No start box this weekend, so flip and figure it out. Which took a while, that is a good size sheet of paper!
Finally got going, but some trails were harder to follow, so already on #1 I jumped into the horse camp, then was good to #1. Got close to #2 and luckily found it - again, the big stuff is not too bad, but being accurate to the precise spots was a problem. AP shows an error but I think I was just generally cautious down the hill.
I took a very circuitous route to #4, but no AP error so maybe not too bad.
I took a gel preparing to wash it down at the #5 water stop, but the jugs I tried were frozen so I moved along. :)
Two issues to #7 - one, the horse trail sucked off an IceBug; I need to install some longer laces! Then I went up the correct hill, but managed to miss the pit, realized I overshot it, found the other pit, and then got it. Several minutes (3?) lost there - I should be less optimistic and work from shorter distances, like going through the nearby depression first.
#8 shows as an error, but I did nothing wrong, other than not taking the longer but flatter route. In the heat of battle, I briefly considered that, but ruled it out for some reason. I got an extra hill for my trouble.
Wandered a bit to #9 to avoid climb, probably did lose some time. Saw Damian fly by across wrapping up his Blue course. If I could run with a fraction of his power and conviction!!
I did not see the tiny gap in the impassable cliff by #10, so I went around. Comparable split to Igor, so okay.
#11 was my biggest stuff up of the weekend. I didn't realize it was pretty much on the reentrant / valley junction. Instead I marched way up the hill, close to someone's yard, came back STILL too high, then finally got low and was slightly helped by a Chicago? guy.
#12 I aimed off then tripped over it. Something in following my compass needs work!
#1 in the chute on red. But not overall, those blue folks are fast!
I'm a bit embarrassed by the mistakes. I think Igor's vast experience lets him come in smarter off less recent training. I should commit to some practice immediately before any big meets. Also, I should get thinner and fitter!
But, my ability to be born in the correct year trumps my orienteering, and I scored bronze in the US Champs for M35. woo woo!
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