Orienteering race (US Night-O Champs -- Red) 1:16:57 [0] **** 5.21 mi (14:46 / mi) +934ft 12:38 / mi
spiked:16/18c shoes: Innov8 Bare Grip 200
So, my first US champs in a year, and it happens to be the night champs. I like night O, so this should be fun. We arrived in Cincinnati and are taking our time, doing a little shopping, etc... then what time is it.... with the time change, a few of us were off an hour. I wasn't too concerned, because I thought the drive would be 20 minutes and we had 1:15 to get there. Well... it took us 15 minutes just to get on the interstate, 30+ to get to the area and a few more to get to the parking area... Nothing like showing up to a big event 15 minutes prior to your start... :-0 Luckily, we had the Silver Bullet, and I was all prepped as I jumped out the door and immediately converted to warm up mode.
Control #1... wasn't supposed to be a punch, but was... hmmm... took a slow jog to the control to see what the course had in store for me.
#2... decent speed to the road, but hesitated on which direction to adjust for my attackpoint. Remembered to breath, then adjusted to the dark and headed to my attack point and right at the control. At this point, early in the event, there were lights everywhere in the woods. Glad I didn't do my usual panicked follow.
#3 Still getting on the map. I was counting trails, hills, creeks... then realized I could just bomb to the road, good attackpoint is there. Just execute.
#4 Easy road run
#5 A little in decisive as to whether I should go straight on, or use the roads and avoid the elevation. I told myself... you aren't running Orange, man-up, and went direct. Unable to avoid the thick stuff which cost me a bit.
#6 The best laid plans.... and a parallel error. Everyone took this route, I messed it up. Biggest mistake of the night. I willed the trail to be there, it was... but so was another. 50/50/90 rule.. Even so, dumb mistake as both were mapped. Ran in to Erin, and did my usual... Where are we?
#7-9 Close controls and good fun. A few controls from other courses around also, but didn't get baited in.
#10 Bingo control. 4 depressions, below a pile of brush. A few lights milling about. I nailed the control, which brought everyone else in. Some minor acrobatics required just to punch. Difficult control just to extricate from.
#11 Straight forward execution. Long leg with no issues.
#12-15 No issues, except the liberal use of pit, small and regular depression. I couldn't tell the difference.
#16 Easy peasy, but saw a person coming at me from the control. Punched and then looked at the route. Was getting a little tired of the brambles, so followed the other person out.
#17 Maybe not the most efficient route, but it worked. Mid pack by doing the "orange course" road run.
#18 Had already run by the finish control 2 times, so no surprises here.
A nice hilly course. Just one major nav error and one minor. Fitness more the issue than map reading. One nasty cut on the head, which is par for the course.