http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/index.htmlHot News!enuser@domain.comCopyright 2011 Jennifer McIntosh2013-03-15T13:40:10+00:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:55:37 +0000user@domain.comBlog2013-03-15T13:40:10+00:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ae597007ca467066e59665ea2573d36f-21.html#unique-entry-id-21http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ae597007ca467066e59665ea2573d36f-21.html#unique-entry-id-21
Things are going well. Slowly getting back into the swing of things after a long break. I didn’t really do a whole lot until about December 2012/January 2013 so given that I’ve only really got a couple months training under my belt, I think things are going pretty well.

In other news, I got engaged in October to my amazing boyfriend Andrew. He’s been absolutely fantastic in supporting me with my shooting over the last few years and I just want to say a massive thank you to him for that. We’re hoping to get married at the end of 2014, after Commonwealth Games and World Championships are all done and dusted.

I also have to let you all know that my sister is making a bit of a name for herself in Scottish shooting. She came 3rd at the Scottish 10m Championships last weekend (2nd in the confined) and shot two 385s back to back! And she’s only been shooting for maybe six months and probably shot less than ten matches! Just want to say how proud I am of her and I can’t wait to see more from her in the next few years!

Well... that’s all folks! :D]]>user@domain.comBlog2012-08-05T14:38:51+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/1510adc0f68b8e24c4fd710f591c685e-20.html#unique-entry-id-20http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/1510adc0f68b8e24c4fd710f591c685e-20.html#unique-entry-id-20
570 ex600, finishing 42nd... at least I wasn’t dead last.

To be fair to myself, I fought tooth and nail for every point of that match.  I had to dig really deep yesterday... I’ve never felt so drained during a match in my life.  I don’t really feel that the score reflects the performance I put in. But my parents didn’t raise a quitter and that’s something I can be proud of.

I said to my Dad before the start of my match, that so long as I could look back at that match in twenty years time and have no regrets about it, I would be happy... and I think I managed that.

Here’s the thing... I’m only twenty-one and this is my first Olympics.  I only shot my first ever 3x20 match in the summer of 2008.  None of those facts excuse the fact that I shot fifteen points below my PB yesterday... but they do go some way as to explaining why it was a bit below average.  Yesterday’s performance was mostly down to lack of experience.  I got nervous — and my shooting suffered (a fact that I find quite ironic given my feelings from my air rifle match).

But again, I feel the need to clarify something.  A journalist asked me, in the lead up to these Games, if I felt the pressure of the home Games, and the expectations of the British people, particularly given my background and past successes.  My answer was no.  Because nobody in the world can expect more of me than I expect of myself.  Nobody puts more pressure on me than me.  If somebody were to tell me that 60million people were hoping that I’d win, I’d say that I don’t have to live with those 60million people, but I do have to live with myself.   At the end of the day, I don’t really care about what those 60million people expected from me because if they thought I could win, then, chances are, I’d been promising myself for six months before that that I would win.  Unfortunately, that was to be my downfall yesterday.

One thing’s for sure - I know that this last week can’t be the only thing I ever do at the Olympics, so I think it’s pretty safe to say I’ve got Rio 2016 firmly in my diary.

To end on a more positive note - I have a few thank-you’s to say.  The first is to the crowd that came to show their support, particularly yesterday.  Eleven shots in to my standing, I realised I had nothing left in the tank.  And I was only just over half way through my match.  I dug deep enough to get that first ten, and then you guys carried me the rest of the way.  So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.  I’m only sorry that I couldn’t repay you with a medal.

The second is to my family and friends and all the support staff who kept me going — I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.  And hopefully, your lives can now return to normal!

