V

If I don't get a slot for the IPSC World Shoot this year, I think I am done with shooting competitively. Why?

There are many reasons but there are a few that really seem to make sense. One, I'm just tired and disinterested in something I've already done for 7 years. Switching divisions doesn't switch the game, money or time component. It's just playing Monopoly with the iron instead of the dog. The travel for matches is no longer exciting. The amount one has to train each day to be a good Master on the national level is beyond what I want to do anymore. Everything about it is less interesting to me now. (But going to an international match to represent the USA in competition would totally change that dynamic. But just to shoot locals? Eh.... don't care.)

Secondly, competitive shooting after a while and certain skill level doesn't give you much back in return. The act of shooting itself doesn't make you more physically fit. Or smarter. Your skill with a firearm should definitely improve but now I'm better than 95% of the gun owners out there when it comes to shooting a pistol. To get to 95% against national competition would take hours of practice a day right now and I don't want to. You make no money shooting. You don't receive sponsorship of merit. You're not on TV or in the Olympics. You gain skill and proficiency with a firearm and that's it. It didn't take me 7 years of competition to get there, more like 2. It hasn't added any capital V value to my life.

Third, you spend a crap load of money doing it. I was spending on average $20,000 a year to compete. I think I want that money back each year.

Fourth, my eyesight has really diminished in the past year and it is a vital ability needed to excel at the sport. I've slipped from someone who is a hot shot to someone who used to be good and much of that is my eye sight.

Fifth, I'm not ga-ga over guns generally. I like them but I'm totally fine with a sporting rifle, a hunting rifle, a shotgun and 3 or 4 pistols. At one time I owned over 20 firearms. And gear and accessories for all of them. You know how the things you own end up owning you? That was happening!

IPSC Worlds would be my last hurrah to the sport. I would totally devote to it for the next 6 months, compete at the world level and then walk away satisfied. But without that carrot it just feels like so much stick.

I'd rather motorcycle more, travel more, do more models, read more, brazilian jiu jitsu more, work part time more. Just about anything rather than be so all consumed about my performance and matches and preparation for competitive shooting.