Friday, October 20, 2006

Lost in the Woods

I wish it were a metaphor, but it's my plan for the weekend. E and I are signed up for four hours of orienteering (navigating your way through forest and trails using a map and compass to earn points by finding checkpoints), and we're having a side competition with friends of ours: the chicks (me and other chick L) have to be the ones doing the map reading/using the compass. The guys just follow. This should be interesting. If you don't hear from me for a looong time, you'll know why - I'll be still bumbling around Gatineau Park.

5 comments:

Dodi said...

So how did it go?

Let us know when you have safely returned so we don't send out the tracking dogs.

Karen said...

I sort of hated it. Had to get up before the crack of dawn, spent most of my allotted *planning time* trying to figure out where the start was; got winded in the first 10 minutes and never caught my breath. We beat the other couple we had a side-bet with, but it wasn't really fun. AND the post-race chili tasted burnt. yuk. I was only really off from where I thought I was once, and I found my place on the map right away, so I never felt lost, but running through thick woods isn't my favorite thing to do.

Anonymous said...

In her defence, I was pushing her pretty hard to keep up the pace. I'm sure if she could have ambled at a leisurely pace, she would have enjoyed it more. She would have lost the bet and would be cooking for the other team, … but she would have enjoyed it more. ROGAINE (Rugged Orienteering Group Activity Involving navigation and Endurance) races are inherently tougher than a road race because of the cross country running. The course was 35 square kilometres! She should be proud of just finishing. Overall, she totally rocked for a girl with only 2 weeks orienteering training.

Dodi said...

OMG I didn't realize it was a running race. Ach! I was a tad jealous. Not anymore.

Sorry it wasn't fun. Burnt chili sounds wretched.

Karen said...

It's only a running race if your partner is on the competitive side...
We saw a couple where the girl was 'attached' to the guy with a strap or something. Can you imagine? E would have been literally dragging me through the woods. I've been trying to decide if I would have enjoyed it more in nicer weather - fewer wet leaves on the ground, no snow flakes. Not sure. I think I'll stick to walks in the woods for now : )