Georgia Day 1, Bert Adams Scout Camp, middle
This went better than I expected, but not as well as I wanted. As I warmed up, I realized that I was not in orienteering shape, I hadn't been in a competition in a long time and my map reading and mental habits were rusty. My goal for the day was to "read the map".
I felt OK physically and was able to move well through the nice woods. Things seemed a bit off on the first few markers and I doubted myself a few times, but kept moving. Until 3 where I was right on track, saw my marker but also saw another one that seemed to make more sense and I stupidly went there first.
As I was going from 4 to 5, I took a glance at the next leg. I knew that straight was probably the best choice but somehow in my brain the gully looked bigger and longer and I decided ahead of time I had to run southeast around the gully and then up to the marker. When I got close to 5 I was surprised to see MeanGene (who had started before me). I told myself not to get thrown off or think about him, just punch and run SE. So I did, never looking at the map again to see that the gully was not an issue and I was making a stupid error.
I was lucky it was a short leg so I didn't lose much time, but I'm disappointed in how my brain functioned (or really, didn't) on 3 and 6.
I'm probably the only person who rested at the Go control before the run in :) I had fun sprinting, I haven't sprinted in months. Hope my finish chute time holds up well among the USMAOC cadets.
Bummer of the day was that MeanGene pulled a hamstring, wasn't able to finish the course, and will not be running day 2 and 3. This was his first time at the GAOC event and he was looking forward to the competition in the nice woods.
Nice dinner at a Thai place (Bangkok Cafe) with Cristina and Gene. And I almost forgot, we started the day with a visit to the camera museum, which was interesting and just the right amount of touristing.