees to ensure retention
- I should keep the dump pouch open at matches where we need to retain mags
- 6x power was great... stay on it for everything except close CQB-distance targets
- It was cold this weekend, but I strategically used the Zippo hand warmer (since its battery doesn't lastl that long) and my Coletac hand huts
- The squad was cool
- I liked my little camping chair and the wagon for hauling stuff and the FitAid to drink
- We tore through these stages very quickly (day 2 was less quick due to some squads needing a fog delay, but still)
- Good HR management... slow is smooth and smooth is fast
- I used a trash bag to cover my equipment when there was misting fog
- I still need to be more careful about not knocking out my earbuds when putting on my plate carrier... maybe use over-ear pro for those stages in the future?
Gave both guns a good cleaning afterwards, to prevent rust. I found a primer near my trigger... who knows whether that was from this ammo or ammo from 2 matches ago...
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