Discussion: Emotional long races

I've totally been there. I'm really impressed you managed to make it around with that tumult in your head. You've been thrown into some tough situations, and the stress of last winter isn't something to disregard - it all affects you. I'm sorry you didn't make the JWOC team, but that doesn't mean that orienteering is over for you. Sometimes it takes a setback to bring out the best in you. Good luck with whatever happens next!

This made me so sad; I can totally put myself in your shoes. It's a very hard situation to go through. It sucks right now, but it'll get better, and you'll have more fun orienteering adventures ahead. You've shown you're a good orienteer, but this year just wasn't good for you for all the reasons you mention.
I wish you'd put in a petition for the WUOC Team. Student Champs are a blast. Might have been a good consolation prize.

Hey Mel, I know you're sad about that weekend, but time will heal the wounds, believe me. Take a (well deserved) break, give your body some rest from various injuries you've suffered from and clear your mind, even if it takes months.
Then, you'll come back stronger and faster. You'll prove the selection committee that they've made a mistake not taking you to Switzerland. Because that's how you are. You don't give up that that fast. You've shown it in the past and you'll do so in the future. :)

Well, I enjoyed meeting you and seeing you in the woods these past 2 weeks. Hang in there - we have so much potential in our juniors right now, and you are big part of that. You're right, this is an amazing community. When we come together, we bring out the best in each other. Being military, I have been so grateful for the clubs that have welcomed us with every move to a new duty station, and for the support network that extends well beyond training and O. Sometimes, we don't achieve the goals we set for ourselves, but you'll find a lot of support here for whatever new goals you set your sights on.

And way to stick with that long with all that going on in your mind!! See you in the woods

Thank you all for your kind words ♥
It's really nice to read your comments!

There's no way that I'm "done with orienteering", it is after all, the reason that I'm here in America to start with *Thanks dad*!
(And it's the "sport of a lifetime")

But I honestly am stumped with what to do for this summer... I already have signed up/ paid for a couple of international races.... But now I'm kinda thinking on dumping them and going to Bulgarian races instead...

Thoughts? Recommendations?

New challenges I'll have to face these upcoming months, but I'll get through them!

I'll be curious to see what you come up with. We're retiring from military life next year and plan to O though Europe all summer with the kids. The standards (Oringen, Swiss O week) all came highly recommended of course, but a bunch of people said look to Eastern Europe. Can't wait!