Lastly.  Daddy.  There aren’t really the words to express the gratitude I feel.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I wouldn’t be sitting here, writing this, in the Olympic Village, without all the support you have given me throughout my life.  You have taught me all of the most valuable lessons in life and although it might have taken almost five years for them to get through my skull, they’re pretty well ingrained now.  I’m sorry I didn’t manage to thank you in the best way possible (which would have been to win a medal) so I guess this will have to do.  I love you Daddy, and thank you.]]>user@domain.comBlog2012-07-29T08:45:23+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/f692cbe0f8eac96eee261bae9edcf5cc-19.html#unique-entry-id-19http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/f692cbe0f8eac96eee261bae9edcf5cc-19.html#unique-entry-id-19
392 ex400 to finish 36th. Poor score. Great performance.

For anyone who wasn’t there, or hasn’t already heard, yesterday was a first for international shooters. The home crowd decided they were going to applaud me after every ten I shot (and despite the low score, that was still quite a few). At first, I didn’t really know what was going on. By the second shot, I’d figured it out. But it took a couple more for me to realise that they were going to do it for my whole match. So I just have to thank everyone that came along and made my first ever match at the Olympics so special. You were all incredible and I’m just sorry that I didn’t do better and really give you something to cheer about.

Apparently, it took a lot of nerve to stand there and take that — or so Olympic gold medallist, Matt Emmons tells me — and it’s always hardest at home — according to the French coach.

But I have to set the record straight.

I did not buckle under pressure. My score was not low because I succumbed to nerves (although I did have them in abundance). I did not fail to qualify for the final because I couldn’t take the tension. I didn’t make the final because I’m just not good enough. My score was low because my technical abilities — my ability to stand still enough, my ability to pull the trigger without minimal movement, my reactions to seeing the sight picture I want and doing something about it — are just not up to scratch.

Does that mean I’ll never be good enough? Of course not. Just not yet.

But this rodeo is far from over... I’ve got Women’s 50m Rifle Three Positions in a week, and man, am I fired up for it. I’ve never been this hungry for a match: never been this eager to get on the point and do what I do best. Shoot 10s. So I’m going to go away, get focused, get some training in and get ready. I hope the atmosphere next Saturday is as good as it was yesterday - and hopefully this time, I can give you all something to cheer about.

And just to finish on a happier note — a friend of my Dad’s sent me this screenshot from when he was watching online. For eight shots in my match, I was leading the Olympic field... pretty cool, huh?

]]>user@domain.comBlog2012-05-28T15:03:32+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ac407e6569cbfca742ea7bd57fab4c60-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ac407e6569cbfca742ea7bd57fab4c60-18.html#unique-entry-id-18
Pretty much sums it up. The last three days have been one hell of a roller-coaster. I keep getting people to pinch me. I’m sure I must be dreaming. But then I realise I’m not and I get this feeling in my chest that I can’t describe... I think it’s pride.

I’ve been utterly blown away by the response I’ve had to making the final. I shudder to think how crazy my phone is going to go now. But I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support — not just over the last few days but for the years before that.

I guess there are a few individuals I should thank specifically for getting me to this point. My coach - Sinclair Bruce - and support staff from the Scottish Institute of Sport. I think it goes without saying that I wouldn’t be announcing my Olympic selection without you guys. My boyfriend, Andrew... well... I’ll tell you later. My friends and family — for putting up with the fact that you never see me and all I ever talk about when you do see me is shooting and shoes. Mum. Thank you for being my inspiration to take up this incredible sport, and then supporting me all the way through (even when I started beating you).

But mostly, I want to thank my Dad. I don’t know if most people really appreciate how much time and effort he puts into the British rifle team, but I think the results speak for themselves. Or rather, our results speak for him. Not only is he a truly fantastic coach but he is the best Daddy a girl could wish for. Plus, he can always find ways to motivate me in ways that nobody else can.

So thank you one and all. I cannot tell you how excited I am by all of this (if you’ve my previous post about the Excited Dog: 1500 - Got selected to go to the Olympics!!! My favourite thing!!!). It’s been an incredible three years and all I can say now is that I will give everything that is in me to do you all proud.]]>user@domain.comBlog2012-05-17T21:19:55+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/4046a998054ebdb5eadccedc8e35889a-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/4046a998054ebdb5eadccedc8e35889a-17.html#unique-entry-id-17
Dog’s Diary.

