Training Log Archive: vmeyer

Event: QOC Patapsco McKeldin
 

I wrote the part below about the control debacle on Sunday night, when I was feeling pretty embarrassed about the mislabeled controls. Though, I would have to say that no one was at all crabby to me about it. Because I am much more of an “objective” thinker than a “subjective” thinker, I let the whole thing irritate me more than I should have.

I took my initial synopsis until I had more time to include something a bit more balanced about the event. There were really so many wonderful things about the day, and QOC is still near and dear to my heart, most of the time. ;)

Lydia was a first-time meet director. She was organized, had arranged for plenty of volunteers, and kept a smile on her face all day. She also checked in on a regular basis to see if I needed anything. And, there was plenty of food and drink at the refreshment table throughout the event.

Amy set up the download/results area in the shelter in a configuration which allowed me to stay in the shade all day, and the sun was never on my face or in my eyes. It was a wonderful day in the warm shade. I also had the pleasure of Nicole’s (age 5 or 6) company while her family was out on their course. She helped get SI-cards registered before going out on a White course with her sister.

It was nice to see George and Leslie at an event with some of their family members, after G & L having to skip the DVOA meet last month.

Eight great people agreed to pick up controls, and the 50 controls were collected up in near record time. Eddie was one of them, and he also brought his soldering equipment and fixed a control unit for me.

So, the day was not a complete failure, and I have to accept that what did fail was not my fault, even if it was related to results.

Synopsis:
Flag out, but not the control box
Control on map is "H", control in location is "J"
Control on map is "M", control in location is "119"
Controls on map are U, V, W - controls in location are a variation thereof
Controls on map are M, N, O, P - controls in location are not lettered...you get the idea by now.

And, this doesn't even address the controls which had random numbers associated with the letters. The course setter was doing a novelty event with windows - get window 1 with controls A, B, C, and D in any order. Software requires numbers, so A = 101, B = 102, C = 103, D = 104. Course setter doesn't quite get this, so he pulls out whatever control and slaps a letter on it. So, A = 154. B = 121, C = 120, D = 153. And, the other five windows are a variation of this fun.

Let's just say, while I like to troubleshoot and make things right, this was the toughest event ever. I can make the numbers to letters match up, in the software but when I am handed a list of numbers to numbers which makes no sense, than really, oh, crap, is all I could think. Um, 120 = B = 137 = 154... [Edit: it has taken me two days to sort out what I need to do to get RG posted. I have to edit the Condes file first to get the correct code assigned to the control location.]

My frustration was compounded by the fact that the beginner course had a control with a flag but no control box, and the Intermediate course had two controls with the wrong controls on the boxes. These two controls affected the most people, because they were less sure that they are in the right place and hunted around quite a bit in some cases before punching and moving on.

All this was after the last couple of controls were being put out 15 minutes after the time the courses opened. Calling for help at 8 PM the night before the event, after things are screwed up, is not really helpful.

And, then there are the controls which weren't exactly in the correct location.

Anyway, this is a club failure, not any individual's failure (NA - please, do not take any of this personally. You don't need to post apologies here, really!!). We know that this course setter is a weak link, therefore, we can not continue to give him such responsibility for an event. If we do, then I will be even more embarrassed for the club than I was today. And, I think today was an all time low. then they can find someone else to do the epunching for the event.

things hurt after...ugh.

Then Sarah and Lailah came for a visit. While Sarah worked on an editing project, Lailah and I went to the new playground at Potomac Yards. Then the pool followed by some sewing and planting. Topped off by having dinner at the Mexican place with Roger and Matt. A very fine way to spend a personal day.

Session with Mike. PF pain in the morning. Agh!

606 616 605 r63 555 601 r33 604

30 minutes on my own!!

613 r34 56ff 625 r31 56ff r18 605 r43 57ff r36 605 r30 58ff r32 612

Sets of 10 with a rest and a fast and furious, for me, 50 in between. Got me breathing hard.

Session with Mike. Having some PF pain.