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

Track my O progress here

Mike and I were in the Bay Area last weekend. It was a combination social/orienteering weekend. (I have three siblings and various other friends and relatives in the area; we had a lot of visiting to do!) I knew I would be staying up late, eating and drinking too much, and generally not prepared for an O meet in the big hills. So I dropped down to Orange.

Day one was physical--very big hills. Being out of shape, I had a tough time. On the way to the first control, I had to contour along a steep creek bed. I was scared of slipping. I do not like to be scared while orienteering. I was not having fun.

On the way to control number 2, I had to go up a big hill. I stopped many times because my legs couldn't make it. Then, on the way to three, you had to go down a steep hill. The soil was loose, so I had to watch my step. I was scared again, and my legs felt like rubber.

That's how the whole course went for me. My legs never got a break. I was very tired and couldn't force myself to move faster. Once, I spent 5 minutes trying to get out of a dry creek bed. I tried three times to get out, and kept slipping down the steep bank. I was not having fun at that point. When I finally reached the next control, I sat down for a few minutes to rest. I told myself to remind Mike to never let me enter a Bay Area A meet again. I was very glad I had decided to do orange instead of green!

Day two was a better course--more contouring, more trails. I was still tired, but my legs weren't wiped out. I had a good run.


posted by Mary 8:59 PM [edit]