Sad what's become of Jim. Pretty clear his "wife" is dictating his life choices and squandering his running talent. Too bad. This whole skim thing is quite sad and just plain pathetic. Get back to running Jimmy.
I hope jim wins UTMB this summer. He has put in so much training and racing on that course. He was close last year but really cratered in the last 30 miles. European trail races are a different beast. Probably ask Sage Canaday. Closest thing in the states are probably the skyrunning races, especially on the east coast.
I feel like Big Jim is a different runner to what he was 5 years ago.
Even his 2022 UTMB race was much more patient. Sure, he didn't finish great. But 2018 Big Jim would have poured on the pressure in the opening 10 miles to try and get into the head of the opposition. 2023 Jim will look to get through the first 16 hours spending as little energy as possible before even thinking about making a move. Guaranteed.
Whether he wins or not, is another story. But I think, unlike Parker Stinson, Big Jim has matured and learned from his mistakes.