This past winter was one to remember. There were 10 days in January where if you woke up and there wasn't 9" or more on the powder cam it was a shock. We got some awesome skiing in, probably the best skiing of my life, but now the tables have turned and we are patiently waiting for the snow to melt. Crazy how that works. We were all so so pumped to get so much awesome snow this winter but sad when I realized how far off our high country mountain biking is. Spring in the rockies has been pretty typical. Going a week with BEAUTIFUL weather where all you want to do is play outside, to waking up one morning with 4" of snow on the ground again. These days are tough, but I try to think forward and know that this snow will soon be hero dirt.
May was here before I knew it and with it the first race of the year. Phil and I loaded up and headed to Moab for the first round of the Scott Enduro Cup. Naturally I was nervous about my fitness considering the rough spring, and also my first spring not dedicated to XC training. But I did my best to stay positive and just think of it as a good starting point. Plus it would be the first race on my new bike!! I am over the top impressed with the new Trek Slash 9.9. Last year I was constantly wishing I had more bike, that is not the case this year. The Slash is a dream come true. