Training Log Archive: furlong47

Event: West Point Annual National Ranking Event
 

Walk to start

We were staying at Round Pond thanks to Janet P, and knew the races ended there, so we had her drive us to Camp Buckner to get on the shuttle since we would not need to shuttle back. The bus then promptly took us back to Round Pond and dropped us near the bottom of the entrance road - so we could really have avoided shuttling for this race altogether.

The walk went down the gravel road, dropped down through the woods to a stream, crossed via a log with rope to hold, and then ascended a quite steep and rocky hillside to start at the top.

West Point Black Rock Forest Middle - GreenY (F40+)

For the first two controls I had a bit of panic trying to read the map - I haven't been in such technical terrain probably since the last time I was here in 2019, and historically have had issues at West Point. However, I found them with minimal issues and on the way to 3 everything just clicked and I was having no problems staying in contact.

The only one I felt I really messed up on was 8, which should have been super easy, but it was in the green and it was difficult to see in there. I also lost a bit of time on the way to 10 when I knew where I was but for some reason was having difficulty figuring out which way to go next. So I paused there until I was satisfied that I had things sorted out (and I did). Getting down from 13 was not very fun. I completely missed seeing that a trail was there and scrabbled over some rocks unnecessarily.

Overall this was a super fun middle and one of the better/more fun races I've had at West Point. Later in the day we compared the new map to an old copy Corinne M had brought along and it was amazing how much difference there was in detail. I think it really helped.

West Point Trophy Point Sprint - GreenY (F40+)

For this race we had to go over to Camp Buckner and ride the shuttle onto the base. There were not enough busses and they were taking a long time. Janet and Donna got on the bus that was there when we arrived. I was still locking up the car and when I went over there was no more room on the bus. We waited a long time for the next one. I got on that one, then they said only people with start times before 4, so I got off. Then they still had seats left so I got back on and away we went. The bus then dropped us off past the start so we were heading back against runners on course with the other option being walking in the road where cars were driving.

I felt a little frazzled after that and my body was pretty tired from the morning. I hesitated a moment making sure downhill was the right way to 1. Then it looks like I missed the best stairway to 2, instead backtracking a little bit. At 3 I was above it, the contours getting a bit lost in the yellow, and had to duck under a chain and slide down the hill. The next few were fine, although there were large amounts of traffic and people to dodge. I don't recall any of our past sprints here being so busy.

Going to 7 I headed down steps to the little garden and then through the building tunnel/garage. For a moment my brain decided I was going to 10, and I came out of the tunnel turning left. Luckily I realized that was wrong and it wasn't too big a mistake. The rest of it went pretty well, just tired and not pushing as much as I would have liked to. Like many others I nearly whacked my head on the branch at the go control.

Standing around after the race, we were all surprised by a loud cannon being fired (apparently happens when the flag is taken down each day)

C • Yup. 4

Middle - Green-Y - Splits

Sprint - Green - Splits

Lesson on Bailey

Michael accompanied me on an adventure to the ruins of Concrete City. This is the walk back, exploring around the ruins, and returning to the car.

Next to Seven Tubs for the short hike around the main waterfalls/tubs.

Finally, to Nay Aug Park/Gorge in Scranton.