Running warm up/down 15:00 [2]
shoes: Adidas boost
Warming up for the sprint, feeling all nervous but excited.
Orienteering race 16:52 [5]
shoes: Adidas boost
WOC Sprint Qualification! 3.6 km, 10 m climb, 15 controls.
This went great. The trainings we have been doing in residential areas were spot on and there were no surprises. The nerves got to me on the way to the first control but I got it together after that and had no mistakes really, just some hesitations towards the end when having spectators watching became too distracting.
I was reflecting on the sprint training experience on the drive to/from the race. Many thoughts running through my head. Having a meaningless result should be liberating, yet I found myself searching for meaning. Two months ago I was not a sprinter, was not comfortable in this discipline. Today I can say that I truly enjoyed this race, and that my attitude towards this discipline has changed from something I'm not good at so I should try, to a fun fast pace that requires constant focus and quick decision-making. Training over the past few months has been highly beneficial. Sure, I'm still not terribly fast, but I navigated and pushed myself well today, and for me this was a great accomplishment. I'm proud of myself, which is a new feeling. This challenge of sprinting at WOC was a great thing that happened to me. No regrets, and I'm looking forward to more sprinting in the future.
Also, spectating at WOC is awesome.