Yes – I know, AI is a little weird in the beginning, but after a year of ‘playing’ with GROK, I am convinced that it is one of the best training helpers I have ever had.
Previously, I had already bounced ideas about brace height, pressure buttons and bare shaft tuning – which of course was very easy to do and clear to follow. It was just a chat with questions and answers so very doable and comfortable too.
Two days ago, I tried GROK in a different way. I did 12×6 arrows and counted for a full 72 at 70m. Each end had a photo with total scores per end too. I asked GROK to help predict my next comp in 10 days as the score was already a nice jump from the last 70m comp score. It gave me an estimate which seemed low… so I then noted each arrow one by and I uploaded a photo of the target face (a new one for the session as I was out again at 70m after being at 50m for a few weeks). It meant that all the arrows from my whole session were actually on the photo of the last end. GROK was then able to see all the results – by evaluating all the arrow holes in the target face – and understand that I had many yellows and reds but had lost points on ‘way too many’ blues and a lovely black 4. Since the training had been the first day at 70m and I had managed to get a decent score (291 & 282 –> 573… compared to last month’s 562, I felt that the 3 weeks at 50m training for last weekend’s comp (new Master’s National record –> 648), should allow me to push my expectations at 70m.
My best at 70m is 625, but that was 10 years ago when I still competed for Monaco. A lot of life has happened since then. HOWEVER – and I mean this in the nicest way possible – I have been kicking my own ass in training and being absolutely brutal regarding technique and equipment set up this summer. Even though a lot of time has passed, I really feel like I can hit my old scores again.
So, by GROK looking at the full target face and seeing individual arrow scores for every end, it changed it’s prediction to put me around 600 if conditions cooperate at the comp. And I still want more…
Today was the second training session with GROK but I used it differently. Instead of just uploading a photo at the end, I took notes on every single arrow as I shot them… explained sensations, sequence and landings. It took a very long time. Each end was about 20 minutes for 10 arrows. It was also very awesome that no one else was training so I could control that variable without issue.
So, after the 6 x 10, I had 6 ends of images and a full notes section with many details that I could copy over. For the 6 ends, I did a screenshot where I could see all 6 images together – thus only uploading one image. As GROK processed my notes and images, it could see much progress in this one session. This is known as a DEEP WORK session – slow and emotionally draining… but it does have an upside.
When everything was done, the improvements from understanding what I did on every single arrow, plus adding the GROK interpretations, meant that the session felt like a whole month of training compressed in a few hours.
There are no more questions – only answers.
Yes I am exhausted but there is absolute clarity in what comes next.
Training is hard.
If you can use a tool like GROK to help you get where you want to go, then do it. Even if I self coach a session like this and make lots of notes, there is a wonderful relief having technology confirm everything and even pick out a few tidbits that need attention too.
So, if you are an archer, or possibly a golfer or tennis player, I highly recommend doing an emotionally tough session where you detailing even shot, loading it all in GROK and seeing what opinions and advice may come up.
I will continue this for the rest of the month and hopefully the combination of GROK and my stubbornness will created another personal best at the next competition.
Happy Training!
Kelea QUINN 