Training Log Archive: GlenT

Event: DVOA Hickory Run Sand Spring
 

Day 2 at Hickory Run. Another 3-hour Score-O, this one using the Sand Spring Lake and Gould Run maps. Gould Run is a bit further away than Shades of Death, but there were two connector options, dictated by OOB areas and safety considerations. One connection was similar to the SoD connection from yesterday but required a 10+ contour climb to get to the part of the Gould Run map where all but one of the controls were. The other connection involved crossing about 700m of the 1:15000 Hickory Run map, which had no controls on it (we had a copy of the relevant portions of the three maps showing how they connected). Gould Run had 13 controls and SSL had 17.

I started out across the SSL map heading generally WNW towards Gould Run, picking up controls on the way. Things went quite well and after crossing Hickory Run I did the loop of 6 controls in the west part of the map (which has somewhat more open woods than the central portion of the map). I reached the westernmost control on SSL in about an hour, having visited 10 controls. I traversed the 1:15000 map to get to Gould Run, skirting along the OOB area so I knew right where I was when I crossed the road.

Gould Run has different vegetation than the other Hickory Run maps, with lots of more open areas and mapped vegetation boundaries. I visited controls 69 and 67 without issue but on my way to 68 I got confused by the open areas (i.e. I was not matching the map and terrain very well). I spent 10-15 minutes searching for 68 but never saw the obvious (on the map) attackpoint (clearing next to a trail) in the terrain. Decided to move on without finding 68 although my GPS track has me passing through the circle. Picked up 73 and 72, using the conveniently located switchback trail to descend 14 contours. When I punched at 72 almost exactly 2 hours had elapsed, so It was time to head back. I picked up 5 controls along the southern portion of the SSL map on the way in for a total of 19, good for 3rd for the day (another team also had 19 but I finished 30 seconds ahead of them - always sprint to the finish!). Second overall for the combined 2-day with 39, far behind Sam K's 50.

Thanks to Sandy for all the time and effort she put into setting this up and thanks to the many others who pitched in and helped.

Event: DVOA Hickory Run Sand Spring
 

3-hour Score-O at Hickory Run SP using Sand Spring Lake and Shades of Death maps. Mass start at 3pm. 30 possible controls (17 on SSL, 13 on SoD), each worth 1 point. Because of OOB areas, the connection between the two maps was a corridor along Rt. 534. In addition to control flags, vetting streamers were left in place (hung high) so it was easy to spot some of the control locations from a distance. We got the maps about 10 minutes before the start so were able to do a little planning. Temperature was in the low 70s. It sprinkled a bit while I was on the SoD map but apparently showered more on the SSL map since the woods were noticeably wetter there.

I've been on the Sand Spring map several times so decided to focus on the SoD map, plus there was a group of 7 controls fairly tightly spaced at the far end of the map. Navigation went well with misses on only two controls (~7 min on 53 and ~1 min on 43.). Some sub-optimal routes through green stuff, mostly into and out of 58. Did all but 2 controls on SoD (skipped 59 and 60) which involved navigation around and through mountain laurel, which I didn't think was the best use of my time. Control order: 36-37-39-56-55-52-49-50-51-53-54-58-57-40-41-43-42-38-35-33. A bit of a strategic error in that I passed close to 55 and 56 (because I changed my planned route from 54-58) after I had already visited them. Fourth overall with 20 controls (Sam K - 28, Vadim - 26, Wyatt - 20 (in <2hrs)).

Walking Purchase Park. Rock garden practice. Plus some hills.

At Thomas Iron Site. Checking out trail mapping in one area - probably needs a few updates. Verifying control locations.

Much less smoky today. Low 70s.

Ran the longer of the two courses, with the advantage of having been to all the control sites and also having pondered route choices. Much less map reading than I would have to do if I was seeing the course for the first time. Ran fairly hard and only real mistake was visiting control 8 when I was headed to 3 - it was on the way so I only lost about 30 seconds. Course may be a bit on the long side (2.6k straight line). I did take a couple of routes which I know were longer options.

Air Quality Index has been rising all day (high is bad). Currently over 400 at 5pm, i.e. "Hazardous". There will be no outside exercise today.

Nockamixon. Eastern Woods, Jaywalk, South Park, 2x Haycock, all clockwise. Plus Cold Spot ccw. Low 70s.