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

Track my O progress here

It's been a crazy time since we orienteered in NH in early September, so I have not had time to update my blog. Upon 10 days reflection, these are my thoughts:

UNO Boulder Dash, Day One, Sep 8

I took it very slow in the beginning because I hadn't been on a map in a month. I felt it. It was very hard to get "in to" the map reading. Eventually, however, I managed to figure it out. Other than a mistake on number 4 (which I can't recall without my map in front of me) I had a clean race. I walked at a good pace, only jogging a bit on the road leg. I was very pleased to see my time relative to Peggy's (1.68). Turns out to be my best day in the woods this year. Orienteering in Sweden was very helpful for this terrain. And the biggest surprise was that I was first in F35 on day one; never did that before! (Of course Kris Harrison wasn't there.)

I spent the rest of the day in the emergency room with Mike, and did not do the things I should have: eat a decent meal, take a nap, rest my legs. Neither Mike nor I slept well Saturday night, either.

UNO Boulder Dash, Day Two, Sep 9

Right away I felt the effects of being out of shape combined with all the things I did yesterday: I was very tired. Mike makes fun of me, because I have to lean against trees occassionally when going up big hills. Today, I leaned against trees on flat ground.

I stumbled my way slowly through the course. I managed to find every patch of light green to fight my way through, instead of around. I made a mistake on number 2 (not going far enough) and overcompensated on my mistake to number 4 (by going too far). Otherwise, I did not make big navigation mistakes. I must have made micro-mistakes due to my fatigue, but I don't remember them.

Somehow, though, the other women in F35 had worse days and I maintained first place. I was pleased to have my first age-group win, but I know it is not a significant victory. The best wasn't there, and others only ran one of two days.

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Obviously, I need to work on my physical conditioning. But since this meet, I've had to deal with Mike and his injury, as well as crazy world events. All motivation went out the window. I'm starting ice skating lessons again this week, which I hope will jump start my motivation.




posted by Mary 7:56 AM [edit]