Training Log: Nadim

From Northfield Rd., to the Bethesda Metro Station. There was a slight tailwind. I mostly kept a step ahead of traffic that kept popping-up.

From the Bethesda Metro Station, to Northfield Rd., then back, then back to Northfield Rd. I got all the way home when I realized I didn't have my keys. I headed back and found them in the lock of my locker--whew! I took it easier heading back. It was cold with a headwind. My head hurt for a little while afterward.

Event: QOC Seneca Creek Smokey Glen
 

Smokey Glen Farm and Seneca Creek State Park, MD. I went back and forth from the event center on Smokey Glen Farm, to a remote start. Initially, this was to streamer the way there. I had forgotten to bring an extra roll. Using it sparingly, I ran out just as I finished :), After returning, I went out with Don Fish's daughter and son-in law, again to help setup the radio controls for display results.

From Riffle Ford Rd., I picked-up 6 controls in Seneca Creek State Park, and then got the remainder of the streamers leading to the remote start of the QOC event. It was cool out but I was well dressed. It felt good to get moving even though the part that I was picking-up was not the nicest of the terrain.

Much to my relief and happiness, the event occurred with few problems. I did hear of some people discovering wire fencing near a control, and we could have used more help on the relay but we did really well for a lower key event. The Smokey Glen Farm facility, a place I'd envisioned using +4 years earlier turned out to be very good for the event. I hope we get to use it again. A night-o there would be a lot of fun! While the terrain was not highly technical, and had it's ups and downs, the proximity to the Mid-Atlantic Clubs and our local QOC members made it pretty good too. We did have some unfortunate timing with a large ROTC orienteering event going on the same weekend. With it being cold out, and being close to the holidays, I'm sure some who would have come, did not. Still, we had over 200 people on the courses.

Seneca Creek State Park. From Riffle Ford Rd., I started setting controls with Don Fish. Don too the east side while I covered the west. It was cold and I must have been moving slowly. Don finished before me but my side being greener may have had some to do with that.

Seneca Creek State Park. From Germantown Rd. (MD Rte. 118), I set out more controls. Starting out with a gallon of water and cups, and 13 control stands, I navigated without compass or map most of the time. The terrain is not very difficult but I'm also very familiar with it now. I was getting tired. At one point, I left a control without picking up the remaining control stands. I realized it when I got to the next control. I ran back and forth and ultimately decided to hang the one I was at without any stand. It would have saved me time an distance if I'd decided that earlier. Later, on a very nice ridge, I saw a flock of about 20 wild turkeys. They ran from me but weren't especially afraid. They stayed within site as I setup another control.

Seneca Creek State Park. From Germantown Rd. (MD Rte. 118), I set out water and cups for the Mid-Atlantic Championships. I had 5 gallons, which, with my back problems was taking a risk. When my original back problems (already in progress) emerged, it was when I lugged 8 gallons out +1 mile over steep terrain for the US Ultra-Long Champs. I also had to improvise with leftover grocery bags still in my cark, for water stop garbage containers.

Seneca Creek State Park. From Colton Rd., I set out water and cups for the Mid-Atlantic Championships. Had I had more time to make course adjustments for what I'd seen in the forest, I would have moved this control higher up, and away from the main gully. I hadn't realized it was going to be so visible until after I'd submitted courses for initial reviews. However, I also wanted to keep the course distances down.