KC

I am now looking out my back window at old man winter while playing with my girls, the disappointment of Nationals slowly fades into the background. Not the way I wanted my cross season to end but the best I could do on the day.

The bummer is I had a good opportunity. My start was clean and I dangled off the front group for a couple laps in about 10th place. I was comfortable but could feel my low back starting to fold. A group behind came up and I rode with Tonkin and a couple others for another couple laps until my low back and sciatic nerve gave up the ghost, lights out, I could only cruise around after that. Because I could not ride that hard I got really cold and was just happy to finish.

I knew my back would be the deciding factor in my effort as it had been bugging me for a couple days. With race time temps barely a 20F and a stiff wind it was hard to get loosened up. On such a difficult climbing track with mush soil you either have it or you don't and I didn't have it. Today I feel pretty fresh as I was not able to dig deep and use my fitness like I wanted and with zero technical challenge on course that's all you have is your fitness.

Overall it was a good cross season with the highlight being the growth of the Utah Cross Series. Nearly 300 riders/race and 40% growth over last year.
Big plans for 2009.

Now for some winter sports!