Training Log Archive: OrunnerIn the 1 days ending Aug 12, 2010:
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Thursday Aug 12, 2010 #
6 PM
Orienteering race (Course 1 ) 17:46 [5] 2.3 km (7:43 / km)
rhr:52 slept:8.0 weight:155lbs shoes: Wave Nirvana 3
I had the girls' cross country team come to the meet since I had to be there, and since it would work as a nice workout and modest diversion from day to day drills.
The girls did a 10 minute warm-up, their core workout, and dynamically stretched. After which I gave them a few minutes of instruction, reviewing the map and general Orienteering concepts. I sent the girls out one at a time with about a three minute gap, and I followed shortly after, at full speed.
It was hot. The hills were steep. And the vegetation was thick. I collected Sophie as I ran to the first control; she was getting her bearings and eventually completed the course with flying colors. I jumped down a wall to control two and ran down a lane towards control three. At three I find 3 Badin girls frantically running about the roadway and bridges 100 meters east of the actual control. They had not grasped the concept of similar features being in general proximity to each other. In this case multiple small bridges and culverts; all mapped. And had completely overlooked a major collecting feature in the form of a tennis court lying between them and the actual control feature: West side of bridge.
Absent from the cluster of estrogen was the first girl I sent out: Molly. I was concerned that she was off course and having a miserable time. Oh well, there is nothing to do about that until I find her. I make a note to double back as soon as I finish. I continue on to control 4, up hill, in the woods, on an old asphalt paved lane, long abandoned to mother nature and light pedestrian traffic. I had specifically mentioned to the girls not to try to exit control 4 through the woods. These are not seasoned Orienteers but a small team of field and trail runners. I did not want them discouraged or injured.
I had glanced back down the lane to see if any of them were in sight. They were not and so I barreled forward into the dark maze of vegetation, partly following an old foot trail, now barely a deer trace, partly looking for less dense areas of foliage that would allow my 5 foot 8 inches of tick attracting scaffolding to pass without removing an eye. I hoped the girls would remember to do what I say and not what I do.
Suddenly I encounter a 4 inch square meshed fence. It was climbable but not my first choice. I glance at the map and see that there is an end far to the right. As I turn to avoid an unpleasant mistake I notice a gap. A small square section of the fence is missing from about 18 inches from the ground upward. I drop to all fours and scurry under, hoping to avoid being snagged while thinking unpleasant thoughts on my route choice. Quite soon after, I am out in the open, punching number 5 at a building corner, (my only issue with the course setter for the day; omitting the side of the wall the bag was on in the description sheet.) and then jogging along the large parking lot.
I nail six and on the way to seven I see Molly. Dang! She is running and is way out front of everybody. I physically have trouble getting into seven and back out; tripping up a bit on the muck, debris, and a small drop near the bag. I'm thinking I should catch Molly at 8. But no, she is gone. Wow.
Onto 9 I go right of the Library, picking up too much unnecessary climb. Then there at 9 is Molly. I pass her up and encourage her. We dart to ten and onto the finish.
Later I learn that at least three of the other girls saw me disappear heading to control 4 and not return, and so chose to press forward in hopes of detecting my trail, but ended up in the Black Forest as I did. What is more, Molly, who was in front of me at that time, also encountered the same fence and Lilliputians' hole, also as I did.
Overall I was quite pleased with the performance of the 5 girls. I had expected worse and was delightfully surprised. In addition I believe it was a satisfactory workout for the day.
The girls did a 10 minute warm-up, their core workout, and dynamically stretched. After which I gave them a few minutes of instruction, reviewing the map and general Orienteering concepts. I sent the girls out one at a time with about a three minute gap, and I followed shortly after, at full speed.
It was hot. The hills were steep. And the vegetation was thick. I collected Sophie as I ran to the first control; she was getting her bearings and eventually completed the course with flying colors. I jumped down a wall to control two and ran down a lane towards control three. At three I find 3 Badin girls frantically running about the roadway and bridges 100 meters east of the actual control. They had not grasped the concept of similar features being in general proximity to each other. In this case multiple small bridges and culverts; all mapped. And had completely overlooked a major collecting feature in the form of a tennis court lying between them and the actual control feature: West side of bridge.
Absent from the cluster of estrogen was the first girl I sent out: Molly. I was concerned that she was off course and having a miserable time. Oh well, there is nothing to do about that until I find her. I make a note to double back as soon as I finish. I continue on to control 4, up hill, in the woods, on an old asphalt paved lane, long abandoned to mother nature and light pedestrian traffic. I had specifically mentioned to the girls not to try to exit control 4 through the woods. These are not seasoned Orienteers but a small team of field and trail runners. I did not want them discouraged or injured.
I had glanced back down the lane to see if any of them were in sight. They were not and so I barreled forward into the dark maze of vegetation, partly following an old foot trail, now barely a deer trace, partly looking for less dense areas of foliage that would allow my 5 foot 8 inches of tick attracting scaffolding to pass without removing an eye. I hoped the girls would remember to do what I say and not what I do.
Suddenly I encounter a 4 inch square meshed fence. It was climbable but not my first choice. I glance at the map and see that there is an end far to the right. As I turn to avoid an unpleasant mistake I notice a gap. A small square section of the fence is missing from about 18 inches from the ground upward. I drop to all fours and scurry under, hoping to avoid being snagged while thinking unpleasant thoughts on my route choice. Quite soon after, I am out in the open, punching number 5 at a building corner, (my only issue with the course setter for the day; omitting the side of the wall the bag was on in the description sheet.) and then jogging along the large parking lot.
I nail six and on the way to seven I see Molly. Dang! She is running and is way out front of everybody. I physically have trouble getting into seven and back out; tripping up a bit on the muck, debris, and a small drop near the bag. I'm thinking I should catch Molly at 8. But no, she is gone. Wow.
Onto 9 I go right of the Library, picking up too much unnecessary climb. Then there at 9 is Molly. I pass her up and encourage her. We dart to ten and onto the finish.
Later I learn that at least three of the other girls saw me disappear heading to control 4 and not return, and so chose to press forward in hopes of detecting my trail, but ended up in the Black Forest as I did. What is more, Molly, who was in front of me at that time, also encountered the same fence and Lilliputians' hole, also as I did.
Overall I was quite pleased with the performance of the 5 girls. I had expected worse and was delightfully surprised. In addition I believe it was a satisfactory workout for the day.