Delaware Valley Orienteering Association

Congratulations Grace and Ava, this is wonderful news.

The best advice I can give you is to not have any expectations. Run your race the best you can and have a good time. 

The best thing you can do now is to train as you normally would with maybe some extras: get out on maps when you can, stay in good physical condition, and do armchair route choice exercises with maps of the venue.

Here are some links to course at Vasquez Rocks:

But remember that looking at those maps is helpful so long as you understand what the terrain actually looks like. A quick search on Google Images brings up a ton of photos to help you understand how the map relates to the terrain.

Finally, when you go to the event, take advantage of the model events, or practice courses. Walk or jog around, taking your time to understand how everything is mapped. It could also be helpful to create a few practice legs by drawing a short course of 2-3 controls and running them at race pace. 

That should help you to get an edge on your competitors.

Good luck and have fun ;)

I'll second Greg's advice.

You can also search on google for a Vasquez Rocks orienteering video.  There are a couple of videos of people out on courses, which can give you an idea of what the terrain is like and will help with understanding what the map is showing, as Greg suggested.

Looks like an awesome place - have a great time!

Steve, I am excited to enjoy a whole new experience orienteering in an unfamiliar area...thank you for your reply.

Greg, I greatly appreciate the links you shared.  I intend to compare the course maps to photos of Vasquez Rocks to familiarize myself with the new land features.  Colts Neck will be completing the practice courses and I am sure that drawing up my own short course will be beneficial.  Thank you for your insight.

Sam, on your suggestion I have begun to search for videos of the park and it has been very helpful in understanding where I will be running.  Thank you for your suggestion.