Training Log Archive: bl

KRTF on way home from work. Drove right by the main entrance so started at secondary gate well along the road. Mostly rides & then a path & finally path system. Accidentally turned 305 off when trying find way home mode. Was in a hurry: pack, dinner out, pack the last & flight tomorrow to CA at 0600.

KRTF seems it would make a good O map: lidar base necessary, geo-referenced aerials & GPS'd feature location - sounds like a piece of cake. I want to do some more field-checking soon. Talking with George W about ghettocad/iPad use sparked the desire.

Bear Brook USOC, second day. It was considerably warmer - 46F at Hayes this am. It rained last night but it was another gem of a morning. I stopped by to be accounted for, then went off to the backwoods of BB. How special to be there in that October finery as the day was waking up. Went to most of the points just fine - of course, had been there in vetting but going in the opposite direction for the most part. Did have some map contact issues on a few & was even anxious about returning with my report before first start. Did some more muddling & was back just before 9a.

PM picked up flags along the top of the SW part - certainly an abundance of challenge in this area - calls for several techniques & experience, too, to make it happen to one's satisfaction (and ever-present luck should it come one's way).

The last of the weekend was with Pete B, Alar, Jim, Ernst, JJ and Tony Federer standing/talking in the increasing chill, enjoying the last fine moments of a great weekend. It ended when JJ broke the 'ice' (some of us were cold) with his saying that he was done standing for the day. With that, we disappeared into our other lives.

C • It was a wonderful weekend.... 12

At large meets, there's the many interactions that go on - or don't - due to too much to do. It calls for a certain capability to have interacted with "everyone" to one's satisfaction. I guess that's not me, hasn't been. Thoreau took to the woods for his reasons. I've taken to woods & "singular"/solitary sports (XC, track, swimming, O) vs team (football, basketball, baseball) in part because I've shied away from too much personal interaction - for whatever reason. But nothing personal.

We (Bob & Beth) had a really nice time with Hans & Lena. Marcello came for dinner and spent Saturday night here, aboard RHODORA (one other orienteer did that at BG '09). Marcello was indeed amazed with all the places this old boat, sitting well out of sight of sea (a small stream gurgling astern), had been. Saturday night dinner was live indeed. And it was fun to introduce Marcello to various orienteers today as the maker of the Sunday map.

Event: UNO Boulder Dash
 

Vetting & picking up flags. Was 33F when we gathered in Hayes field. Full moon still present, rosy-fingered dawn enroute. Marvelled at the woods in October finery. Cold fingers bring a warm day which it was - yellow jackets had a field day in Hayes field. Things went well - all the points in the right places - the system is pretty fool proof. Major issue is appropriateness of points and possible misplacement - but if doubt exists, it's most likely a poor choice for a flag.

Have the Bengtssons and Oscar for dinner & two day visit. Quality eve talking old & new.

"Final common pathway"


Saturday finish

And Tanis' photoshop accomplishment.

Went to SPS, parked under 89. No motivation but what a fine day - so walked to the playing fields, did some exercise & walked back. Watched kids playing soccer while exercising - one kicked the ball over light green & down an embankment - with a large static, leaf-covered stream at bottom. Kids gave up looking fairly fast - not their ball perhaps at work. Had an opportunity to be useful & found the ball looking more to left. Harder to find than one might have expected (basically white on brown leaves).

Hopkinton loop CCW. Overcast, cool, rather ideal even if no sun. Muted colors. Looked down after some time (0.65mi by car on way home) and noted 305 wasn't recording. Tried the "adventure route" I'd looked at on sat view months ago but when I came to a 3-way junction, I opted for the sure way out. Right-hand went in what I felt was the wrong direction; straight ahead was narrow, climbed & mostly waist-high grass - but that was the one I needed now that I can see again. Noted the two exits-entrances on Hatfield Rd. Adventure awaits inside this loop. Next time for sure. Escape the "mandatory" do what you set out to do - flexibility is good, even essential.