Training Log Archive: bensmith

Event: GVOC WJR - Winter Warriors Series #2 - Cypress Falls
 

Event director for the Cypress Falls WJR. Also course planner, control-setter, equipment manager, control-collector.
https://gvoc.whyjustrun.ca/events/view/2689

Things that definitely went well:
* Courses got very good feedback. Only one complaint about the "down and up" for the final loop on Expert, but it would only be 2 contours on a "real map". No Elites complained about the 355m climb on a 6.4km course (WAY exceeding the 4% "don't be mean" guidance) - presumably I would have had more complaints if they weren't forewarned on the website.
* Everything opened on schedule, and ran very smoothly. Definitely helped by Jules' awesome registration team.
* Having a fillable waiver online seems to make things run much more efficiently.
* I managed to correctly upload everything to RouteGadget at the first attempt. First time that it's ever gone flawlessly!

Things that can be improved:
* My live results system was running, but I think only John connected. Possible reasons include: weather (nobody wants to get their phone out in the pouring rain), lack of advertising (only a single sign), lack of interest (can compare times by talking - it's a relatively small meet). It should see more action at Sprint Camp, as it will have live "best 4-of-5" results, which people can't calculate themselves.
* I should get better at asking people for help and/or we should have a better system for getting volunteers. I find it hard to ask people I barely know for help, even though I'm sure they would be more than willing to do it. This meet was mostly run by the Rennies and "people Ben has given rides to and owe him one". Maybe something as simple as a Google Doc for each event would be enough until something more official can be built?


Timeline:
6:00am: Leave home
6:40am: Set out 21 remaining controls, most of them needing grippling. Beat my usual 7 minutes/control estimate as the area is so compact.
9:00am: Set up arena with help from Jules, then Robyn and Greame.
9:20am: Registration opens. Earlier than expected, and before all the helpers have arrived. New helpers arriving while existing helpers are dealing with runners made for a sub-optimal transition. Jules (membership lead) plans to make little cards for subsequent events so helpers can get up-to-speed more easily.
9:45am: First starts (earlier than expected, but good to get people out sooner rather than later)
11:00am: "Last start". Helpers, latecomers, and split-start parents start up to 30 minutes later.
11:26am: First elite finisher returns. That took longer than expected...
1:00pm: Courses close, Robyn sets out to pick up controls, arena starts to be dismantled.
1:40pm: Last competitor returns. Download happens in the car.
2:30pm: Robyn brings back the last of her controls (3 loops!).
3:00pm: I set out to get the remaining 16 controls.
4:15pm: All controls in.
4:45pm: Call in to Tim Hortons to upload results.
5:00pm: Meet Scott to hand over SI stuff and laptop for Sprint Camp.
5:30pm: Finish putting everything away in the locker.
6:00pm: Return home, shower, hang flags to dry, set up routegadget, order pizza.

C • Thanks! 3

Control-setting for Cypress Falls WJR. Rookie mistake - forgot my headtorch so had to stop early. Extra loop to do in the morning!

Forest is not quite as pleasant as two weeks ago. Hopefully people aren't too angry about my assertions on the website that it is "very runnable"...