Last weekend I was offered a chance to try my hand at archery and in the spirit of the commonwealth games I jumped at the chance to give a go. The only archery I had ever seen was either in cartoons or when watching Robin Hood so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had the impression that maybe there would be a nice round target in a very, very big field, after all would you want to stand anywhere near a complete beginner 🙂
We arrived at a secluded wooded area and there were no colourful targets in sight! Instead there were large plastic bottles on sticks which we were to try and hit. But having watched my friends have a go the competitor in me took over and I was determined to give it my very best.
I shot the first arrow, it was not as easy as I had imagined but I was not going to let it get the better of me. I listened to the advice and my shots were getting closer to hitting the bottle. I just could not find the strength to pull the bow back far enough to match my more experienced friends, but I was improving.
Then finally I hit the bottle, the bottle moved on the stick and the arrow hit the ground behind it 🙂 I was over the moon and really pleased with my efforts, it was such good fun to try a new sport and though all you field archers out there won’t have any serious competition from me any time soon it is something that I would love to try again.
So though I wont be in Glasgow for the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games today I will be there in spirit. I believe that the opening ceremony at 2100 BST is expected to be fabulous so I will have to catch it on the BBC website when I get home. I hope that the games are a great success and that the competitors enjoy the experience and my new home City. Good luck to everyone involved 🙂
Here is a link to a little test that the BBC have put on their website to see what Commonwealth Games sport may suit you 🙂 Why not give it a go and let me know what it suggests. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28062001