Under Pressure: Training Through Adversity
By Jimmy Bates
I have decided to be transparent and vulnerable here in the hopes that others might be encouraged. Reflecting back, I am filled with a multitude of emotions—pride, regret, determination—all forged through my experiences with The Gun Run, an event that tests our mettle in ways few others can. I love that this competition uniquely challenges our physical fitness, shooting skills under duress, and the reliability of our equipment in demanding scenarios. As a dedicated participant, a platoon sergeant for a light infantry scouts & sniper platoon and a firearms instructor, the lessons I absorb here directly enhance the training I provide to my soldiers & students, reinforcing the realism critical in their learning journey.
Over the past year, my personal capacity to engage in this beloved type of event has been significantly tested. I was still able to run a couple at the Sawmill and I participated in the very memorable flooded event at 17 South - but my performance was significantly lacking. After undergoing a rotator cuff surgery on my shooting arm and grappling with Central Serous Retinopathy in my dominant eye, my ways of shooting had to adapt dramatically. I haven't just been relearning to shoot; I've been learning to shoot in entirely new ways, using my non-dominant eye and shoulder. This was compounded by five additional surgeries, whose details remain private, adding layers of complexity to my recovery and training.
Looking back, I realized I had inadvertently allowed these health challenges to become excuses for reducing my training intensity. This was a mistake. It was a comforting illusion to assume that a lighter training regime would suffice, one I aim to dispel not only for myself but for any who read this message. In truth, these obstacles should have sparked an increase in my training, a surge in my commitment to overcome and adapt.
My journey through recovery and adaptation teaches a crucial lesson: the importance of training, and training even harder when we're not at 100%. When our bodies and capacities are compromised, that's when our spirit and resolve need to kick into higher gear. It’s not enough to hope to rise to the occasion; we must actively lift ourselves to meet it. Hope is not a strategy. I commend anyone who is thinking “duh”… and even more-so if you are someone who has been injured and successfully trained around it. Your resilience and determination should be an inspiration to others. I’m hard-headed sometimes and have always had difficulty prioritizing my own health. I’ve been your run-of-the-mill, suck-it-up and drive-on, typical Airborne Infantry guy for 22 years. Now at 44 that life, plus multiple OEF/OIF combat deployments, are catching up to me. I’m not looking for street cred here - or a “thank me for my service” it’s embarrassing to list that experience while simultaneously admitting my failure to take my training seriously through my injuries. One thing that has helped me convert my mentality is that I have others in my life who count on me and need me to be healthy and ready.
This isn't just about shooting better or running faster; it’s about understanding and overcoming our limits. We fall into the trap of accidental training, a sporadic and reactive approach, rather than the intentional, proactive training necessary for real growth and preparedness.
Let my experience be a beacon for all. Train hard, and when challenges strike—as they inevitably will—train harder. We do this not just to excel in competition, but to ensure we are always ready, always capable, no matter what life throws our way. This is not just preparation for the next edition of The Gun Run; it is preparation for life.
To our match directors and ROs, thank you for fostering an environment that pushes us beyond our limits. To my fellow competitors, let us meet at the starting line not just with the intention to compete, but to surpass the personal and physical challenges that face us.
Sincerely trying to turn adversity into strength,
