Orienteering race 23:21 [4] * 3.1 km (7:32 / km)
spiked:14/16c shoes: Inov8 - Xtalon 212
A very fun sprint course designed by Pat Meehan.
Course 2:
1-5. a nice opening. not too challenging navigationally (but some nice options getting to #2). These controls gave me time to settle into a rhythm.
6-8. I had a small mistake on the way to #6 because I had drifted south and did not find the little connector trail near the road sign. I had to bushwhack through the green to get to the trail, and then follow it to the ruin. (BTW, the vinca in that section is gorgeous.) Having messed up at #6, I was a bit flustered going into #7 and didn't have an exit strategy. When I punched #7, I had no idea where #8 was. Thinking that much of the course was still North of me, I stepped down to the bike trail and started walking up it to regroup. Stupid. My next leg was in the totally opposite direction! So I went back, passed #7 again, and bushwhacked through the green to the road on the way to #8. This was my biggest mistake of the night and probably cost me ca. 15 seconds.
8-9. Pat artfully set up the classic decision here: direct way through green versus a safe but seriously long detour. I opted for the green route, which, in retrospect, I don't regret. I took a very direct line, but felt a little slow through the woods. Face-high nettles didn't encourage me. I probably could have sprinted around the woods a few seconds faster, but would have been completely exhausted on reaching #9. No regrets.
10-F. A barrage of controls along the river, some in very pretty locations. Of course, I was too tired to really appreciate them fully. The leg from 16 to the finish was very well-set: several fence-related decision needed to be made quickly at a time when runners were completely drained mentally.
Very fun course.