Tracking my wanderlust need to get out of town once a month

Track my O progress here

Day Three of the Oringen

Disaster. I completely lost contact with the map at one control, in a bland flat area, and I wouldn't admit it to myself. So , instead of bailing out to the obvious trail about 150 meters away, I wandered aimlessly for 15 (?) minutes first. After I while, I finally came to my senses and started to bail out. Of course, I found my control on the way out to the trail. I was hoping that my brain was now functioning properly, but it was short lived. A few controls later, I again lost contact and wandered around. This time was worse, in that it was not a bland area, I should have been near an obvious hill will two cliff faces. But I kept thinking the control must be close by, if I keep looking for it. Ha! In the end, I took 94 minutes while the winning time was 31 minutes. Disaster!

I did learn something new (besides that I should bail out sooner): when there are a lot (100s) of orinteers in the forest, and many of them are punching at the same control, you can be led into your control by the "beep" as they all punch. Very convienent!

Fortunately, today is the Oringen rest day, and I won't be able to screw up in the woods. Unfortunately, Mike left today for Finland. I won't see him again for two weeks. Sanna and I went shopping in Uppsala, while Fritz went in to Stockholm for the day.

Tomorrow is the short course day, so I hope to be able to hold my concentration through the whole course. If not, I'm prepared to bail out as soon as things stop making sense.

posted by Mary 12:02 PM [edit]