okansas.blogspot.com
Occassional thoughts about orienteering


Monday, October 24, 2005

Orienteering environment

 

Some discussion over at Attackpoint has got me thinking about the orienteering environment. Take a look at "best places to live..."

I touched on the subject a couple of weeks ago when I wrote about what I'd do if I was 20 years younger.

I find the topic interesting and something worth putting some thought into. In particular, I'd like to think more carefully about what makes a good orienteering environment. I'd also like to think about how to create that good environment.

A few more thoughts on the topic:

1. I'd pick a good group to train with but bad terrain rather than good terrain but not many people to train with. Of course, the ideal is good terrain and good people to train with.

2. If I were weighing options, I'd put a lot of weight on living somewhere that had forest access right out my door. Being able to train in the forest without having to drive is nice, very nice.

3. For the U.S. I'd consider travel issues. One of the good things about living in Kansas City is that we can fly anywhere in the U.S. for a weekend without having to take vacation (i.e. we can usually catch a Friday afternoon flight) and without having to suffer jet lag. We can travel to either coast for a weekend A-meet. Take a look at how travel made a difference for the baseball player, Jermaine Dye, over at baseballmusings.

4. I'd like to be able to reach a map in about half an hour. If it takes longer, it begins to feel like a chore. Within 30 minutes from my home, I can reach four parks I can train in (and a new map, just 9 minutes from my home is underway). There is one more map within 30 minutes, but access is a bit of an issue. There is also one more map, but it is just a small park O' map. Now, all of those maps are "typical Kansas terrain" -- so they leave a lot to be desired in terms of terrain.

5. It is hard to measure, but the culture or personality of the club is important. I've run for four clubs and all four were distinct. But, some felt better than others. I think it has something to do with the level of organization and the goals of each club. In some clubs I've felt more motivated than in others.

6. I'd pick clubs that put emphasis on relays.

posted by Michael | 7:37 PM

0 comments


Comments: Post a Comment
March 2002April 2002May 2002June 2002July 2002August 2002September 2002October 2002November 2002December 2002January 2003February 2003March 2003April 2003May 2003June 2003July 2003August 2003September 2003October 2003November 2003December 2003January 2004February 2004March 2004April 2004May 2004June 2004July 2004August 2004September 2004October 2004November 2004December 2004January 2005February 2005March 2005April 2005May 2005June 2005July 2005August 2005September 2005October 2005November 2005December 2005January 2006February 2006March 2006April 2006May 2006June 2006July 2006August 2006September 2006October 2006November 2006December 2006January 2007February 2007March 2007April 2007May 2007June 2007July 2007August 2007September 2007October 2007November 2007December 2007January 2008February 2008March 2008April 2008May 2008June 2008July 2008August 2008September 2008October 2008November 2008December 2008January 2009February 2009March 2009April 2009May 2009June 2009July 2009August 2009September 2009October 2009November 2009December 2009January 2010February 2010March 2010April 2010May 2010June 2010July 2010August 2010September 2010October 2010November 2010December 2010January 2011February 2011March 2011April 2011May 2011June 2011July 2011August 2011September 2011October 2011November 2011December 2011January 2012February 2012March 2012April 2012May 2012June 2012July 2012August 2012September 2012October 2012November 2012December 2012January 2013March 2013April 2013May 2013July 2013September 2013
archives
links