Orienteering race 1:51:16 [3] *** 9.78 mi (11:23 / mi) +280m 10:27 / mi
spiked:21/24c shoes: VJ Falcon w spikes
Blue Hills Traverse. 13.1k Nice course set by Jeff. Started out at Pankopoag and traversed over by Houghton's Pond to Blue Hills West. Both maps were 1:10k which I liked. This was one of the faster courses with less climb. I have not orienteered at 8.5 minutes per k in quite a while.
I started out a bit slow, but eventually made my way to about the first 10 or so by # 1. I was closely behind Jon to 2, leaving a group of 3-4 behind. I lost a minute tying a shoe on the way to 3, choosing the S around route. I then caught up with Jimmy and we stayed together for the longest time.
A 1 minute mistake at 8 - we came to the boulder that was on the circle, and then overran to the trail a bit too far E. We went straight 8 -9, had a bit of a hesitation at 10, and so eventually a group of about 6 were catching up as we crossed over to the spectator loop. Now that was interesting - I slurped my goo on the way before the water stop, and simply sprinted through 13 and 14 and found myself in front going E to 15. Looked like a bunch of 8 people now spread up to 1/5 of a mile behind me.
Approaching 15, Alex closed in on Jimmy and I, but then Jimmy and I left all behind to 16. Here we caught up with Jon, and then I led into 18, where I saw Ari and Wyatt further ahead. I went straight through to 19, taking advantage of Wyatt who led me to it. Others went around and were slower. Then with Wyatt to 20 and eventually also with Ari to 21, which I led taking a gamble, but found it in the "area that I used to hate".
Out of 21 left leg hamstring cramping set it for a bit after all this uphill hopping. So I had to shake it off by slowing down, Wyatt and Ari forged ahead. Goal now was not to let any of the group behind me catching up. 22 was easy but uphill, so still a bit cramping. I choose to go N downhill to the trail, which I could run fast. I came a bit to low and overshot 23, but eventually saw the control and saw Ari above it circling around. I took it as quickly as I could hoping Ari would not see me. He didn't. Then, carefree and still fast running to 24 and in.
A lot of fun. I had energy to the end, and kept my place which ended up being 6th overall.