Discussion: Map Memorization

The other day I heard that Jorgen Martensson would memorize the details of the map within the control circle and would actually speed up when he entered the circle. Now I don't recommend the speeding up as this goes against everything I have ever read about attacking the control. I thought I would open up a discussion on memorization (we'll talk about speed control later).

Do you memorize the control circle in detail?

I currently don't, but I think that I will try and implement this in my toolchest of O.

What do you memorize on each leg?

I try and look over the whole leg and get a feel for the general features. I also try to remember the feature that I'm looking for, but always double check it as I'm entering the circle.

I would think that one can save time by generalizing, memorizing, and minimizing map reading during the coarse navigation part of a leg. The green-light part of a leg should be done at or near peak race speed. I'd think that it's there that the memorization can yield the most benefit, given that for properly set Classic courses, coarse navigation should occupy about 2/3s of the runner's time. This accumulated cushion can later be expended on accurate map reading upon approach to the control, or the red-light zone. The best time savings for coarse navigation would occur if the runner identifies a series of relatively easily locatable features along the chosen route, memorizes the actions necessary to get from one to the next one, and runs like hell.

The above and below are pure opinions, stated as opinions. I'm not an expert or a good orienteer. I would purely guess that JöMå at some point got very good at the simplification and generalization parts (see, e.g., WOC 1993 routes with all the 90-deg angles). He must have had the excess capacity to also memorize the approach during his green-light runs.

I think it's important to have an idea in your head of what the control area looks like, that way when you get close, you can just go to it. (sounds easy enough...)

I don't try to memorize the legs. In general I don't think it's a good idea to try to look at the map less. the less often you look at the map, the longer it will take you to realize when you've gone the wrong way. instead just try to minimize the effect that map reading has on your terrain running, (ie. practice lots of short glances). I read the map very frequently, and I don't feel like it slows me down. (obviously you don't have to do that so often if the terrain is boring)

I also feel like I run at the same pace all the time (though misha says I slow down a little at the controls). running too hard on trails,etc is a great way to get into oxygen debt and totally screw yourself when you have to start finding controls again.

or really I should say that I don't think about slowing down, it just happens when I try not to get lost approaching the controls

I get myself in big trouble when I believe that the leg is going to be easy so I don't check the map as often as I should and focus on running hard. This has happened to me when there is a big feature near the control, when running along a trail, or when I think I already know the map. I need to tell myself to still check the map while running hard.

Does anybody looks(assess) at the next leg while still running on current one? Do you think If you do, it results in time loss? Or has an opposit effect?

I try to look/plan ahead to future legs if running along on an easy part of the current leg. I don't really think it has affected my time one way or another. I'm still painfully slow either way ;-) One thing it does is allow you to punch and blow right out of the control, avoiding tipping off competitors to the location as you stand there plotting your next move.

As far as memorizing the map, I try to remember the major features on the way into the control (or on the way to my attack point), as well as the control feature and any catching features. Usually I look and check on my progress when moving through easier terrain. And yes, being overconfident on certain maps has become a problem. I have to make sure to double check things when I think I know where I'm going. I actually do the best on maps I've never seen before.

I try to look ahead and plan if I can. Out west it's pretty easy to do while on a huge hill climb. It's harder to do without slowing down in faster terrain. I think it pays off the most in route planning for the long route choice legs. If I can get these planned out ahead of time, I tend to put the full effort into finding the best route. If I wait until I'm on that leg, I'm more likely to rush the thinking process and miss important route info. Often, when I get a chance to look ahead I don't just look at the next leg. I look for the most difficult leg and start planning that one.