Orienteering at Rundle Park

On Wednesday night Chrissy and I found ourselves way too overfed after a BBQ dinner. Since the weather was fantastic and the mosquito's were still sparse we decided that it would be a good idea to walk some of the excessive food off. Instead of strolling around the neighbourhood we jumped in the car and headed to Rundle Park which runs along the North Saskatchewan River.

As soon as we arrived at Rundle we noticed a large group of people milling around the Family Centre. Chrissy almost immediately realised that it was an orienteering group.

"Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. Originally a training exercise in land navigation for military officers, orienteering has developed many variations." Wikipedia

For a couple of years now Chrissy has been trying to convince me to try the activity but it seemed like we always had slo pitch or golf plans that got in the way. So with it staring us right in the face there was no reason for us not to give it a go.

Our $10 bought us a map and a beginners clinic in reading and interpreting the map. With full bellies, our map and a base understanding we headed out.

Staying within the limits of the park we traversed approximately 4.3kms searching out and finding 13 markers that contained a secret word for us to track.

Working at a leisurely pace we completed the challenge in just under an hour (59 minutes). It was definitely a lot of fun and a good way to keep our interest up in our 'walk'. Hopefully we can find the opportunity to join in on a couple more events this summer. 

Fitness Bonus:

Behind the recreation centre at the park we came across a couple of tractor tires that are used in crossfit workouts. I have long seen pro athlete training montages on television that had them flipping tires. I had to give it a try.

  

I flipped it back and forth about 8 times when I started to get bored. I urged Chrissy to give it a try.

 She never got the memo to bend at the knees...and stayed in this position. Attagirl!