Loving something that you're not very good at

I love Orienteering. I am not very good at Orienteering.
This past weekend was the Georgia Orienteering clubs' meet at Cochran Mill Park. This meet was the third anniversary of my first orienteering experience and while I'm certainly better than I was on that first outing, I still struggle. Mostly with the scale of things. First I'll over-estimate the distance, way overshoot the point, then on the next one I over-correct by not going far enough. I'm also not very fast. Without other people around me spurring me on I tend to get a little distracted by the woods 'Oh I see a turtle' and forget that I'm actually supposed to be doing this for a good time, clock time that is. I always have a good time, enjoyment that is. Oh well, the Orienteering season is young. Lot's of opportunity for improvement.

Loss of Momentum Regained

I rode the 6 Gap Century a couple of weeks ago. It was an absolutely beautiful perfect day. The morning was chilly but I opted to dress lightly as I knew it would be warming up soon and I didn't want to be bothered with stashing layers later on. I can handle being uncomfortable quite well, a good trait to have in adventure racing. Problem was that we were rushing to the start and I forgot to put on sunscreen. I had possibly the worst sunburn that I've ever had. The top of my left shoulder looked as though I had held an iron to it. So, no riding for me for a week.

By the weekend I was feeling better and joined a couple of friends up in Dahlonega to do the Winding Stair, Fish Hatchery loop on mountain bikes. Another day of perfect conditions but I was really feeling my lack of fitness as I struggled to keep up Ken and Shelley.

Wednesday I got back to bike commuting and loving it. Friday night I visited a friend on my way home and ended up riding home in the dark. With lights of course, but it was still a first. Not as bad as I thought so I'm less worried about the early darkness stopping me from riding throughout the winter. I think I'll get some more reflective strapping just to be on the safe side.