Thursday, September 22, 2011

Assistive Technology Seminars

Hello all,

Today and tomorrow Motivation on Wheels will be doing seminars along with three other amazing professionals in the "Assistive Tech" field. Motivation on Wheels will be performing
"It's Just Duc -Tape" Seeing things from a whole new perspective; using it, whatever it may be to live a independent life.

Today the Team is at:
 "Industries"
Cambridge, MN
2p.m. - 3:30p.m.


Tomorrow the Team is at:
Isanti County Human Services Building
Open to the public
9:30a.m. - 12p.m.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Clarification of scores and what happened

Hello all,

     Some people are wondering why my math is so off, I could not for the life of me figure out what they were asking and why. They then said you had a score of 295 out of 360 at 50 meters and a score of 327 at 30 meter, which is total score of 622; so how did you get the total of 1218?

     Ahhhhh, I see, it is a two day competition an they take your first day total score (two distances, 70 and 60 meters) and then add them to your second day shooting (50 and 30 meters.) My first day total was a 592, my second day score was a 622. Yet that does not make a 1218 it makes 1214.

     Okay so I was excited to have the monkey off my back and I heard 1218 and it was actually 1214. I just checked my score card and it is correct, 1214 was/is my overall score. None the less you take both days and add them. Sorry about the miss-score type.

     Finally, at this time I do not have a slot on the US Team, I have earned the right to go shoot at the trials in April. April's shoot will bring in all the shooters going out for the US Paralympic Archery Team.  With that, there are many different classifications for shooting, I am in the Quad division AKA, the W1C division.

     Normally, there are 3 slots open for the U.S. in this division, however, due to how they awarded slots for the countries the U.S. has two (2) slots open for the W1C division. In short, any shooter who has shot a qualifying score in the last two years (US Shooter only) can go to the trials in April and try for one of the two slots awarded to the U.S. W1C Team.

     I am very confident and excited abut the trials, so stay tuned to the blog for updates on training, scores and events, not only for shooting but also for Motivation On Wheels.

     Again thank you all for your wishes, prayers and good positive thinking sent my way, every bit helps. I am getting home late tonight and looking forward to being back at work in the A.M. — did I say that?


Always Sitting Always in Motion

Aaron

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Pacific Coast Championship Update Take II

Hello friends & Unbelievable supporters,

          Well the final results are in, and I won't keep you in suspense as I personally have no desire to do so.  It is official, I am on my way to the 2012 US Paralympic Archery Trials at the Olympic Training Center in  Chula Vista, CA April 25th — 28th, 2012.

          50 meters, I shot a 295 out of 360 points, not my best score but certainly not my worse. At the start of 30 meters I needed a 263 or better to make the MSQ Master Qualifying Score of 1150. At the end of 30 meters, my score was 1218, I shot a 327 at 30 meters again not my best, but more then enough to qualify me to try out for the 2012 US Paralympic Archery Team in April.

          Thank you to all my financial supporters and to all my friends and family members that have made this part of my journey come true.

          It's amazing what you can do when you have incredible support and unreal friends and family. Thank you again. Stay tune for all the upcoming training and blogs.

Always Sitting Always in Motion

Aaron Cross

Pacific Coast Championship Update

Hello Everyone!

         Okay, so yesterday was mildly tough, but that is okay, I am still very much in the game. I had some mild issues (my brain got in the way) at 70 meters; which is frustrating as 70 meters is the distance we shoot at for trails, and the Paralympics.

         Note: 70 meters is 3/4s of the length of a football field, 75.6 yards or 229 feet.

         It was a beautiful day and the problem with archery is one minor glitch in your anchor (where the string touches your face and you settle in to aim and shoot) you can send a arrow "DFC" (don't ask) or out into a lower scoring ring; which I did. Now it happens once, you just forget it and move on. Twice however, you need to stop and take inventory, I didn't not three ends later; as my stepdad would say "BUTT—HEAD."

        Somehow, I was still able to pull out a fair score 287 out of 360; not where I want to be, but certainly not out of the game. (70 meter score 287.) My second distance, 60 meters, was better but not enough to raise my overall score much. My 60 meter score was 305 out of 360; fair but nothing to try and stand and walk for. :-) Total score yesterday for two distances 592.

        Today is the shorter distance and the final day, we start off on 50 meters and then to 30 meters. I will post the results as soon as I can.

        As I sit here at 5:18 a.m. writing this blog I remembered, I am not here to shatter any records, although that would have been nice; I am here to shoot my qualifying score to be able to go shoot in April and earn my slot for the 2012 US Paralympic Archery Team.

        Yesterday, I broke a "cardinal rule" of shooting, I focused on the score and I was trying to figure out why I was shooting poorly (in my eyes.) What I should have done is trust my instincts, change arrows, and stay focused on my shot and continued to have fun.

        Today's goal, trust my training, trust my shot, and feel the perfect shot every time.

        Thank you all for your support, it means the world to me. I also want to send out a great special thanks to the following; as if it had not been for them, I would not have made it hear this weekend.

Aspen Seating — Ride Design
Mike's Archery Center
Mike's Archery Center League Shooters
My family: My dad Tom who took time off from work this week to come with, in order to assist me; so all I had to do was shoot.
The Youngdahl family (Todd and Kristi, and their 3 distractions)
My friend Carisa who picked up my slack with the Assistive Tech Team Performance Team

          Yesterday, I sat out on line and for the first time in almost 8 years I remembered why I loved this sport, there are a lot of wonderful people and one thing is for sure, no matter what happens, I am going to enjoy this journey.

          Results later today.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Schedule of events for Pac Coast Champs 9/15 — 16th

I woke up today after sleeping for almost 13.5 straight hours, WOW, I am ready to tackle the day. Today is a recovery day from traveling along with UNOFFICIAL practice. The range/shoot is at DIscovery Park 5 miles form the hotel and is absolutely beautiful (have shot there before.)

Official Practice is tomorrow morning 8 - 8:45
Scoring @ 9 a.m. first long distance 70 meters
Scoring @ 1 p.m. second long distance 60 meters
Same times on Sunday, but shorter distances 50 meters first then 30 meters. I will need to shoot a score of 1150 or better to be able to try out for the 2012 team in April.

Note: Go into each shoot not looking at score, but looking to shoot your perfect shot over and over. When you focus on that, you are in-tune with what you are suppose to be doing.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Speaking At Dakota County Technical College

Aaron Cross will be speaking this morning, September 14th, 2011 at the Dakota County Technical College in Rosmount, MN @ 11 a.m. in the Dakota Room.

"I just can not wait to get on stage; I love what I do and I do what I love."

Aaron will be performing his award winning motivational presentation "FOCUS on Your Target."

http://www.dctc.edu/contact-us/visit-locations.cfm