Training Log Archive: levitin

Quickroute/Garmin show I lost about 15 minutes wandering around between my first attack point to #15 and eventual departure from it.

Yesterday I regained thermo-regulation ability much more quickly than after previous Traverses. Maybe because I had a plastic shell as my outer layer, maybe because I drank some pickle juice after the race, and maybe because I stopped at Dunkin' to enjoy a hot (meatless) beverage.

Sleeping was still a challenge.

Event: NEOC: Blue Hills Traverse
 

Blue Hills Traverse. Steady, chilly rain, with lots of standing water on level paths. Followed Steve Tarry for a couple of controls before falling off the back. Couldn't read the map in the rain at all well, unless I stopped. Was near Phil (Huh? he must have had some heart issues) at #8, but I left the control in an unintended direction (south, instead of southwest), so that was goodby to him and the couple of others near him. At the first spectator loop I think I saw the Campbells leaving 13 as I was trying to pick a good attack point for #10. This area has sucked me into its vortex on previous occasions. Eric Smith said he lost a lot of time there. I went to 14 via trails to the south, then 15 via trails to the left. #15 was hung on the wrong boulder, 3 contours above the circled boulder. I don't know how those who were racing or those who were orienteering solo ever found this one. I attacked the circle from two different directions, and was just about to give up when another runner said she found it way above. 2nd spectator loop OK, taking care in the tricky little knolls and reentrants, then 19 via trails to the north. I missed the #19 attacking from the trail bend, thenbailed to the trail and attacked successfully from the south. Control #20 was a test of confidence. I have had terrible results trying to move across the bland hillside, and the traction was miserable, even with spikes. But I knew the little trail N of the green patch would be helpful, so I took a chance and it worked out OK. Little trail to the stream, then down the stream until I noticed the spur just to the W of the stream, then contoured over and spiked it. 20 to 21 I bailed down to the trail, where the footing was wet and not much fast than if I had contoured around.

Traverse - Splits