Orienteering race 1:30:30 [4] *** 6.94 km (13:02 / km)
spiked:7/14c shoes: Mudclaw O+340
West Point A-meet - Classic
I was much better prepared at the start for this one and was on the map immediately and confident on my first control. I never really had any major problems during this race - I knew I was always close to the flag - but I seemed to spend a lot of time around them. Numbers 3, 5, 6 and 8, all had 2 to 4 minute burps. I also had some trouble with the map at #7 and #8. It is mapped as white with some green, but the area seemed to be a bit more open rock. And the clue for #8 was a small boulder - but really all of the rock was part of the same ledge in that area. It didn't cost me too much time. My energy started to wane a bit going to #10. I tried, but could not keep up with Samantha going over the hill out of #9, and mentally the air went out of my tires. I stumbled the rest of the way in. The overall result was not too bad, but it could have been better.
I did, however, leave the event extremely happy. From #8 to #9 there was a short downhill section of 'cliff' to manage. I slid down a good portion on my behind and caught my wrist on some Mtn. Laurel on the way down. I felt like I had to adjust my clue card holder but that seemed to be the extent of the damage. Well, when I finished, I went to stop the time on my Forerunner and it wasn't on my wrist! I could not leave without at least trying to find it - so I trudged back up into the course, up a huge hill and up to what I thought was the place I slid down. After letting a couple runners by, I looked uninterrupted for 20 minutes. No luck. I decided to bag it and took a couple steps down the slope and there it was. Part of the clasp on the band was broken off, but other than that it looked to be in good condition.
The other interesting thing about the weekend was the amount of times that I was approached for help. I don't think I have ever been approached for help EXCEPT at the two meets (Surebridge and West Point) that I have been to in the Harriman region. I was asked 4 times this weekend to help locate someone. At least one time I was off the map myself.
It was a nice weekend and I think I had better overall results than last year at Surebridge. I will definitely want to come back next year (Spints are on the campus!)