2014 Queeny O by Captain Ahab
In this O meet (Farsta) we were
given the same map but different clue sheets with different routing through the
course. They warned us from the
beginning to pay attention to the clue sheet and make sure to get the correct CPs
in order. Because of my track record of
ignoring the clue sheet and missing CPs I was slightly nervous. I also knew that this would be perfect
training for me.
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The race kicked off with a mass start and Jeff
Sona, Mickey, SuperKate and I headed in the same direction as the rest of the
fleet went opposite directions. I was
trying my best to keep up with Jeff and Mickey and then remembered to not
follow and to check my clue sheet. As I
did, I noticed SuperKate took off in a different direction. My first CP was 1A on the East side of a
depression. I found it quickly and moved
to CP2 in a small erosion gully. I ran
back into Jeff and Mickey here and Jeff had lost his E-punch. I trail ran to CP3C in another small erosion
gully off the side of the trail. From
here I bushwhacked to CP4, but I missed it and had to go back to CP3C to shoot
a bearing and track to CP4. I finally
found it and moved to CP5E. Having my confidence restored in my bushwhacking
abilities I made a long but easy field traverse to CP6. I continued to bushwhack to CP7G. I took a look at the next CP which was a long
way to bushwhack so I made my way to the nearest trail and ran to a trail
junction near the CP and bushwhacked to #8.
I continued bushwhacking to CP9I.
I had to then bushwhack to the nearest flat trail and run back near the
start to CP10.
Now
back by the start I had to start the second leg of the race by repeating the
course but picking up opposite CPs. So
now I had to find CP1B, which was nearby and I thought would be easy to
find. I started looking for a trail
junction and got on a deer path and passed the CP. I realized I went too far and headed back and
spooked up some white tails and found the CP near a man-made object. From 1B I had to go back to CP2 where I ran into
Jeff and Mickey again. Jeff was looking
for his punch. Next I had a long
distance to 3D. I decided to trail run
as much as possible to this CP. I then
had to bushwhack to CP4. I ran in to
Mickey and Jeff at this CP also. Here I
did a combo bushwhack trail run to 5F. I
noticed Mickey cut into the woods much earlier than me. I then realized I overshot and started
heading back as I saw Mickey also started heading back. The CP was so close to private property I was
worried that I wasn’t in the park any more, but then I saw Mickey pick up the
CP. Shortly after I hit it. I then used my same route to CP6 that I had
used previously. I then realized that
Mickey was relying heavily on trail running.
I also noticed that Jeff was bushwhacking more like myself. As I jumped the creek at CP6 I snapped
something in my leg that hurt so bad something in my head snapped and I fell
forward on my face. Luckily I didn’t
fall backwards into the cold creek water.
I mustered my strength and bushwhacked to CP7H. This seemed like a long bushwhack and I
feared losing my way but I held my bearing right to the point. I then bushwhacked to CP8 and found it much
faster than the first time. I dropped
out of the woods onto CP9J and decided to take the same trail run as I did
previously to the finish, which avoided any hills. My leg was in severe pain but I finished
shortly after Mickey. This was probably
the most fun I have had at a SLOC event.
I was challenged being on my own and without a team, I was challenged to
pay strict attention to my clue sheet, I was challenged to not follow other
racers, and I enjoyed the constant path crossing that Mickey, Jeff, and I had
been doing the entire time. My leg
didn’t feel very good at all but I had a great race. This race also made me want to memorize the O
symbols. Oh I forgot to mention there was no significant defecation...sorry my loyal poop fans. - Ahab.
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