Really great job. Running paying off, or just solid O?
Some of both, I suppose. The "solid O" was helped by several things: 1 - amazing visibility in woods (controls were beacons), 2 - the map was not cluttered with lots of dark green and other annoying colors, so I could actually read it easily and 3 - the north south lines were actually visible (unlike Rutgers Preserve) and thus I had confidence in my bearings. Conditioning was a small factor - I did feel pretty strong, but I think that was because my coach told me not to do any speed work on Fridays. :)
Also: wore my O shoes instead of my Salomons.
Our routes were pretty identical although I went straight to 6 and cut some other corners. I had a two minute error and a minute due to falling but even so you would have creamed me. So I think it is definitely fitness: but, specifically, being able to run in the woods and not having that use up so much that you can no longer navigate. Kudos!