orienteering race 1:26:37 [4] *** 5.7 km (15:12 / km) +160m 13:20 / km
16c shoes: Inov8 O-roc 280
DVOA Camp Delmont - Green
Oh, so much greener than yesterday's sublime forest. Unfortunately, since having foot and knee problems, I don't feel up to Ultralong right now. (And it's not my favorite format even on a good day.)
Halfway to 1 I realized I had never tied or pinned my gaiters, so I had to stop to at least tie them quickly (hard with gloves on). Kept seeing Olga throughout the course, usually coming into controls together and then routing differently. At the end she pulled away.No big problems with any controls, just winding my way through the deadfall, brush, and thorns. At one point I ran right through a thorny vine that was attached to the ground on both ends, bringing me to a sudden halt and digging in pretty deep to my thighs. Between 9 and 10 I passed through the cabin area, and a big German Shepherd came gallumphing over from the building. I just kept walking but he grabbed my entire left hand in his mouth, at which point I yelled "Hey!" very loudly and he retreated. I think he probably just wanted to play, but that was still pretty scary. I could feel the teeth.
Took a longer route around to 16 on the Southern road and went in and out from the field. Tired of green stuff by that point. Bloodiest I have been after a course in a while, but pretty unavoidable on this map.