Race Evaluation
30th Annual Billygoat Run: The Goat
ParkSchool
| 1. | With crowd staying somewhat to the R at start. | ||||||
| 2. | Still in crowd. Pavlina punching just ahead. | ||||||
| 3. |
Bad route choice +01:30 | Did not see advantage to going R of swamp at start, but also failed to spot optimal trail route on trail splitting swamps N of 13. Wound up taking more or less direct path climbing to R of 9 and through saddle. Aware of several people behind me on climb. Route executed well, but resulted in needless climb and expenditure of energy (which would prove significant later) as well as loss of time. Nevertheless, was pleased to be punching right after PG. | |||||
| 4. | PG stopped momentarily, then headed R, but I ran off quickly to 4 hoping to take advantage of runners in front of me. Had not yet looked for skip, but figured there must be something better later on. Maybe next time this will be true, but this time I missed the boat. | ||||||
| 5. |
Did not like map +00:45 | Green, green, green, much more than suggested by map. Kept moving higher hoping to get clear (and hoping to catch Phil Bricker ahead) and wound up significantly high on 5. Nevertheless, able to drop down to control relatively easily perhaps 10-15 seconds after Phil. | |||||
| 6. | On line, crossing over rocky region. | ||||||
| 7. | On line noting swamp on left. Phil, Ian Smith, Dave Yee, Pavlina, maybe Bob Lux all in vicinity. | ||||||
| 8. | Worked way around edge of swamp a second time behind Pavlina and others. Knew the terrain was junky and thought about going high early, but decided to opt for safety in numbers. | ||||||
| 9. | In crowd, now definitely including Bob Lux, Phil, Ian, Dave, Pavlina, running near the back. Now beginning to be concerned about skip choice with no attractive options leaping out. | ||||||
| 10. | In train, trying to move closer to front. | ||||||
| 11. | Ditto. | ||||||
| 12. | Some in group talking of skipping 12, but I had seen nice trail on top of ridge on route to 3 and didn't see any real advantage. Went higher than some to 12 with perhaps modest advantage. | ||||||
| 13. | Picked up trail quickly and found Bob and Matt Scrivner behind me. Felt like I was finding my legs a bit. Attacked directly after trail crossed stream. A lot of up and down, but executed reasonably well. Pavlina and Sam Levitin hit control around same time approaching from W. | ||||||
| 14. | Out to trail and then ... complete and utter BONK. Had been worried about conditioning, and it appeared that this concern was justified. Rest of course accomplished at jog at best. Passed through finish on way to 14, learning that winner had been determined and that group in front of me had not yet found the control. | ||||||
| 15. |
Bad map reading +04:00 | Feeling smug about beating the others to 14, headed out smartly with Matt in tow and directly into mountain laurel to W of finish. Still not sure what happened. Vaguely thought I was crossing marsh 100 m to W of line, but not clear why I would be considering a route through here. Anyway, finally bailed out to parking area, figured out where I was, and decided I had to run along road to attack from W. | |||||
| 16. | Moving very slowly, but at least thinking clearly. Able to execute straight line approach almost perfectly. | ||||||
| 17. | Up ridge at a trudge, actually going a little to L before correcting on rocky features near control. | ||||||
| 18. | Skip. | ||||||
| 19. | Plan was to head N to hit small trail through green, then do trail run around to 19. Fight to trail was difficult, and must have crossed trail as I wound up hitting it from N as I navigated off the marshy features at the bottom of the hill. Passed on trails by group of 5 including Tory Campbell and Katia Bertoldi. They were not moving especially fast, but it was far better than I could muster. Matt also seemed content to stay at my pace. Hit control smartly leaving trail at vegetation boundary. | ||||||
| 20. | Another excellent leg at a snail's pace. Was slightly gratifying to come over small knoll and drop directly on top of flag. | ||||||
| 21. | To trail, then along wall. | ||||||
| 22. | Slightly L of line to trail, making a steeper than hoped for descend. Matt staying with me, perhaps as a courtesy. | ||||||
| F. | Made my best effort to finish. |
Total Time Lost - 00:06:15