Orienteering race 7:22:47 [3] *** 26.3 km (16:50 / km) +1180m 13:45 / km
spiked:20/26c
Ran the Hudson Highlander. It was warm, I spent about 7 hours on my feet at the McQuaid Invitational yesterday, and I am not in marathon shape, so I guess the result could have been expected. I had expected to finish somewhere between 5 and 7 hours, but it was not to be (7:22).
Started off with an easy trail run (although I would have walked the hills if it wasn't so crowded), and things looked good early. Had sharp stuff in my shoe leaving C3, so I emptied it, put it back on, and took off after the line of people that passed me, WITHOUT my compass. Went 20-30 steps and turned back, but could not find the place I had stopped. After about 2.5 minutes of looking, and concerned passersby inquiring about my problem, the very kind Sam Levitin offered his spare compass to me (thank you, Sam!). After a quick last look, I was back on my way. Was slow but steady on the King of the Hill leg, and things were looking great again. Not for long! Didn't stay with the pack going to C7 and I misread which swamp was which coming off the bare rock down to the control. OK, let's make up for it - famous last words: missed C8 to the left (stupid!) and ran off the map - making it tough to relocate. Eventually found the stream and trail that led me back onto the map near C9, for a nice 13-contour climb back to C8. Was informed at C9 that there were now only 6 people behind me.
Trail run went fine - caught a few people on the trail and at the aid station, depsite being quite slow on the climbs.
Started the Surebridge map with Eric and Paul, and we wound up with Sandy and someone else. It was nice having the company. I started cramping on the way to C16, and had to stop for a couple of minutes, which was too bad, since C17 was a long trail run, and I could have put some time in the bank, if I didn't think I should walk. Still, finished the 3rd leg with about 2:14 left to the cutoff.
After the aid station, I was able to mostly jog the 1250m back to the Sebago map. I would have kept jogging the trail/road route to C20, but everyone else was going straight. Started cramping again, and had to take another break. Ironically, jogging was fine - it was the various excess leg movements to go over/under obstacles that brought on the cramps. Lost sight of most of the other stragglers by the time I got to C22. Did the rest with Sandy and the HVO guy.