Monday, February 9, 2009
A Weekend Without much Running
Annette and Jesse practicing improvised backcountry splinting.
In order to keep my certification as a Wilderness First Responder I have to “recert” every 2-3 years. I spent this weekend on the campus of VA Tech in Blackburg, VA doing just that-taking a course with WMI. Many hours of class time, practical scenarios and much “after hours” studying!
Since I am no longer an active Outward Bound instructor, technically there is not a reason for me to train and maintain my certification that I have had since 1992. Yet as a person who likes to spend lots of time running in the backcountry, I want to maintain my skills, so if the need arose to use this training I would be “updated” enough to respond with appropriateness.
The majority of the other WFA students were staff of VA Tech’s outdoor Venture Program and camp directors for an eastern Girl Scout camp. There was 1 other person there named Jesse from CT re certifying his WFR.
I was pleased to learn that WMI has added hyponeutremia to it’s curriculum since last update!
I did get to run-yet not in big chunks. And in a way, my legs feel even more tired after running in little pieces over 3 days (Fri-10 & 12) (Sat- 5 & 8.5) (Sun-1:17 and :40) than after 2 long runs…yet it prob’y has something to do with all the class sitting around time we did too! The Huckleberry Trail was only 2 blocks away from our weekend class and saved my sanity!