Orienteering race (NAOC-Long Orange) 1:00:00 [4] 3.8 km (15:47 / km)
Challenging terrain.
#1 was 4:08. Could have been halved, but confirmed each intersection.
#3 Did not pay good attention to surroundings and probably ran by a depression without noting it.
#4 hidden in draw at northern end of marsh. Found site alright, but questioned if I was there. If I had actively looked for point straight off, would have saved at least 90 seconds.
#5 Took trail, but was sloppy and ended up heading west before I meant to. Caught myself and turned north on trail. Was slow on trail because I questioned where I was going. Split: 9:22.
#6 Easiest point on course, but made mental error. Noticed on map that point was at end of marsh and beginning of stream. Saw that vegetation in marsh ended sharply and assumed that was the end of the marsh, so I spent five minutes looking in the wrong spot for my point. Saw another orienteer heading in the general direction of my point and realized my mistake. I was about 75m from the end of the marsh. Cost me 5 minutes.
#7 Did not have an attack point. Catching feature was the water, but there were so many little points of damp that I was unsure of my location to the left or right of the point. Had to "explore" for quite a bit before I cam across it. Next time, aim left to hit distinct body of water ~100m out, then keep going left until next body. Finally, cut in right. (Jess's suggestion.)
Course definitely could have gone better. Don't second guess myself unless given reason. (I.e. Trust past decisions.) Pay attention to what I pass (collecting features) and set attack points.