This is a welcome improvement from my last blog on one of the worst nights i have had at league in a long time. After such a dismal display, I decided it was high time to check off one of my goals for this year: to seek coaching from bowling guru Donna Roberts. I knew I was not going to get out of this rut by barreling through it like I have done in the past = professional help was needed. I wanted to correct the fundamental flaws in my game so I could move definitively in the right direction, and be armed with the knowledge of what I need to watch out for, so i don't regress again or too badly.
I had my lesson with Donna on June 23, and have been diligently working on the key things she had me working on. Lots of things to think about, which was not good for me in the beginning, but we had discussed about putting in the minimum six hours of practice (just like our piano teachers told us!). I had noticed my ball speed increasing, and I was hitting my target more consistently, so it was only a matter of time before my scores reflected an incremental improvement in my game. Putting in the work helped me get a sense of how "right" should feel, so my new and improved approach could become more instinctive... good to minimize the thinking!
By this Monday, I had logged in 55 games (both league and practice) since my June 23 lesson, which was more than the minimum 6 hours, but hey, I am a stubborn cookie overcoming many bad habits and striving for consistency. I had been doing the release drill Donna taught me, and was getting better at keeping my head down through my approach, trusting my swing (do not direct the ball!) and following through strongly, which all finally came together on Monday and made a difference!
THANK YOU, Donna, my fabulous coach and miracle worker, for making it possible! THANK YOU, Papa Joel, for watching out for me and sharing this journey with me (go JC Squared!). SHOUT OUT to Romy and Blue of Pinoy Style, and our opponents from $Money in the Pocket, witnesses to the miracle.
In my typical fashion, i had to get worse before the lesson kicked in and sank in, but the results are worth it! Hard work truly pays off. I need to be realistic though = for sure it will be bad again, i have no illusions. But now i know and believe i can do good and be truly great, coz my inner bowler came out to play this magical Monday and she was super awesome! I am grateful to be on the right track, getting the help and support I need, and truly looking forward to even more milestones on my journey.
See y'all at the lanes!
