A year after finishing third, Catalan Kilian Jornet returned to the Western States 100 in 2011. He won after a day long battle with numerous runners, especially Mike Wolfe, Nick Clark, and Jez Bragg. He talks about remembering that racing is about pleasure, the dynamic of racing against so many runners late in the race, how his new equipment worked out, the difference in his 2010 and 2011 races from mile 80 to the finish, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (and his two week training regimen for it).

If you’re looking to compare Kilian’s pre- and post-race thoughts, here’s our pre-race interview with the champ.