Walking warm up/down 12:14 1.03 km (11:53 / km) +27m10:30 / km ahr:119 max:141 shoes: Inov8 ORoc280-B 2013-10
To start of West Point National Meet day 2
Sunny with temps in the low 50s on the walk/jog to start
Orienteering race 1:03:03*** 4.55 km (13:51 / km) +98m12:30 / km ahr:144 max:170 spiked:12/12c shoes: Inov8 ORoc280-B 2013-10
Brown course on Rockhouse Mountain map, finishing on Lake Welch beach., designed by cadet Brigitte Bordelon
4.0, 90 m climb, on a 1:7500 map
Did not attend day 1 due to other plans, so went into the race fresh (not tired out from day 1). I wobbled a bit on the route from 8-9, losing a little bit of time (3-4minutes, maybe? getting off my intended line and being pushed around by laurel) but the last quarter of the leg was easy navigation once I hit the trail.
Still, I was only a couple minutes behind Mary Jo (and Karen M in a different age group) and ahead of Linda K. Except for the 8-9 leg I had no troubles (people around at most controls too, except 2, 10 and 11). Lots of folks headed E-W through the start area, before I started, implied there would be a likely route choice going that way.
I swung south around the green rather than plunging right in, then angled NE. Sue H-T had gotten there just ahead of me. 2 on my own, 3 pretty straight (Thayer R was there), 4 straight, aiming straight from the rockiness at the edge of the broad hilltop contour line. I could see where the hill got less steep at the level of the control, and Sandy F and Phil H-T punching confirmed I was headed right. Parade of Sandy, Phil, me from there through 6, when we spread out a bit and I inched ahead; David H passed us somewhere 6-7. 7 was visible from a distance once I got over the smaller hill to the south. Short leg to 8/water control where I caught up to Lex and Candice.
Originally thought to go north of marsh and head up reentrant point to our 2, but thought instead I'd punch S through the laurel to the ridgeline. Too much blueberry slowed me down and I wasn't really following a bearing so I left some time out there but eventually corrected and rejoined the planned route a short ways past 1 (where I could see Sandy again, taking the better line). Then it was punch out to the main trail, and it was almost a yellow course from there on in. On the final run in I stayed on the concrete as long as possible, figuring the sand/beach would take more strength/energy, cutting down to the chute at the last staircase before the finish punches.
Temps got up to low 60s so it was a beautiful morning to hang around and catch up with friends I hadn't talked to for awhile.
Linda ended up 1st F65 with a good run yesterday, followed by Mary Jo and Judy K. Janet F had a lot of difficulty with our number 1(!)...
10 AM
Note
Stopped to retie shoe (laces pulled loose by blueberry undergrowth) twice -- after punching 4, and a few minutes after leaving 8.
Walking38:56 1.22 mi (31:55 / mi) +21m30:20 / mi ahr:83 max:114 shoes: Sauc TriumphISO-silver/gr/blue
Walking and taking pictures at Lock Ridge Furnace Park in Alburtis (near Macungie). First time I'd been there...no tall chimneys like other old furnaces but there was a really large casting building (where they poured molten metal for pig iron) still standing, and remnants of others. Museum is only open weekends May-October.
Grape hyacinths are in bloom. (This article and picture on the local newspaper's Facebook page reminded me of this place's existence.) I took some photos...
1 PM
Walking51:49 2.42 mi (21:25 / mi) +59m19:54 / mi ahr:102 max:150 shoes: Sauc TriumphISO-silver/gr/blue
Mostly walking, with a bit of jogging (split 2) returning on the switchback trail, because I knew it was a gentle climb.
At Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus. Nicer day than I expected, with temps near 50 by the time I left here.
I saw at least 6 whitetail deer on the woodland loop, plus several kinds of birds. Lots of wildflowers (only two different kinds that I noticed, maybe invasive?), mostly smallish yellow ones, with some small blue star shaped ones mixed in.
Slow (movements) but definitely intense class. Was hoping I’d loosen up hip muscles (caught myself from falling a couple times yesterday) but not enough...more work to do there.