Training Log Archive: MJChilds

Was having a PERFECT RUN until . . .I got to within about 250 m of #9 and I lost it. To get so close and then blow it was maddening. I saw the trail I had wanted at the "end" of the driveway, it just didn't feel like my trail, so I opted for an alternate route using the yellow field (where the finish chute was). I just headed straight across the field, blundering in grand style before the crowds of onlookers, not checking my compass and feeling like I was dead on. Until I got to the end and the trail I wanted was just a little bit off to the left and then a stone wall appeared, along with a steep hill and some houses. . .I relocated on the big reentrant and then had to rerun through the field and get back on course. The worst part was that I was about 2 min ahead of Natalia D. before my mistake and I lost the championship by about 1.5 min. It would have been one of the highlights of my orienteering career.

I'm still glad that I did so well on the course up until that point, could have had a better route choice on 6-7, but I hit every control almost dead on. I was worried about the complexity of the terrain and the thick vegetation, so I took it very slowly which paid off. I also used subtle terrain features for control extension that helped.

Great weather, lots of fun. Great event by CSU.

C • Still... good race and time! 1

Brown Middle - Splits

CSU Sprint at Franklin Park in Boston. Had a pretty good run with only a few bobbles. Was looking forward to this event because this is a Frederick Law Olmsted park and I would get to experience it as only an orienteer can. I LOVED having a control in the corner of a former animal cage/pen from the old Franklin Park Zoo.

The course was surprisingly technical and tricky for a park-O, but I liked it.

Great course. Fun event.

Brown Sprint - Splits

Vigorous walk w/ Lucy over to Rec path and nature trail. Collected lots of beautiful red, orange, coral, yellow, and chartreuse leaves to bring home for the dining room table. Thought I'd run today but didn't get to it. At least I walked. :)

Ran Gov Chittenden Rd. w/ Carl and Andrew, all at our own paces, of course. Having not been out much lately, and been sick on for a couple of days, it was hard work. Have been down in the dumps about my car situation, one of several situations over which I seem to have no control these days. It looks like we've found the car I want and I can finally get rid of the awful beast that has been an albatross around my neck for the past year and a half. Once I can get the car situation behind me, I feel like I can finally tackle the many other things that need to be addressed. Have to crawl out of this hole. . . I may or may not go back and log my activities of the past couple of weeks. Haven't even looked at AP for a while. Will try and rally for the weekend in Boston. Last weekend at the Boulder Dash in Concord was beautiful and it lifted my spirits greatly.

C • Good to hear from you again! 3