US Sprint Championship - Mendon Ponds Park, Rochester, NY
Had an early start for this so I got out on the model course early to get my head into the mapping style and small scale. Race "arena" was a small field with the start, finish, spectator control and an occasional runner crossing at the top of the hill. Very well designed and fun area and course.
My run was good and clean. I particularly enjoyed the first few controls through some nice white woods. Other than drifting right on 3 a bit the run was very clean and fast through 9. Bit confused by the bushes and slow to 10 and then took a roundabout way to 11 that was safe but a bit slow. 14 was my downfall, although I executed the route pretty well, it was the worst of 3 route choices (straight). I had not had any problems moving through the woods yet so I thought I could power through the short distance or maybe find a beaten track (no such luck). Rest were fine but I was really tiring at the end and a cadetette dusted me in the chute.
Results... were pretty good. I was fourth among M40-44 runners (beaten by Eugene, Tom C. & Sergiy G.) but with one Canuck and two running up with the elites, I defaulted in for the gold medal. I look at it as a US bronze and was pleased with my run.