Orienteering 1:15:57 [3] 6.93 km (10:57 / km) +180m 9:42 / km
ahr:134 max:158
US Champs Long at Sagehen, north of Truckee,. Start delayed by 90 minutes due to smoke from forest fires. About 75 degrees when I started at 11:40, and 80+ by the time I finished. Not as punishingly hot as yesterday, but still pretty hot for me which slows me down a lot.
Good run otherwise, technically much more challenging than yesterday at least #2 and #3. Terrain reminded me in some ways of Gotland in that forest was in part fairly featureless putting a premium on careful compass work and navigation from attackpoints.
Came in fourth in M55, which I am very pleased with given I am really not in shape, the heat, and I haven't raced properly in 2 years (since broke my foot in the Long US Championships in Big Basin Redwoods Sep 2019).
Spiked all the controls but lost 4-5 minutes (winsplits etc says 2 but I don't believe that) by getting well and truly stuck in a green thicket on way to #6.
#2 was a very long leg but without any route choice, which was a shame. I just aimed for the very distinct and curved slope about 400m before the control, impossible to miss and so ran for almost a mile more or less on compass alone. Then it was a matter of careful compass work from clearing to clearing, Gotland style, and I spiked it.
#3 challenged several people including Greg, I just ran back to my last attackpoint for #2 which was a distinct clearing half way to 3, then just compass in. Control was well hidden.
To #6 brain fog set in, should have been easy up the hill but for some reason I veered right and ended up in the green thicket, which really was thick. Lost the silver or bronze right there!
Overall very enjoyable and felt better physically than yesterday. Carolina picked me up, we had a very enjoyable time eating in Truckee and exploring the historic main street, then drive to SFO for redeeye back. And flying to Sweden together tonight!