Enjoyed the "figure out the optimal route" score-O at Mendon;-)
Two "errors" that I'd take back if I could - didn't see control 4 down the hill as far on the map as it was, was helped into it by other racers. Tried to cut through after control 20 - it had been good all day, but that was not the spot to do so. Believe that was where Rob H passed me. (The plan was to cut through and take the left trail, but I would have been better served the other direction)
Kept catching up to Gil though the beginning, wasn't sure how that was happening, but I think I've got reasonable "through the wood" skills at this point. He finally lost me after control 7. (though looking at the map, I think the control was in the blip of woods between the circle for 11 and the pavilion. (guess we all had issues on control placement - the other placements didn't bother me;-)
Lesson learned for the day - I found and took to heart the posting about Thierry in worldofo -
http://news.worldofo.com/2007/11/27/gueorgious-sto...
Stop orienteering from where I am, and orienteer from where I want to be - and pick a path that allows me to run at full speed to that location.
(to a small extent, I think the A meet at surebridge may have hurt my confidence a whole lot and pulled me back from this sort of orienteering;-)
If you have not read parts one and two I recommend it.
I am certainly not near 10% in a footrace with Gil, Rob, or Randy;-) (and I don't care about mid-winter season for the runners - I've been slacking off even more)
I think I wasted little time at controls by planning ahead and knowing where I'm headed after, and my speed through the woods must have been comparable - the odd orienteering gait that is needed. From control 11 on it was a running race, though except for my poor route selection after control 20 it was reasonable.
This was a good morale booster for spring;-)