Training Log Archive: Swampfox

Met up with Mark Jenkins and his class, and hit them up with a rapid fire introduction to what an orienteering map was all about, how to use the map, how to use rough compass, and went through some basic principles of navigation and a list of simple navigation "tools". It felt like I was trying to cram a week of instruction into about 40 minutes. But that was the task, and I did as best I could. Then we spent about 15 minutes walking a somewhat circuitous path to the start of the course I had set for them, so that I could point out some features and how and why they were mapped. With that, the group set off individually at 2 minute intervals and tackled the course, which was equivalent to an Orange in both length and difficulty.

I had no idea whatsoever how they would do, but they managed really well! Everyone finished, and well within the time limit we had set. And it looked like they all had a pretty good time. Mark was very happy, so--mission accomplished.

After they left, I ran around the course and picked up the controls. I had already run around the course earlier to make sure everything was ready to go. It was a planned easy running day for me, after the intervals yesterday.

As I was finishing up, I was positive I heard cows off in the distance; this would be pretty early for them to be showing up.