Orienteering race 1:18:35 [3] *** 5.4 km (14:33 / km)
spiked:16/21c shoes: La Sportiva Wildcat
Slipp'n & slid'n, plus some near-swimming, heck of a run. The multiple knee-high river crossings added an interesting and exciting element. My SUV got stuck in the mud at a bad choice for a parking spot before starting even in 4x4 and I felt terrible driving on the grass but it was the only way out of where I parked (downhill), talk about soggy, sorry!! (Yet another reminder I need to replace the tires). On the O-course one river crossing was up to my waist! Regretting not getting new O-shoes like I've been meaning to lately, could have come in real handy today w/ such a slippery course. But my goal today was to run a no-mistake navigation race even if it meant throttling back on the speed. It was my first Blue A-race without making a single major nav mistake. Add to it the slippery conditions and I throttled back ever further, so overall I was fairly happy with this run. My plan to #13 was a good one had it been normal water flow conditions, but I got scared off crossing where I planned and thus rounded south and west around the river south of 13 until it split in two, so spent a *lot* of time detrouting due to river concern there, but I like my original plan. Physical unpreparedness was an issue, but that was expected. Seemed more like a Classic than a Middle course. So all things considered I think this being my first A-meet of the year I am probably on track for hitting my goal to score in the 70's for the first time by the end of the year. Fun course, very scenic, and always like an adventure an and an adventure it was. Once again an amazing OCIN / Flying Pig event, thank you OCIN!!
