Training Log Archive: maprunner

US Champs Middle distance at Moreau Lake. This map got the better of me in 2010, and I was determined to conqure it this year. I knew that I should take it slow (walk, not run) and stay in contact with the map. I started out very slowly, checking off each and every feature, and got close enogh to 1, that I could quickly relocate when I was one cliff to the south.

Then came control 3. I still was not feeling confident on the map, and I just had a vague plan to head to the trail. When I hit a trail, I quickly figured out it was not the trail I expected. But which trail was it? Wandered a bit, and finally looked further around on the map, and discerned which map I was on. OK, now I knew where I was, and I had a good plan to follow the trail to the marsh, then skirt the edge of the marsh to the control. But I didn't go far enough, and I doubted myself, and spent some crazy time checking out every other rocky hill near by. Made it back to the trail agiain, and this time I followed my original plan. Duh! So disappointed in myself.

Four was a short leg, and I then I wandered again towards 5. This time I was beginning to get a feel for the map, though, and when I hit the really big boulder, I finally, finally felt I was reading the map instead of just reacting to stuff around me.

After that, I moved fairly smoothly through the rest of the controls. If I missed the first time, I relocated quickly (like #10). I was still walking most of the time, trying to stay in contact and read the map in the rain. I think it was a wise strategy.

So, I had a disaster in the beginning but I recovered and finished clean. I figure after three days of orienteering at Moreau, the score is Moreau 1.5 to Me 1.5 :)

My route.

Middle Green X - Splits