Click here for my Hickory Run 0905, Red Course map.
Hickory Run Club Meet
Hickory Run is possibly my favorite map in the US. But
the NE part is the one section I just wish they wouldn't
set courses in. Unfortunately, we got a pretty good tour
of that section today. It is rare that I have an unenjoyable
experience orienteering, but I think if I'm being honest, I'd
have to say I was cursing a bit today. The green is just
miserable. Its not just laurel, its laurel on steroids on
that side of the map. And a few legs forced you thru it.
Even 5m thru it is miserable. Forget the rock, rhodos,
and wait-a-minute vines, among other hazards. There is
certainly a skill here that is valuable, and I don't mind
a bit of it on an orienteering course, but it just seemed
too much. Perhaps I was in a foul mood to begin with.
The good news is I was clean -- my concentration and focus
was exceptional -- and all that netted me was
10 min/k, tho I still think it is likely I
landed on the podium with that effort. These sorts of
races are supposed to build character, but I have fine
character, having missed less than 10 training days in
the past 7 years. I'd rather it build fun.
I understand they are remapping the cool sections of Hickory
Run, hopefully leaving that section off. I kicked around
the idea of setting a 1 day middle distance A meet there
today as day 2 of the sprint final; I think that would be
awesome, and hopefully the idea will gain traction in the club.
Mongolia at WC
According to the web site for the upcoming World Cup in
Italy, Mongolia is sending a team of 2 women, 1 man, and
an official. This isn't something I expected, tho I'll
admit to being pretty ignorant to the development of the
sport in that country. Hopefully
they speak English, as I've taken a keen interest in
the orienteering developments there. Its not
likely I'll get there for the race(s) next year, but
hopefully an APOC is in the cards down the road.
Canary Islands
As mentioned in a previous note, the information on orienteering
the Canary Islands is here.
Canary Islands, like Mongolia, has always been one of those
places I've been longing to get to, but the timing over New
Year's is pretty awkward. We'll see. Since I won't be getting
to Portugal due to the conflict with the team meet in Florida,
this seems like an equivalent. One thing I have heard, but
never researched, is that they have really nasty snakes on
the Canaries, so perhaps it is just as well.
WMOC 2008
Speaking of Portugal, the IOF recently awarded WMOC 2008 to
that country. Its early, of course, but this is one to mark
on the calendars. The places is Leira Wood, near the small
seaside village of S. Pedro d. Moel. I was there this Feb
for a training camp, and it was an absolutely fantastic
experience. In fact, I was recently thinking about which
was my favorite O trip, an this one was one of the contenders
for the top of the list. Of course, there is a big difference
between a training camp with 20 people in an empty resort
village in Feb vs the same in summer with 4000 runners, but I
am still itching to get back. Maybe I can get back for another
training camp off season and skip the WMOC ... but in any case
I'm really going to miss Portugal this season ...
Leira Wood, S. Pedro d. Moel, Portugal
