It's been the Big Hot this week, with
temperatures into the 40's on four consecutive days. I've watched so
much air-conditioned TV tennis, my neck aches. A serious attack of
cabin fever led us to seek out some StreetO this week.
On Tuesday we arrived at Geoff's
Blackburn event in 40+ temperatures, expecting to be the only sad punters, but there were 35 of us. I soaked my bandana in cold water
and trotted off down the street, clutching my squashy water bottle.
The best bit of the course was round the school – five controls in
quick succession, my favourite. Approaching from the south, I did 3,
6, 4, 5, 7 but I did have to squint closely at the map. My running
was fine for about 30 minutes, and then weariness hit home. I tipped
water on my head, which ran down my face and wrecked my glasses.
Tipping my head back was worse, when the water ended up inside my
shorts. I returned with 14 controls in 40 minutes, a scarlet face and
a damp bottom. Geoff thrust a welcome cup of cold water into my hand.
Pat soon returned with a good haul of controls. We had survived our
first 40 degree event.
For some reason, we decided to head out
again on Wednesday. The courses were shortened, so I was able to
cover six controls in 30 minutes, about 5km of park and street in
total, on a balmy 37 degree evening.
Thursday was a 44 degree day, so we
decided to stay in.
Saturday brought a humid 24 degrees,
quite a difference. This proved to be the best event of the week,
with 21 controls to visit in Tally Ho Business Park. A mass start
long sprint event, another first for me. 3-4 caught me out when I
arrived at a tall fence just before the control. 9-10 looked similar
but I was ready for it. The athletics track was a hive of
activity, with hundreds of youngsters running, jumping and throwing
with great enthusiasm. I needed a pitstop before 16 but the toilet
block was locked. I gritted my teeth and clutched my map. My brains
scrambled towards the end as I meandered my way to the finish where
an iced coffee restored some of my faculties. 41 minutes for a
measured 5.6km was most satisfactory.
Three events completed during such a
week surely proves that we orienteers are either intrepid or barmy.
You choose.