0800 - Dog food! My favourite thing!
0930 - A car ride! My favourite thing!
0940 - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
1030 - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
1500 - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
1700 - Dinner! My favourite thing!
2200 - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

Basically, the joke is comparing this to a Cat’s Diary - which goes something like this:

Cat’s Diary.

Day 983 of My Captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely remarked about what a ‘good little hunter’ I am.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate on of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again... but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

Anyway, you get the gist. But right now, I feel like the dog - or, the Excited Dog, as I am calling him - where everything is my favourite thing. I think it’s mostly down to my boyfriend giving me permission to spend hours online looking at clothes and makeup in an attempt to let him know what I actually want for my birthday. But it’s had a knock on effect. I’m excited about everything. My little sister is part of the school orchestra who will be performing the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Cats, (ironically) in June. Cats also happens to be my favourite musical. Ever. And then there’s the fact that I got to spend all of last week with my best friend - an American rifle shooter who I only ever see at competitions - and we talked about all the things we’d do on her trip to Scotland (which won’t be until 2013, so I don’t know why I’m so excited about it)...

So for now, I am the Excited Dog. And loving every minute of it.]]>user@domain.comBlog2012-05-27T21:17:06+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ae2fe787797e3a68a1b3f2e7875c5cd8-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ae2fe787797e3a68a1b3f2e7875c5cd8-16.html#unique-entry-id-16
Pretty much haven’t stopped smiling for the last 24hrs... what a day! Just back in the UK and it’s starting to sink in that I MADE A FINAL AT A WORLD CUP!!! And not only that, then shot pretty well in said final.

The Excited Dog has well and truly taken hold now. I’ve started sending update texts to my boyfriend in the form of Dog Diary entries... yesterday’s read:

1100 - I MADE THE FINAL! My favourite thing!!!

1230 - Shooting 100.2 in the final and finishing 6th. My favourite thing!

1900 - Having my new PB ratified as a British record. My favourite thing!

It’s all very exciting and I have to say the response has been fabulous! As I said to my Dad on the way to the Finals Hall, if one more person tells me ‘well done’ I might cry! Turned out I managed to hold it together and giggled my way through the final (laughter is a really good way to get rid of nerves). I also have to mention how much I felt like a rockstar when they played this as they called ‘shooters to the line’. I really enjoyed the experience and look forward to many more to come!

]]>user@domain.comBlog2012-01-26T13:43:14+00:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/7f3a364809d0497b5d05eb8c6f9984fd-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/7f3a364809d0497b5d05eb8c6f9984fd-15.html#unique-entry-id-15
It’s a rest day for me at the moment - I’m in Munich for a competition (IWK Munich funnily enough!) and it’s just the juniors shooting today... that’s a pretty scary thing actually (sorry, this post is going to be filled with sidetracks and have a, kind of, stream-of-consciousness/grasshopper feel to it). Anyway... where was I? Ah yes, not being a junior anymore... for those of you not in the know, I turn 21 this June, and according to the ISSF, you cease to be a junior on the 1st Jan of the year you turn 21 (which would suck if your birthday was 31st December). So now I am a senior. Which means shooting with the big guns (not literally since it’s the middle of the air rifle season). Not that I’ve never shot as a senior before... but now it’s not by choice. And none of my scores count for Junior records anymore... *sob*

Anyway... how did I get on to this? Oh yes, rest day. Not much to do. Avoid the range as much as possible. Play with make-up (not being vain, just recently realised that my face is a portable canvas that I kinda have to take everywhere with me). Chat to my team - if they haven’t already gone to the range just to avoid going stir-crazy in the hotel. Normally, I find myself on Facebook on days like these (who doesn’t?) any anyway, realised that I update that far more than I update this... so I’m going to make more of an effort to update my blog. And I apologise if you find it boring (I would suggest not reading it) but I enjoy writing it... mostly because it gives me something to do.

