All right OREAD readers -- where are the reports from the Possum Trot?

-- Spike (meglin@juno.com), December 14, 1999

Answers

Alright, this may not be the most interesting report, but I can contribute something...

The '99 Trot was a memorable event. It might be interesting to have some kind of route choice analysis like for the State Meet, but I realize there are "issues" to deal with since it is a PTOC map. Of course, it would involve work on someone's part too.

What I remember most about the Trot was the cold weather. Everything and everyone was wet, and with the rather strong wind, it was necessary to keep moving or perish. The vast expanses of thorny vines were quite horrible too! I still have quite a few gashes on my legs. I hope nobody contracted tetanus.

I remember only a few other people out in the woods. I think that after the start I only saw 5 other orienteers out there. That was a little bit spooky, and surprising considering the real problems I had through the first 11 controls where I had a bit of problem with #2, (skipped #3), had problems with my route to #4 (!), a fairly big error at #5 and an even worse error at #8, which I ran past several hundred meters, and finally some problems getting to #11.

Somehow I ended up leading the race into #4, but that presumably dissappeared very quickly when I messed up #5. I wouldn't lead again until #18. Those who skipped #5 probably did themselves a favor because there was no drinking water at #5, only some sickly sweet orange drink. On the way to #11 I saw Fritz crossing a creek and then made up my mind that whatever else happened, Fritz was not going to have his day! The thorns after #11 looked almost as bad as running from #4 to the road on the way to #5, so this time I detoured way around them! At this point my map (unsealed and even unstapled) was beginning to deteriorate with the wet woods, but held together. I'm glad I didn't fall down and scrunch it up or my day would have been done.

In the middle section I saw Swampfox and Spike ahead of me on the road on my way to #12 and #13 (although I didn't know Swampfox was Swampfox and actually thought it could be Dan; the two of them were going from #13 to #14 having chosen a more sensible route choice to #13 than I). I guess Dan was leading everyone at that time. It was sort of comforting to know that I must still be "in the race" for something like 2nd or 3rd, or whatever, although I was a bit worried that I'd already taken one of my skips and others may be saving theirs for later. Out of control #17 it looked like I was the only one skipping #18 until I reached the field and picked up another set of running footprints. Apparently those were freshly left by Spike who was on his way to booming #19. When I left #19 and saw Swampfox heading into #19 I was surprised and said 'hi' but was completely unaware that anyone else was in the vicinity of #19 at the same time. Apparently Spike and Dan were hanging around somewhere nearby and, together with Swampfox, were exchanging strategic information.

Through controls #21 to #23 it was neck and neck with the Swampfox, or at least we were within a few seconds at the controls. The pace quickened a bit and the finish loomed closer. In hindsight I suspect Dan and Spike's pace may have fallen off slightly in this part of the course, unless they had some pretty big errors. I was worried that any moment Swampfox might blurt out "See you later Sucker!" and skip past one or a couple controls. He didn't. I had a feeling that we were leading the race at this time, but never really thought to see if there were footprints out there. Around control #23 I thought to myself "What do I think I'm doing? I can't expect to outsprint someone more than 10 years my senior, can I?" As per habit I decided I'd rather jump over a cliff than run along a trail with someone running at approximately my speed. Fortunately the cliff wasn't high and I survived my descent, but got out to the road to see Swampfox a good 100 meters down the road, running hard. Apparently (to me) he was skipping #24, but had spared me the obnoxious comment I had been dreading. It turns out he was taking a rather different route to #24, which was probably better than mine. I spent a little time looking for #24 and ended up a couple of minutes back. Not a bad placing for my goat debut, but my mistakes were numerous. I can't say I had a good run but the atmosphere was fun.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), December 16, 1999.

Spike, if your question you refer to OREAD readers as those who are expected to contribute to the discussion. Do you consider the OK Forum part of the OREAD? If so, it was never made clear. Many of us were used to thinking of the Forum as a separate entity, but I'm sure we can get used to thinking differently.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), December 16, 1999.

It might be interesting to have some kind of route choice analysis like for the State Meet, but I realize there are "issues" to deal with since it is a PTOC map. Of course, it would involve work on someone's part too.

I have added two posts with portions of the Possum Trot (and with my routes drawn in). Note that I have not (yet) gotten permission from PTOC to post these routes. Since it shows such a small portion of the map, I don't think there are really any chances someone could "rip off" the map from PTOC. But, I will contact some PTOC big-wigs and make sure there are no objections. If there are objections, I'll take the images down.

-- Spike (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), December 16, 1999.

I emailed Dick N. and asked about posting some legs from the Possum Trot. Here is his response.

I don't think it's a problem to scan the PT legs. Go ahead and don't worry about it. I intend to post some reports of the PT on my page and I will try to link to your legs page.

I think I can speak on behalf of all OKers when I say "Thanks."

-- Spike (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), December 17, 1999.