Orienteering race 2:40:00 [4]
A long, physical Runt - only 1/2 of Grunt though. They left 30+ minutes earlier, doing tough Greensfelder course before joining us on Rockwoods map.
Snow pretty firm for good grip, sunny with temp from 30--> 40F. The warmest 35 I've ever experienced. Shed one layer just before start. Shed light-weight windbreaker out of #8. 2 shirts just right and wish I hadn't put on tights today. No gloves and feet stayed warm.
Overall, very pleased with 'run'. 3rd overall in Runt. Spike won by about 40 minutes. At last control, #20, before climb and road run to Finish, I was about 1 minute behind Yvonne and 1 minute ahead of Tim G. Both gaps increased significantly. 4th was well-back.
2 skips allowed. Spike and I skipped 9 & 13. Pilar skipped 13 & 20. Yvonne did double skip of 16 & 17. I forget Tim's skip (in middle 9&10?).
Spike and Tim had very fast start (got to #1 together, then Spike took off). I planned possible skips on road run to #1: I liked 9, 13, and 19; didn't see 16 &17 possibility. Stopped map study just in time as 2 adventure racers started uphill on road (why?). Yvonne stopped behind me but was looking left, why? (Turns out she got Grunt B map - same as Runt except extra control #1. Puzzled as to why all of us were skipping #1, she skipped it, then later noticed that each control was 1-off. I'm impressed that sure figured out map error, thus realizing that she still had 2 skips left!)
Pilar stayed on my heels through #8 - I'd get a lead, hesitate, and there she was again - I maintained focus well. I skipped #9, she didn't. 3 options: red-line 8-9 with two major climbs; 8-10 north with one major climb then road; 8-10 NE with one minor climb and very long trail/road run. I chose third, second was probably best, but I need to check splits. Solo until nearing #14, but footprints in snow were always there - Spike's or control hanger's mostly. Great confidence booster but also, "Is this best?" Met Grunt runner while slightly confused at triple spur junction. He said I startled him - but he didn't seem as bothered by coyote he'd just jumped, 20' away. "How did he catch me?". I chose correct spur, looked over shoulder and he was gone (turns out he was on way to #10.) Saw Dave Frei just after I punched #14. I thought Grunt might catch Runt, but this seemed a bit early. He said, "I'm beat." I said "Oomph" - slipped on stick under snow. Turns out he was on way to #9, not #14 (he later missed #14 badly - over-confident). Tim G saw me at 16 and caught me at 17 (my 1-minute error). I was slightly faster but couldn't shake him - did not want 'sprint' finish. On start of climb to #20, I saw Yvonne just ahead (thought she was Emily on Grunt - impressed!). When she turned right, I knew where pit was, Tim just behind. Nice 2-3-4 tight Finish.
On way home, I realized, Y has a sauna! I'd never stopped there for sauna only, but sauna and hot shower felt great! After two hard days at R&G, legs feel best they have in 2 months!
No O' mistakes except for #17 and a few hesitations. 8-10 route choice may have cost some time. Until last climb, I had a good second wind in 2nd half. Used Camel-back; drank 8 oz at #11; and half of protein bar.