Orienteering race 1:17:35 [5] *** 4.2 km (18:28 / km) +170m 15:22 / km
ahr:131 max:173 spiked:7/9c slept:8.0
Day 1 of US Champs at Prince William Forest, QOC, Brown X course.
Lovely day, about 60 degees, slightly overcast, breezy.
Generally had a good run except for one control, number 6. Decided against the trail run to the tower, since the attack point was about 200 meters through green. Tried to follow a course that would avoid most of the green, but ending up hitting a wall of green. I thought I was higher up, and thought if only I went west and north, I would be able to slip around the patch of green. Instead, I kept going north, continually facing a wall of saplings which I thought were at least medium green. Instead it turned out to be mapped as light green. I finally saw the river with a log crossing it and realized where I was. Probably went about 200 meters back north instead of south towards the control. Once I figured where I was on the river, I followed the creek up to the dry marsh and then across. Probably a 12-13 minute error.
Otherwise, I was pleased with my navigation and running. However, that error dropped down to 5th place, about 15 min behind Rich Parker, 13 minutes behind Chuck Ferguson, and 11 minutes behind Fred Veler. Very unlikely I will get a medal, but it was fun anyway.
Actual distance ran was 6.1 km.
The day didn't start out that well, since I did the model event before my race. I actually could not find one of the controls, and since it was getting close to my start time, decided to bale out and head back. I think I must have run off the model map, since I really did not know where I was coming back.
The evening was pleasant. George, Dennis, and Dick Neuberger and I went out to a nice Italian restaurant, and then to the event at the Marines Memorial for the 40th birhtday of QOC.
Orienteering 30:00 [3]
Model event.
Went out to get a look at the terrain and type of mapping. Woods fairly thick. Never was able to find one of the controls, but it was getting close to my start time, so I did not bother to reorient and try to find it. I think I got confused by thinking a gulley marked with the brown line was the blue stream. I had not realized the gulley on the map at the time. Good learning point: all "streams" are not in blue. Did not know where I was on the map coming back until almost at the start/finish, but again, I was mainly interested in getting back rather than knowing exactly where I was. It was still a little disconcerting.