Orienteering 51:03 [3] *** 3.0 km (17:01 / km)
spiked:5/8c shoes: Skechers GoRunS
Since there was still plenty of time, and not many participants, I decided to try the shorter course also. Today was unusual in that we were pin-punching, which we haven't done since getting our e-punch stuff over two years ago.
The venue was very interesting, with most of the controls in the deep woods with many intersecting trails, and many route choices. I made a serious mistake in my route choice going from 1 to 2, which was about twice as long as a better route. Then, while running on open ground right next to the woods, a Malemute came up and bumped my butt with his nose. Scary. No leash in sight. I stopped and looked back for an owner, but he was about 40 feet away, on a cellphone, and looking the opposite direction. A few minutes later, when I had found the trail through the woods, the dog again bumped me on the butt, but this time the owner called him back.
I did ok then going to 2, then to 3. On the way to 4, I rounded a bend on a narrow trail with brush and poison ivy on both sides, and came face-to-face with the same dog. Not wanting to run and provoke a prey reaction, I backpedaled to a small trail, while the owner showed up and took the dog away. By then I was freaked, couldn't concentrate on the map and wandered around. Finally, I got control back, relocated, and went on with the course, although making one more poor route choice, albeit nothing as serious as the first one.
Still, I had lots of fun, and this was great practice.