disOriented

[Mark Vernon]

Hey fellO's,

Well what can I say. This past weekend I had a DNF, my first DNF. As much as I'd like to blame I and me, I only really have myself to blame. I took my eye off the figurative ball for only a moment, which cost me dearly. This compounded into probably the biggest mistake I've ever made out on an O-course. I wasn't in a great space when I eventually did find the control I was searching for.

However, whilst taking a leisurely run back to the start/finish (instead of continuing on the course), I thought about all of this. The mistake, this Orienteering thing, life in general, world peace. You know, all the usual stuff. It dawned on me that not only would I be so careful not to make a similar mistake again (and thus failure is essentially positive), but prior to the mistake I was having the time of my life. Those first few controls prior to the mistake I was nailing so well, which probably brought on some overconfidence which triggered the mistake. I was flying around, navigating like a boss! But what really dawned on me is that the nailing of those first few controls was a culmination of so many, albeit smaller, previous mistakes on other O-courses. And there's no way I would have been able to get so much enjoyment from those first few controls if it wasn't for those mistakes.

So whilst I keep searching for that ultimate and elusive clean run on an O-course (which would be great if it happened at a crucial time like SA or GOC champs), I invite you too to come and make some mistakes. 

Right, that aside and safely stored in the nostalgia bank, you'll find all the results from this past weekends Mountain Marathon out at Mogales Gate attached. And of course all of the gOry details can be found here on Attackpoint.

Hennops Hiking Trails - Bush 6 - 5th August

RACO has asked that I re-cOmmunicate that you shall have to pay a R70 venue entry fee on entrance at Hennops, however they have reduced the event entry fees as far as possible. This is a really cool area with lots of paths, interesting detail, rOcks and whatnot. A good one for a middle distance event. Flyer attached. I'm Ocited! 

!!Scatter Run Event 2 @ Groenkloof!!

At the committee meeting last night we were all getting rather excited over this. Entries are cruising even faster than event 1! 

To ensure we put on an even bigger and better experience we've taken a number of suggestions and comments into account. We'll be focusing on the initial instruction and briefing, and various other areas. But much like event 1, an adventure is guaranteed!

Flyer attached! Enter @ www.scatterrun.co.za

Upcoming O-Vents

Event	Event Date	!Pre-Entries Closing!	On the day entries?	Enter Where?
Hennops Hiking Trails – Bush 6 (middle distance)	5-Aug-2018	1-Aug-2018	Yes	www.orienter.co.za NOTE: R70 venue fee, but reduced entry fee
Scatter Run – Event 2 @ Groenkloof	12-Aug-2018	9-Aug-2018	No	www.scatterrun.co.za
Pelindaba – Bush 7 (long distance)	26-Aug-2018	TBA

Well as much as I do love the humbleness of my pure text O-mails, I think the writing is on the wall and it's time for me to move over to something more 21st century. After all, regular emails are so 90's. So perhaps next week or the week after you'll receive something more flash. Don't worry, I'll be sure to still highlight some headings in odd colours. And the O-puns won't stop.

Happy O, happy life; Otherwise you're just lost.

Yours in O

Mark Vernon for ROC

P.S. Yup, that about sums it up: