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