Actual distance: 3.697, climb: 38 m
Head and heart not really into an advanced course today, so I did the easiest two loops which were advertised as Intermediate. Loops were 2.94 and 2.01, with those fractions being important since it meant I got in under 10 min/k.
First loop in 24:55. Took a beer handicap this year and drank 12 oz instead of 9 oz and from a bottle. Granted it was non-alcoholic, but the bottle thing was tough to get it out fast enough. Not the first one finished the initial beer, but probably the first one on easy loop going in the correct direction..so, I promptly screwed up the first control by cutting over to the fence instead of staying on the trail, but I managed to still reach it first. After that I just ran as hard as I could until I got passed and then I allowed myself to walk some. I already had a plan to cut cross country from 6-7, so I wasn't too worried unless the three who passed me followed, but they didn't. I also cut from 7-8 and some of the corner from 8-9. Since I was turning on the controls, I knew that I was ahead the rest of the way.
Into the map exchange, and this time I went for the 9 oz beer in a cup.
Second loop in 24:08. Sadly, it turned out that wearing my running skirt, though cute as could be, was not the right choice for running across the fields from the start-1-2-3. It was just miserable with waist high scratchy stuff. Got out of there and took the trail option to 4. From 4-6, some of the advanced guys who did the longer, harder first loop passed me, and I kept them in sight to the controls. Control 7-8 was similar to the previous loop, and this time, with no reason to play cat-and-mouse, I took the trail around, and it was actually about the same time.
Finished up feeling pretty good, though I went back to a 12 oz bottle of non-alcoholic for my last drink, and I had problems choking it down. Beer split title passed to Sam L. this year.
Fun event as usual. Another QOC year in the books.