Dynamic Adventure Endurance - Marlborough Downs - Sept 9th
If You Go Down To The Woods With Me ...
Dave Hooper (Team SleepMonsters) / 20.09.2006
So, I turn up with Debbie, my team mate for the mixed pairs, a few minutes later than intended. In my usual calm way, I ambled into the village hall, ordered a cup of tea from fantastic Flossie, and prepared to mark up the map. Then I noticed that the DA had got better not once but twice, the maps were pre-marked and it was now a score event (i.e. checkpoints had values). So in future I can have an extra 30 mins in bed and the route choice is more spicy. Great.
I looked at the map and made my first incorrect decision of the day, the run would take longer than the bike. Then I made my second decision, we could easily clear it, fortunately, I did add a proviso. The proviso was the West Woods. If I successfully managed to keep control in West Woods, I’d be fine. (Yep, you’ve worked out what comes later!)
So being sure we would clear, we would run first. Start off in WW, clear the rest and pick up the last checkpoint in the woods on the way back. I liked it. I also found what I thought was the logical bike route.
Being off in the first group, I was so wrapped up in myself that I forgot to pick up the scores! (Better safe than sorry, Debs ran off to pick them up).
Wandering in the West Woods
First CP, at edge of wood, spot on, then, well then it went pear shaped. I felt like I did 12 years ago in my first orienteering event, out of my depth. How could I be lost after being in woods for just 10 mins?
SleepMonsters
