I haven’t been a runner in at least forty pounds. I have been immersed in strength sports for the past twenty years with some intervals and low intensity cardio for balance. I equated going on a hike with getting lost in the woods. Then I was invited to try an Orienteering race.
Orienteering is roughly running or hiking to find flags and punch your ticket, move onto the next point, return to the start as quickly as possible. The course length depends on difficulty of the course, which path you choose, and if you find the mark. You might pass it on the other side of a tree and add a mile to your course.
My first Orienteering race was in 13 degrees of freezing weather after a mix of snow and sleet. I dressed for the temperature and had a great time. I learned to read a topographical map and became more familiar with what the symbols in the legend meant. Cliff, depressions, gully’s, paths, streams, and elevation contours began to make sense as I navigated each point. My course was one eight the size of the advanced course.
The race was populated by adventure racers and people who find 100-mile runs enjoyable. I walked with an occasional jog. These men and women were flying through the woods from point to point wearing a thumb compass. They would find a point, punch their card, and be off with only a moment to orient themselves to what direction to go next.
The Saint Louis Orienteering Club organizes a race each month. Look online and see if there is a race near you and give it a try. Some races even have extra compasses to borrow. Check online and ask the organizers.
II have done six races now. We can call them events instead of races because I am not racing. I am just on a hike with a purpose.