Training Archive: RosstopherIn the 7 days ending 2008-04-26:
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Sunday Apr 20 | ||
| orienteering race 41:04 [5] 6.4 km (6:25 / km) | |
| CSU Relay - 4 point team. A really excellent course, certainly was an ideal way to end a gorgeous weekend. The location and the field controls made for a truly memorable and enjoyable experience. Lots of stress to perform well in front of (adoring fans) spectators made for an extra challenge and a good training for bigger races ( I know what you're thinking, what could be bigger than US relay champs? )
The race started with what I heard someone describe as "kicking over an ant hill" as the first leg runners poured out of the chute and up the hillside to numerous different controls with some young legs leading the way and a cadet succeeding in grabbing the dollar off the dummy. Brendan had sagely provided us with a megaphone and CSU did our very best to put it to good use, lots of heckling some scattered sporadic encouragements ( mostly to our own orange and blue). We waited eagerly as some speedy 8 point teams rocked the first leg, and the junior relays were concluded with flair and style. Some of the junior juniors pulled double-shifts and came back for more in the Sr Sr relay. The first four point teams came back through the field ( Wil Smith chasing down Lazlo) with a couple more canadians ( the incredible Kempster) and Wyatt not far behind. and we cheered loudly ( the megaphone helped) when Brendan and Jon Campbell ( much loved former CSU member) appeared. Brendan's start put Alex Jospe in a good position racing in her home park. With various foreign entities in front of us we were focusing primarily on DVOA and USMAOC black and Alex did a great job, passing Tori Campbell ( much loved former CSU member) and making up a few seconds on the DVOA team. She tagged off to Peter and we watched the old goat head out after a very hairy goat ( Greg Balter) with a lonestar goat right behind ( Michael Norris). Balter charged ahead with a very speedy time and Michael zipped past PG in the final loop, and I tagged off about 1:35 ( by my watch) behind Jordan Laughlin. I was super nervous about needing to chase Jordan down. He had very nearly beaten me in the billygoat ( would have too, if he had skipped any controls) and there was a lot of field running and I didn't know how my fitness was going to match up in the open. I got off to a quick start and then messed up the 2nd control, running to the wrong veg edge. embarrassed to have messed up in clear view of everyone and counting how much time I still needed to make up I ran up to the road crossing and charged up the hill to what I will refer to as "control number 4" sadly "control number 4" was really control number 14, and when I checked the code I experienced panic. and lot's of it. It took me a bunch of rational thought to figure out that I needed to unfold my map and run to the other control. Yikes, I wasn't thinking properly yet and ran headlong towards 5, which got me lots of extra up and down, but also got me a good look at contols 10, and 11. I settled down after 5, and had a very good race after that point. I did hesitate coming into 13, because I thought I was looking for a spur, and so was trying to run uphill to my control. But since I was running in the right direction I was okay. I never saw Jordan out in the woods, but I heard his team cheering for him as I left the fields in the middle loop. knowing that I was ahead helped me relax, and ensured that I didn't make any goofs in the end section. We finished 2nd US, third ( or 4th depending on what you count) overall. With DVOA capturing top honors. But props go out to Wil and Kata for running two legs each and winning overall. Almost as impressive as when Will Hawkins won by himself at beaverbrook :) our 8 point team was also quite awesome. highlighted by a stellar run by Ian Smith, and also runs by Sara Mae Berman, Lori Huberman, and Ken Sr. Tio Mila is the next venue for CSU relay awesomeness :) | ||
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