Anyway... preparations for Olympics are going well (since people keep asking me) and I’m getting quite excited (although the team won’t be picked until May). It’s good to be back out on the circuit competing again and I’m getting more and more jazzed with each match that passes. The one I’m really looking forward to (besides the Olympics obviously) is the World Cup in London this year... I realised recently that I’ve never properly been in London, so I think I might take the opportunity to go and have a look around.

Anyway... that’s the third paragraph I’ve started with “Anyway...” and that’s actually starting to irritate me (but not enough to go back and change it)... a New Year and new things to look forward too. And, to put it in my natural accent “a cannae wait likes!”]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-12-07T05:44:16+00:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/1d8e0b2eb234a8aa1eefb2178e8a944a-14.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/1d8e0b2eb234a8aa1eefb2178e8a944a-14.html#unique-entry-id-14
I’ve made so many friends out here — friends that I’m sure I will keep for life. And not just friends from within my sport. I’ve had the chance to meet athletes from other sports and learn about their sports and their training, which has been really interesting and something I think is actually really lacking in the UK. I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for being so great. I’m really going to miss you guys.

This place is incredible and I hope one day that we’ll have something like this back home... but sadly, I don’t think it’ll be while I’m still a competitive athlete. Maybe when I make my millions (HA!) I’ll donate a whole load of money into starting one!

But, you know, there really is no place like home. I don’t normally get homesick on trips away but this one has been particularly hard. I’ve missed the sea and the mountains (not that there’s any shortage here... I’m just picky) and, slightly worryingly, the weather. I’ve missed buildings that are more than twenty-years-old. I’ve missed Irn-Bru and haggis and bagpipes and BBC Radio One. But most of all I’ve missed my family, my friends and my amazing boyfriend. I just want to thank you all for being so understanding about me being away for so long and for all your love and support. You guys are the best.

Now just a two hour drive, a nine hour flight, a three hour wait and then another hour flight until I’m home and back in my own bed and eating Andrew’s cooking! Can’t wait!!! :D]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-11-08T03:06:23+00:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ac54c06c551c3abd84998a28d1313062-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ac54c06c551c3abd84998a28d1313062-13.html#unique-entry-id-13
That’s me just back in my (beautiful) dorm room at the USA OTC, Colorado Springs after an eventful weekend in Alabama. Shot the Dixie Double at the CMP range in Anniston and I have to say... it went pretty well. The two days training before hand were great fun and really productive, but mostly I spent my time answering really daft questions about Scotland... like, “if Scottish men wear kilts, who wears the pants in the relationship?” Anyway, first day was a 595 with 397 for my first 40 which I was pretty pleased at. I went into the final in 2nd behind Meghann Morrill, tied with Matt Rawlings, and just managed to keep ahead of him to keep hold of my silver medal. Later that day, I was kindly reminded that I am in fact, still a Junior and so, with hindsight, I also won the Juniors that day...

The story of how I remembered that I’m still a Junior is actually probably worth a mention... basically, there’s a team event and each team has to contain at least one Junior. Amy Sowash, in her infinite wisdom, remembered that I’m a junior and entered her and I as team ‘Braveheart’... the next day, after the match but before the final, one of the organisers asked me for my date of birth. Next thing I know, my name is being called out during the Junior final (which was being shot at the same time as the Open final). Jen = confused.

