Now THAT was fun; but was it right?

Having competed in a bunch of adventure races and even having been a navigator in a few, I have really come to enjoy the navigation aspect of the races. Having said that, I have always been curious to try orienteering races, but like triathlons, I have just never got around to doing one.

This past Sunday I did the Ottawa Orienteering Club’s Trailhead Orienteering Adventure Run and had a blast! I got to practice skills that I normally only get to practice in an adventure race; I got to hone…okay, grind away at my navigation and bushwacking skills. Over such a short course, there were about 20 control points to hit and punching our control card at every single one brought on such a sense of accomplishment. Add to that the stunning setting that was used as the playing field and there are more than enough ingredients for a really fun day. Even to those that live there, the stunning beauty of Gatineau Park forces one to occasionally pause and revel in its spendour.

After the race, I had to swing my mind back to this stupid marathon training and go for another 16km run afterward. However, I returned from my run just in time for the awards ceremony to find that my brother and Leanne won the co-ed category, teammates from Team HolisticClinic.ca came in 4th co-ed while my teammate Shannon and I came in 7th co-ed.

The big question that the race left in me is what I train for. I have set myself a pretty aggressive goal for the Ottawa Marathon (3:10; I just don’t know!) and am cognisant of the fact that the only way I’ll come close is discipline in my training. Olympic athletes know this and use it to excel to their elite levels. However, if enjoyment is not there, then why are you out there in the first place? I originally claimed that I was not going to do the race as it was going to interfere with my training and originally turned down the offer of cycling in Gatineau Park on Saturday for the same reason.

The question is: am I a better athlete for doing the ride and race, or would I have been better off sticking to my training. Next question: am I a better person for doing the ride and race? I’ve got my ideas, what are yours? (if you made it to this point that is)