This article, by Walt Rauch, tying competition to skills you can use as a concealed carry holder, or any defensive pistol use, spurred me to find IDPA in Las Vegas, and the USPSA right here in St. George.

http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/compete_0309/

Walt, a former director of the USPSA, and a co-founder of the IDPA writes:

If you are serious about developing and maintaining defensive handgun skills, regular participation in the formal competition of one of the practical shooting sports is the best way to do this. Simply put, in these formal shoots there are no excuses. You have to do it right the first time, on demand and when the timer goes off. Before you tune out, thinking, "This isn’t for me; I get enough stress in my everyday life; I don’t need more," consider this: What is a real-world encounter if it’s not a situation where you have to do everything right the first time and on demand?

Thank you Walt. I’ve never had to defend myself with a handgun, but I do feel like maybe I could pull it off if I had to.

BTW: We just celebrated our 1 year match anniversary. Yippee!