Marathon Nats–Woulda shoulda coulda…again!

It bores me to have to write this entry but alas I must report on the mediocrity that the 2009 Marathon Nationals ended up being for me.

After my near miss last year (3rd place), I had targeted this event as one to revisit. Unfortunately the wheels started to come off a bit in mid-June and my confidence was not super hot going in.

However, I made it to Breckenridge and my day started well as we climbed Boreas Pass. I was just behind the large front group and riding sensibly and feeling well. It was looking like a top five kind of day–with some luck, maybe better.

Unfortunately luck (if there is such a thing) was not on my side. Less than five miles in some joker cut over in front of me then promptly stacked it–going uphill on a dirt road! I had nowhere to turn with the edge on my right and riders on my left so I t-boned him and went over the bars. Big yardsale and as soon as I got up I wasn’t feeling right. My left side seemed somewhat paralyzed as I had strained muscles in my back, hip, and leg.

For the remainder of the race in tried to fight on but could never fully pedal or even descend as standing caused the spasms to intensify. The damage:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/8590121

In the end, I could only manage 12th, well off the pace. My unfortunate is what this will mean for my chances at Breck Epic Stage race the rest of the week…

Thanks for reading and all your support. Hopefully I will get another chance to show my colors!

Ciao,

VP