This was my first 'real' orienteering event I've enter and was keen to try out the classic orienteering after being introduced to the sport at the Red Bull Robin Hood Event. I decided to bring the boys along so they could try out orienteering too. The boys are 13 and 16, and both happily manage Parkrun in around 25 minutes I thought the orange or light green course at around 3km would be perfect for us to run as a team.
When we arrived the orienteering volunteers were really helpful and suggested the easier orange route would be much better for us to learn some navigation and not get too lost or disheartened. It was a couple of minutes walk to the start were we queued up with our dibber and control card.
beep beep BEEEEEP. we were off. grabbed a map and quickly worked out were the first control was and rushed off along the hard packed track. The boy quickly spotted the control point and rushed in, double checked the numbers matched and got our first beep of the day. On the drive through the site to the car park I had pointed out a control to the boys so they knew what they were looking for, and it turns this was the second control we needed to find so we raced off to punch it.
The course was great for us beginners and we didn't really have to use the compass and could simply rely on getting to the controls based on proximity to map features like the river, buildings and fences. This meant all we needed was a quick check of the map, control description, work out how far away it was, and run off in that direction. It was amazing to see so many other runners and walkers out on the course, all dressed completely differently, taking different routes, choosing different tactics.
The routes between controls where mainly on paths or open fields so it was pretty easy running too.We put in a few sprints between controls for fun and took it pretty easy between others. I was super proud of he effort and navigation skills the boys put in, and next time I'm going to sit back and follow them and let them do all the work.
I was really impressed with the organisation, and instant results with orienteering. All the splits between controls and current leader board position were given as soon as you got to the download tent. This was a great day out and we all had a great time even though it started to rain about half way round. I would really like to do more events and try harder and longer courses.
Links:
http://derwentvalleyorienteers.org.uk/
Kit:
Shoes: Salomon FellRaisers
Socks: Quechua (Decathlon)
Tights: Borrowed the other halfs running tights (No idea what brand they are)
Shorts: Nike Dry Fit
Top: Freebie Tech Tshirt from Survival of the Fittest
Watch: Timex Triathlon - No GPS
Compass: Generic navigation compass
When we arrived the orienteering volunteers were really helpful and suggested the easier orange route would be much better for us to learn some navigation and not get too lost or disheartened. It was a couple of minutes walk to the start were we queued up with our dibber and control card.
beep beep BEEEEEP. we were off. grabbed a map and quickly worked out were the first control was and rushed off along the hard packed track. The boy quickly spotted the control point and rushed in, double checked the numbers matched and got our first beep of the day. On the drive through the site to the car park I had pointed out a control to the boys so they knew what they were looking for, and it turns this was the second control we needed to find so we raced off to punch it.
The course was great for us beginners and we didn't really have to use the compass and could simply rely on getting to the controls based on proximity to map features like the river, buildings and fences. This meant all we needed was a quick check of the map, control description, work out how far away it was, and run off in that direction. It was amazing to see so many other runners and walkers out on the course, all dressed completely differently, taking different routes, choosing different tactics.
The routes between controls where mainly on paths or open fields so it was pretty easy running too.We put in a few sprints between controls for fun and took it pretty easy between others. I was super proud of he effort and navigation skills the boys put in, and next time I'm going to sit back and follow them and let them do all the work.
I was really impressed with the organisation, and instant results with orienteering. All the splits between controls and current leader board position were given as soon as you got to the download tent. This was a great day out and we all had a great time even though it started to rain about half way round. I would really like to do more events and try harder and longer courses.
Links:
http://derwentvalleyorienteers.org.uk/
Kit:
Shoes: Salomon FellRaisers
Socks: Quechua (Decathlon)
Tights: Borrowed the other halfs running tights (No idea what brand they are)
Shorts: Nike Dry Fit
Top: Freebie Tech Tshirt from Survival of the Fittest
Watch: Timex Triathlon - No GPS
Compass: Generic navigation compass
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