Orienteering Meet

Yesterday the WTAFC went to an RMOC orienteering meet down in Woodland Park. It was a long drive, but the meet itself was a blast. I personally had a TON of fun, and I can't wait to do it again. I think, for off-season training, orienteering is the best type of interval work you can get in. It is true fartlek. The landscape constantly varies, you're always altering your steps to adapt to what's underfoot. Your mind has to be turned up to level ten, to figure out where you're going, how you are going to get there, and how fast you can go. It's outside, in beautiful Colorado wilderness, and the whole atmosphere is laid back and welcoming and open. Just a great, great time, I strongly recommend it, I know I had fun, and I am sure the kids had a blast as well. Another orienteering meet is definitely on the schedule for WTAFC, for sure. And next time some of us have to attempt all three sprint courses, to get in the running for combined overall champion!!

Here are some pictures I tried to take during the meet. I didn't take very many, as I raced both the beginner course and the first intermediate course.

(And a huge shout-out to Christoph, the meet director. He took a big chunk of time out of his busy day to explain to all of us how to actually orienteer. Imagine if a track meet director had to take 1/2 hour before the meet to explain to random kids how to hurdle? Not happening, right? Well, the RMOC took excellent care of us. We weren't the fastest learners, but he was very patient and accommodating, as were all the members of the RMOC. Thanks again!)


Here is the parking lot before the race started. There really is no "official" start. You just go up to the line, they write down your staring time, and when you finish, they write down your finishing time and do some math. It makes for a real easy, non-stressful start experience.


This was the starting line, start at the tree, end at the tree. Since there were four or five different courses, runners took off in every direction. Once you sign up for a certain course, the guy in the chair gives you a map with all the flags marked on it, and off you go!!


Derek and Steven after Derek just set a blazing time on the intermediate course of 18 minutes. (Check official results here.) I was right behind him in about 24 minutes, but it took a while for Derek and Ryan to come in. :)


The ladies did the intermediate course as a team, which is totally cool to do, and they had a few "navigational problems". But, they finished respectably and had a fun time doing it!



Here are the ladies. When they reached the finish line, the crowd yells "Finisher!", and you hand in your punch card (that proves you made it to all the checkpoints).The volunteer writes down the official finishing time, and you are done your race. The cool thing is, many people race one course, rest up for 20 minutes or so, the then try another course. You can do as many courses as many times as you like, and each time, it just gets more and more natural. What a great way to run fast and think fast, it is such a great sport!!!


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