MOMAR 2009- D.N.F.

This year's Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race did not go as planned. We had an outstanding day of weather for this race and i was excited to be racing with a couple of friends from the states Aaron Rinn, one of the top adventurer racers in the world who races for Dart Nuun and Chris Matze from Oregon. Jen had set up an incredible race that really showcased the best biking, trekking and rapeling Squamish has to offer. The race started well and I got out of the blocks pretty quick as it was 4 k sprint around Alice Lake. From there we headed onto our bikes for a bunch of climbing and sweet single track. It wouldn't be a momar without losing something so I decided to lose my checkpoint card. (pretty important) I knew i had lost it when i took out my map so i backtracked but in the confusion a friend of mine had picked it up, went by me, but since we were in race mode we did not communicate that well and anyways he brought it to the next checkpoint. A lot of racers went by me at this point and I was pretty frustrated. I managed to regroup and got through the navigation course okay. Then it was back onto the bike for more climbing and I had really started to push the pace on the downhills trying to make up time and thats where my race ended. Going too fast over a little rise and on a steep loose section of the course Jen had warned us about, I went head over heels and catapulted myself into a big boulder. Someone behind me thought I flew a good 10 feet. My arm went numb and I thought for sure bones were sticking out but I was really lucky i guess. I managed to bike, crawl, cry, whimper to the next check point but once there I was in a lot of pain and my race was done. I was super disappointed because we had more biking and the best part of the course, a hike up the Chief and a world class rappel off the chief. While competitors were doing that I was in emergency. Xrays were okay, nothing broken but the doctor thought I might have a slight separation, with badly bruised shoulders and ribs. The last couple of days have been pretty painful and it has been tough not getting out for some exercise but i will try to be patient and take my time. We had a good time at the after party and I am already looking forward to MOMAR Cumberland, where hopefully i will have my partner, Jen, back and she can look after me. Thanks to Jen for setting up and incredible course and to Bryan Tasaka for hosting another outstanding event. Now I have to get better quick for our Paddlefit class on Wednesday.