Discussion: Yep
in: WileyKyO-T; WileyKyO-T > 2014-09-29
Oct 1, 2014 8:13 AM
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I have three main questions at this point:
1. Is it advisable to run a rogaine without a lot of recent orienteering practice? I would have a couple weeks still to work in some technical practice on my own, but nothing competitive and probably just on 1:25k. I am weighing the convenience aspect of a meet only an hour away with concerns over whether I would be adequately prepared. I wouldn't run a marathon tomorrow, but is a 10 hour on-foot rogaine the orienteering equivalent of a marathon, or is it something more common to do at any stage of an orienteering training plan?
2. Any tips on planning a number and order of points to collect, or are there different schools of thought? Not sure I have a framework for gauging how ambitious or cautious to be.
3. Ideas on a rough packing list--no GPS allowed, a first aid kit and 40oz of water are required, obviously a primary and alternate compass and markers, but beyond that, I'm not sure what nutrition and equipment would be most helpful. Fruit? Goo gels? Weather gear?
I know these are some very broad questions, but I appreciate any advice.
1. Is it advisable to run a rogaine without a lot of recent orienteering practice? I would have a couple weeks still to work in some technical practice on my own, but nothing competitive and probably just on 1:25k. I am weighing the convenience aspect of a meet only an hour away with concerns over whether I would be adequately prepared. I wouldn't run a marathon tomorrow, but is a 10 hour on-foot rogaine the orienteering equivalent of a marathon, or is it something more common to do at any stage of an orienteering training plan?
2. Any tips on planning a number and order of points to collect, or are there different schools of thought? Not sure I have a framework for gauging how ambitious or cautious to be.
3. Ideas on a rough packing list--no GPS allowed, a first aid kit and 40oz of water are required, obviously a primary and alternate compass and markers, but beyond that, I'm not sure what nutrition and equipment would be most helpful. Fruit? Goo gels? Weather gear?
I know these are some very broad questions, but I appreciate any advice.
Oct 1, 2014 2:46 PM
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1. You'll be fine - 10 hours is very doable, you don't have to run it all. Do not expect an orienteering-quality map. USGS with maybe some added trail detail is likely. Plan for a scale around 1:25,000 or 1:30,000. Think big features - rogaine controls are usually hung to be visible, too.
2. I prefer to figure out how far I plan to go, cut a string to scale to measure straight line distances, and use that with a mapboard and alcohol pens to draw out possible routes. In open terrain with pine woods, I usually plan 4km/hr in daylight, 1.5-2 at night, and 2.5-3 the next morning depending on my current fitness. I have jogged most of the day, walked nights, and jogged the next morning on all my 24 hour events, usually prepped with a marathon plan when I was serious about it, but not always.
3. I prefer to eat real food. Chees sandwiches and shortbread, pretzels, salty nuts...it has taken 10 years to recover from the one I did on Gu and Cliff Bars - just the thought made me feel I'll for he longest time. Good headlamp plus hand flashlight with powerful beam. Foot care kit and change of socks. Food. Lots. Space blanket is usually on req'd item list, too.
What else?
2. I prefer to figure out how far I plan to go, cut a string to scale to measure straight line distances, and use that with a mapboard and alcohol pens to draw out possible routes. In open terrain with pine woods, I usually plan 4km/hr in daylight, 1.5-2 at night, and 2.5-3 the next morning depending on my current fitness. I have jogged most of the day, walked nights, and jogged the next morning on all my 24 hour events, usually prepped with a marathon plan when I was serious about it, but not always.
3. I prefer to eat real food. Chees sandwiches and shortbread, pretzels, salty nuts...it has taken 10 years to recover from the one I did on Gu and Cliff Bars - just the thought made me feel I'll for he longest time. Good headlamp plus hand flashlight with powerful beam. Foot care kit and change of socks. Food. Lots. Space blanket is usually on req'd item list, too.
What else?
Oct 5, 2014 5:42 AM
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Wow, thanks, that information should be really helpful. Those all sound like valuable tips; I especially like the string/mapboard/planning pace idea. I've decided to go for it. The only other questions I can think of, then, are what was the biggest thing you wish you'd known going into your first rogaine, and is there any one particular orienteering skill you find you use disproportionally on rogaines, or are the navigational challenges usually pretty well balanced? On the surface it seems like the controls being hung to be visible would favor rough compass work, but then given the distances and map fidelity maybe that doesn't make it as easy as it sounds. I wonder if I should walk to the first point to calibrate my understanding of map scale vs. distance and time.
Oct 9, 2014 1:00 AM
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Wish I'd known...don't just eat bars and Gu. I had no idea I could run so well on real food. I've done both water and Gook/Gatorade, just water is fine if you're eating well.
Skill - pace count to measure distance is essential. The scale may screw with you, particularly in the dark. Navigate by BIG - REALLY BIG - features...not nuanced precision map by any account. Rough compass will help. But yes, recommend being cautious (jog is fine) and nailing that first control.
With your navigation skills, you can even walk and still beat many other teams. You should have seen the faces of the adults who got beat by Jon/Petie and me/Anna at our last rogaine...helps when you know where you're going.
Leave yourself some flexibility at the end. Draw time phase lines marking where you want to be each hour; if you're ahead or behind, have a plan to extend or cut short your course. Save a few controls near the end in case you have lots of extra time.
If you pair with Keith, consider taking turns navigating. One leads with the map, the second keeps pace count, plans the next leg, and backs up the leader's navigation. When you get to the control, punch, then switch roles. It's hard to stay focused for that period time - you need some time to just tuck in behind your partner and drone for a bit.
Fun stuff - have a great time!
Skill - pace count to measure distance is essential. The scale may screw with you, particularly in the dark. Navigate by BIG - REALLY BIG - features...not nuanced precision map by any account. Rough compass will help. But yes, recommend being cautious (jog is fine) and nailing that first control.
With your navigation skills, you can even walk and still beat many other teams. You should have seen the faces of the adults who got beat by Jon/Petie and me/Anna at our last rogaine...helps when you know where you're going.
Leave yourself some flexibility at the end. Draw time phase lines marking where you want to be each hour; if you're ahead or behind, have a plan to extend or cut short your course. Save a few controls near the end in case you have lots of extra time.
If you pair with Keith, consider taking turns navigating. One leads with the map, the second keeps pace count, plans the next leg, and backs up the leader's navigation. When you get to the control, punch, then switch roles. It's hard to stay focused for that period time - you need some time to just tuck in behind your partner and drone for a bit.
Fun stuff - have a great time!
Oct 9, 2014 1:20 AM
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Thanks Ma'am! I will try to keep all of those tips in mind. It sounds exhausting and fun at the same time, and I'm looking forward to it.
Keith is unavailable for this event, but I will be running it with another USMAOC alum. Matt Luehrmann and I will be team "Old Grads". Somehow it seems a little less daunting with a teammate.
Keith is unavailable for this event, but I will be running it with another USMAOC alum. Matt Luehrmann and I will be team "Old Grads". Somehow it seems a little less daunting with a teammate.
This discussion thread is closed.