Anyway, Day 2 wasn’t quite so good but still a solid 593 with another 397 for my first 40. Despite going into the final 3rd, I finished 4th after a fairly dismal final, but at least had the bonus of winning the Juniors for that day. In the end, I placed 3rd in the Open Aggregate and 1st in the Junior Aggregate... not a bad weekend if I’m perfectly honest... despite the 3am start for my flight back to Colorado.]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-11-01T02:01:48+00:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/c6f2eb503a7755866dc8e5d062a63f62-12.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/c6f2eb503a7755866dc8e5d062a63f62-12.html#unique-entry-id-12
]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-10-20T00:58:11+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/bebe2c786526b4e03392ec0ea7c76dc9-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/bebe2c786526b4e03392ec0ea7c76dc9-11.html#unique-entry-id-11
Anyway, it’s dinner time here so I better go get some before the boys eat it all! :)]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-07-24T22:26:02+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/08fb4a6050b4abd1537a04d7f62d4f2d-10.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/08fb4a6050b4abd1537a04d7f62d4f2d-10.html#unique-entry-id-10
I do have to say, the electronic targets made a huge difference to the final. Now all we need are another 10/15 so that we can have the whole range on electronics! It was a really good weekend with a good atmosphere - a competition to go in the diaries for next year people! :)]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-08-06T11:21:31+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/0bcb6a4d951b8f75d5c9e563eca5fdbd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/0bcb6a4d951b8f75d5c9e563eca5fdbd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9
What a day... I was pretty happy with my prone and my standing actually; nothing special but solid enough. Kneeling was massively frustrating. Yes, the wind was up, but it was straightforward enough that with a little patience and understanding of what was happening it was perfectly shootable. But I just wasn’t being patient — and I should know better. I had a couple of shots in my first string that were just me, being an idiot. But looking my second string (at least with the courtesy of hindsight)... I was shooting tight enough to have shot 100 there... I lost six points to wind. As I said: frustrating.

And to lose the quota place on four inner tens... it really smarts. This year has been one of the best years that British Shooting has ever had - James Huckle and Michelle Smith making their respective finals in Changwon and Munich; Jon, Matt and Neil have all been really close to finals this year, Jon and Neil making a shoot-off in Munich, Jon was a point off the final in Sydney, Changwon and Fort Benning, and then he and Matt were one point off the final in Belgrade today... it’s been a really good year, but a year of ‘just-nearly’s. ]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-08-04T15:48:04+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/b9d338804a59559276230e6f70b77cda-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/b9d338804a59559276230e6f70b77cda-8.html#unique-entry-id-8
Pretty much it really. It wouldn’t have been that bad if it wasn’t for the first string. None of the rest was brilliant but those first few shots were pretty costly. Well done to Michelle though - excellent shoot today in what weren’t exactly easy conditions. Hard to lose it like that on inners (trust me, been there, done that bought the t-shirt) but a medal is a medal and there were a lot of experienced shooters on the range today. Congrats!]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-07-23T21:34:47+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/1cae274f99875e752dc5980a18bfd88d-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/1cae274f99875e752dc5980a18bfd88d-7.html#unique-entry-id-7
Bring it.]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-07-18T19:14:36+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/5fa3a09ff8f5bf3fe536d551911e6944-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/5fa3a09ff8f5bf3fe536d551911e6944-6.html#unique-entry-id-6user@domain.comBlog2011-06-29T11:12:37+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/24a097572d1093d4c40fe40bc0c97347-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/24a097572d1093d4c40fe40bc0c97347-5.html#unique-entry-id-5user@domain.comBlog2011-06-19T18:17:42+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/46169773bf5234ac238d28a9282ada5f-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/46169773bf5234ac238d28a9282ada5f-4.html#unique-entry-id-4that poor. Just those first five dodgy shots in standing that cost me dearly...]]>user@domain.comBlog2011-06-18T19:07:19+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ba4c249893677ee0555bd240a367027e-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/ba4c249893677ee0555bd240a367027e-3.html#unique-entry-id-3user@domain.comBlog2011-06-13T15:06:39+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/23a5ddbbf506a954b71d418a731d7dfa-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/23a5ddbbf506a954b71d418a731d7dfa-2.html#unique-entry-id-2user@domain.comBlog2011-06-11T23:37:08+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/27a07028ff0b259d1dab2e92b66f8997-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/27a07028ff0b259d1dab2e92b66f8997-1.html#unique-entry-id-1user@domain.comBlog2011-06-10T23:35:32+01:00http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/02430c5120eb533dd1ba41a1e8e527a3-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.jenmcintosh.co.uk/blog/files/02430c5120eb533dd1ba41a1e8e527a3-0.html#unique-entry-id-0