I wait by the start, listening carefully for my name to be called; my SI-card strapped to my finger and my hands tangled together.
"1.11" My time was called and I stepped up to the box with Intermediate Girls on the front.
"5." I wrote my name on the back of the map, as instructed.
"4." I grabbed the corner of the paper, as did everyone else around me.
"3." I shifted my feet.
"2." I got a better hold on the map and got ready to run off.
"1." I grabbed the map, flipped it over and dashed up the grassy bank with the encouraging calls of my team behind me.
Have you guessed what I'm talking about yet? If you haven't, I'm talking about the sport of orienteering.
You may be thinking, what is orienteering?
Basically, you have a map with a certain number of controls marked on it and you have to visit them and punch the control, normally with an electronic card.
Before you think that's a nerdy sport, that all you do is read a map, trust me, it's not.
You have to be quite fit as you are racing against time to beat others. It combines using your brain and getting fit.
For me, it's just a fun way to get fit, making my brain think and having fun with friends.
If you want, grab a whole bunch of your friends and just do it together. There are also relays you can run together; you can do it seriously or, like I said, just for fun.
There's also the feeling of hearing your name being called out, or your school's name, and winning a prize.
If you're one of those people who don't like running but you still want to get fit, it's fine, you don't have to run. You can still get fit by walking the course.
I don't know about you, but for me, running is relaxing.
It's time for thinking and to mull over problems; the faint thump, thump of my shoes is somehow comforting.
The wind brushing past you ...
So, overall, orienteering is how I get fit, use my brain and enjoy myself at the same time.
Christy Siu, Year 10, Diocesan School for Girls
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