Running warm up/down 17:00 [2] 1.5 mi (11:20 / mi) +80m 9:43 / mi
Normally, I don't count the walk to the start, but this one was physical and my shirt was sweated through by the time I completed it.
Orienteering 44:02 [4] 3.5 km (12:35 / km) +115m 10:48 / km
West Point Middle
Bad start, down the trail, but high (and a bit short) to #1. Relocated off the big hill, still having issues when I decided to check the road and the swamp. On my way, I saw the cliff as I passed it and saw Bernie Breton punching as I went in. 4:51.
Following Bernie as he went right down the line, past the cliffs and in. 5:01.
A group was heading up the hill, mostly going left (N). I went over the 1-contour hill and approached the knoll from the south. After I spotted it, but before I punched, I saw Bernie coming in from the left. 2:46.
Following Bernie and a bunch of others along the cliff line. After we turned in, there was a bit of a train showing where the control was. This was lucky as this was probably the toughest control of the day. 4:09.
Found the rockiest exit from the circle at #4; following this finding a small, but wet swamp on the way. From the flat above the control, I was able to see #5, but I found the rockiest way down and lost ground to others descending closer to the control. No navigational issues, but I thought I lost a minute or so and splits analysis confirms. 4:36.
Surprisingly, the crowd was down to three for most of the trip to #6. I was beginning to feel winded/heated and tried to focus extra hard. One veered off after the stream and the second missed it, but I was slowest and though I went right to it, punched second. 4:34.
Group headed in the general direction of #7, but seemed to be drifting left. I was pulled a bit, but saw it a bit ahead and to my right. Punched alone and never saw any of those folks again. 1:40.
Bail to road but drifted N more than I should have. Angle in to the stream/stone wall junction, past another control (on hill by stream) and contour in. 5:16.
Slight uphill trying to find broken down stone wall for path through green. Came in just slightly high and took it through the thick stuff. Attacked what I thought was the site, but turned out to be unmapped rock a bit below and I had to make a steep climb at the end. 4:32.
Bail downhill to road. Alas, the road was a path with a stone wall and I was confused. Finally realized that I was 30m N of the bend in the road. Went right in, getting confused by the extra stone wall until I realized that it was the curved stone wall on the map. 4:06.
More or less straight to it with an assist from a walker heading on the right line. 1:50.
In. :41.
All in all, an acceptable run.