Cross comes to a close

After beginning my new PT job in mid-November, time for training got a lot shorter, and adjusting to the new schedule and conditions brought some undesired stress. My focus remained steadfast in keeping good form for a good shot at Nationals. My final races in Colorado brought some unexpected, and undesirable outcomes... but hey, that's racing.

Thanksgiving weekend brought some summery temperatures in the mid 60's and a sizable crowd to Golden for the GMS #2 race.

I got an excellent start off the line... However within 2 minutes of the start, I was caught without an escape when a girl slid out in front of me on the loose sketchy course. I crashed hard, with a couple riders piling on top of me. (Unfortunately no cool photo for evidence!) I was slow to get up having landed on my head, right palm and right knee.
I was also MAD! So I rode myself from dead last back into the race as fast as possible.
Being down over 3 minutes is a lot to make up, so I was happy to finish 6th of 16, and with some war wounds but no broken bones.
A week later, the temps dropped back into the low 30's, setting the stage for the CO State Championships. Again, another fantastic start (one thing I'm happy to report that has improved in such a challenging year).

I bridged up to 5th, sitting in for 2 laps, before a minor bobble on a loose uphill transition to pavement, landed me back on my sore and bruised right hand and knee. Dang it!

My lapse in attention cost me 2 places, and on the fast, power course I was destined for 7th for the remainder of the race. Still a good result to end what has been a very trying season.