Discussion: all of the things

Much going on here that I have not commented on -

Congrats on making the national team, even though I honestly don't know its degree of awesomeness and how this compares to the degree of awesomeness you've already been sporting. (I mean, you've already been wearing the USA gear, so this is nothing new, no?)

I'm sorry that the cholla spine was not by some miracle of acupuncture the source of your knee pain. That's really f'ed up you had such a large shard of plant in your toe for so long! And it must have been pretty gross.

I hope for more commentary re: season standings (by you or others). I see that you're tied with Eric, though your name is in "Place 1," so did you win?! I don't know how tie breakers go. But, I bet you won, and holey cow that's awesome!

I hope you find some improvement with your knee, and good luck at sprint camp!

(I mean, you've already been wearing the USA gear, so this is nothing new, no?)

This will be Will's 3rd year on the US Team. There are 3 tiers to the US Team: Elite, Performance, and Development. Will's first year was on the Development team, and this will be his second year on the Performance team.

I'm on the selection committee that chooses the teams, but other than that, I'm not involved with the teams to know what differences there are in funding, coaching, and expectations between the teams. But there are reasons for the tiers.

For reference, Eric Bone is on the Elite team, Tori Borish is on the Performance team, and Hannah Culberg (now living in DC) is on the Elite team. Still, to be on the Performance team is pretty special, and Will has definitely earned his spot!

Also, these teams have zero bearing on who competes at the World Champs. Each spring, there is a "Team Trials" race, the results of which help determine the squad that competes at WOC. (The US junior team works the same way).

That's really f'ed up you had such a large shard of plant in your toe for so long! And it must have been pretty gross.

Gina had the same thing happen up in Whistler in 2014, only it was a shard of wood stuck in her knee. It actually infected her knee, so we had to go to a hospital in Whistler to get that taken care of. It wasn't until about 3 weeks later that the body had ejected the piece to the surface. Not as long as Will's spine, though!

I see that you're tied with Eric, though your name is in "Place 1," so did you win?!

Will did win, via the 5th tiebreaker!

Both had 395 points for the season. Tie.
Both had 100 points for best score. Tie.
Both had 100 points for 2nd best score. Tie.
Both had 100 points for 3rd best score. Tie.
Both had 95 points for 4th best score. Tie.
Will had 95 points for 5th best score. Eric had 90. Will wins!

Haha thanks Julie! I of course welcome your comments on all of my shenanigans, and I also have important questions for you: 1. How is the job search going? 2. Where have you been lately??

5th tiebreaker ! That's insane! And really amusing.

Thanks for the detailed response, Pink Socks!

BigWillyStyle (and any other US-teamer reading this), on behalf of the United States of America, which I have no right to speak for, I would like to thank you for representing your county people on the international orienteering playing field. Make us proud!

1) The job search is happening; I'm negotiating with one company. Another interview is lined up this week, if the negotiations for the first don't pan out. We'll see!

2) I'm a disgusting human being. Not exactly like your toe, but I have been sick for a long time now. It's pretty gross. But, I think it's on it's way out. I don't think I'll be at sprint camp either, sadly, more to do with lack of employment than anything else.

Gina had the same thing happen up in Whistler in 2014, only it was a shard of wood stuck in her knee.

I had a similar thing happen to my knee or just above it anyway. Ran into the end of a tree stump and got three big chunks of wood go straight in. Went to hospital where they got most of it out (they dug around long enough so thought they'd got all of it) but the knee kept weeping pus for months afterwards and it was three months later before I went back to the doctor where they extracted the final piece. Gross.

Jeez, people! So much for eating while I read Attackpoint!

But I'm glad your body is expunging the last vestiges of the hostile desert terrain and that your knee seems inclined to allow you to sprint this weekend. Sorry I wasn't able to give you a run for your money at Fire Mountain. I ended up needing to stay at my trail run after running out to help a fainting teenager off the trail.