Training Log Archive: TomN

QOC training event, organized by Ted Good. A multimedia classroom-style presentation on route choice, followed by a shadowing exercise. I was paired with Rick Oliver, a former U.S. Team member who has been away from orienteering for some time due to a combination of injuries and the requirements of a real life. Each of us took the lead on 3 controls, and followed 3 controls.

The first issue came in sorting out the direction to the first control. I was in the lead and he insisted I was making a 180-degree error. I can admit to a few of those, so I was willing to listen, but I was pretty sure I had it right. Then he showed me the proof, and sure enough, his compass was pointing the other way. Actually, after some experimentation, it appeared that his compass had no magnets whatsoever. It was like Captain Jack Sparrow's compass, pointing whichever way it wanted to. Like I said, out of orienteering for some time.

I navigated unevenly on my 3 controls, and it was good to have Rick along. When it came time to exchange leads, he figured he'd try the first control with no compass, and the results were not pleasant. The terrain was inordinately complex, and even following, I was unsure of where we were. After the first control disaster, I gave him my compass, and interestingly, I was more aware of the terrain when I was following, and was able to provide reasonable suggestions.

After talking with a number of the participants, I got the impression that information mostly flowed in one direction between the paired runners. That's good, but it only met half the goal. I think the benefit would probably have been maximized with a more-experienced orienteer shadowing a less-experienced one, rather than trying to pair us off equally. As a club, we need to do more of these exercises.

Mini-sprint after training exercise. I went all-out on this, and had a good run until the next-to-last control. I couldn't find the control. There was a nearby control, with a different number, and that was to be expected because there were many other controls out for the next day's event. I spent 3-4 minutes searching the area before giving up and going on to the last control. Well, it was obviously in the correct location, and also mis-numbered. The pattern was now clear. But it was an informal event, and I appreciate that Ted went to the trouble to put up the course.

Night-O at Prince William. I am in awe of the people who can complete this course at daytime speed. For me, it was basically a continuous wall of impenetrable vegetation. I got repeated pokes in the eyes and greenbriar necklaces, and one good poke in the knee with a sharp stick. At a couple of points I had no idea how to find the control, but managed to waste enough time that someone else came by to show me the way. I'm not sure I can call this fun. I can call it exhausting, though, as the 3rd event of the day.

QOC Prince William overnight camping weekend. Third year for this event, and it's a great tradition. We arrange ourselves among the dozens of cabins, some heated, some not, and gather in the big lodge for potluck dinner and breakfast. Game night after dinner for those who can stay awake. The next day is the winter meeting and O-event. We had upwards of 40 overnighters this time, but the place can probably hold 1000. Most of us could have had a cabin to ourselves, if we were so inclined.

Dinner and breakfast were superior, but I have to say I was one of the ones who couldn't stay awake for game night. That's o.k., I got a few rounds in with Addie on Blokus. We attracted a couple of other interested kids, but it didn't much matter. The essence of the game is, Addie always wins.