Kringelträffen (2009-03-28)

Lots of snow on the ground and I was the first starter, so small trails were impossible to distinguish and big trails required a bit of checking (usually looking both ways and seeing a line of treeless forest was sufficient).

Comments:
4 - A chain of events led to 3+ minutes of confusion. First, I didn't realize those "cliffs" on the way to #4 are actually rocks! Second, I must have not had a clear picture in my mind what the terrain would look like, even though I thought I did. I should have realized that I needed to go up to the control.
6 - I had a good route planned, but realized too late that the train tracks weren't crossable and had to slog up the hill (which was REALLY slow). Unhappy with myself, but also somewhat annoyed at the mapper for not putting purple X's on the tracks to make it more obvious. Then, 3/4 of the way, the trails seemed strange (the footprints in the snow were the only indication of the eastern trail and the direction seemed off), so I cut through the forest and then realized what must have happened. Went back to the trail, then straight for the control.
8 - The snow was really deep after the green, so tough and slow running.
9 - The control was lower than I expected it to be - I should have realized that I would have to go slightly downhill, but instead stopped to look around on the half-contour hill.
10 - Decided to go straight instead of around on the big trail (which would have been faster). Woods were trashy most of the way and small trails indistinct (as shown by me not following them!).
12, finish: resisted the urge to speed up now that I was finally on solid footing. No point in sprinting at the end of a training, especially as I have to run again tomorrow!