Training Log Archive: davelevine

Event: QOC Fountainhead
 

Blue - 7.3 km; 19 controls; 355 m

Actual Distance Traveled: 10.5 km
Actual Climb: 380 m

By no means a perfect day of orienteering but I am happy more or less with the outcome. I found all the controls although there were quite a few that I had to circle around for once I got close to them.

I didn't pick a good approach for the 3rd control (110) and wound up having to cut through some very thick foliage before I found it. Even once I got within the general area of it I wasn't sure how close I was to it until I spotted some other orienteers who found it when they were within my eye sight.

I completely botched the 19th control (136). I should have approached it from the cemetery, Instead I tried taking the back alley approach and wound up in a maze of little trails. It wasn't until I realized that I was heading north instead of south that I knew I was headed in the wrong direction and had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. I probably lost 5 or more minutes thanks to my bright idea.

I also was not in as good of shape as I usually am. I need to do more walking or bicycling and build back up my energy levels or stamina for longer courses like this one.

The weather was very nice, cooler than usual for this time of year. Considering how long it took me to finish the course I was very glad to have water and snack food with me. I'm sure that both of these helped.

Control Pickup
9 Controls; 3.4 km

Actual Distance Traveled: 4.8 km

Controls in the order the I picked them up: 124, 126, 121, 120, 116, 113, 110, 115, 118

Total Time: 1:46:21
Moving Time: 1:26:02

I was worn out after walking the blue course. I managed to pick probably the most difficult section of controls to pickup. I had to stop at each control to pick it up plus I stopped at least 3 more times to have a bite of a granola bar and a drink of water, hence the big difference between total and moving time: about 20 minutes.

115 was supposed to be a water control but there weren't any water jugs or cups when I arrived at this control. 118 was a water control, there wasn't any water left but there were plenty of cups to clean up plus 2 empty 1 - gallon water jugs.

The only pleasant surprise was that I found 110 much easier than I did when I was walking the blue course and didn't have to force my way through any think vegetation to get to it.

Based on the course descriptions for this event this was probably about as difficult as the brown course.

Blue - Splits

Walk along Sligo and Long Branch creeks