Notes
Leg C-5, last run of GLR. I had this leg two years ago and ran 45 seconds faster this year. Up against Birkel, I lost about a minute and a half to him. He's got those short legs that just churn up sand dunes. This leg was the only one of the weekend that was kind of like an actual race. I got the hand-off from Manaois at the same time as 3 other people and 60-90 seconds behind some other people. This leg was initially v hilly but on the streets so I felt good. Some guy tried to step to me and I dispatched of him within the first 600, the other two were women so they didn't stick around. Around the mile mark, some guy came up on me and he was moving. We hit the sand stretches together and ran together for probably 1.5. We were both confused about directions (even though they leg was marked out - I think he was throwing me for a loop). I was looking at the map and stumbled and he took advantage and was gone. At that point, it was looking for other people coming back to me. One guy and one girl were way up on me but I narrowed in on them over time. The guy managed to stay 10-15 feet in front of me for about two miles which was so frustrating. Every time I tried to throw in a surge I'd stumble over the sand. Finally with 400 to go there was a big downhill which I used to catch the girl. She actually crushed the following uphill, but I had more strength than her and very nearly caught the guy.
This was a pretty good run overall. I was really sore going in, but my knee held up, I ran hard (effort wise) and competed well.