Discussion: In good company

There were 9 DNF from 29 starters. I don't feel quite so bad.

I have DNF'd at West Point more than once! Kudos for giving it a go.

I had a DNF on this same map 10+ years ago, although for pretty different reasons

I can't imagine trying to get through this green course. The brown course was quite physical and I doubt I could have gone much longer without a serious bonk. I don't usually carry food but I think something would have been necessary for this course.

Kudos to the young girls vying for JWOC spots for rocking the course.

Winning time 82 minutes?!? Epic fail, 'course consultant'. You're fired. Good on you for giving it a go.

I agree that it's on the long side. But I know that the course was designed to mimic what the women will see at JWOC this summer so I'm willing to give the course setter and consultant a little slack on this one. I think it was more a case of trying to make a single course serve too many purposes than of the course not being of appropriate length and difficulty. Doesn't help the people that had to do the course but I think that is what happened.

I guess I just don't belong at West Point as I am neither young nor very good at orienteering---unless I adjust my expectations to just "have a good time" and be a supportive member of the team. That doesn't seem too probable (the support thing, no problem of course.) it's the pesky ego that won't allow me to feel fine about the fact I went out there and gave it a shot--not finishing really feels sucky. But thank you everyone for your kind words!

It can take years to "get" West Point terrain, and even then it's not an easy place... the fact that different areas there have very different mapping styles doesn't help. You can figure out one type of map simplification and then be faced with a new one the next day.

I never go out there expecting to win... I try to enjoy the unique beauty of this terrain which few people will ever get to see.

I think without my physical issue, I would have finished but it would not have been pretty.

I do think a different long course for the JWOC women may have been warranted.