◪ race (The Goat) 1:55:47 [4] *** 15.2 km (7:37 / km) +670m 6:15 / km
spiked:19/21c slept:3.5 shoes: Puma - Narabota XC Green
Billigoat XXX at Clear Lake, Joe M. made it feel faster than it was with a lot of trail and road choices and plenty of nice woods. Worked first part with Z-man, at one point it worked against us when we lost ~ 5 min on # 4 in the green, but we regained our spot with a skip on # 5, and were running with Ken, Ross, and Jordan from WP at that point. Fast trails brought us to the end of first loop, and on the way we picked up John Torrance, who did not have a good day. Made another 3 min drop in a crowd on 16, Ken skipped 18 and he was gone, so, I thought, did John. Me, Ross and Jordan climbed yet another 65 m to 18, and Ross got me on cleaner run to last control - it was better that way than have a foot fight after 15 km of running.
Just like last year - 4-th place - feet was in 104+ minutes and after 7-th control he had this course to himself.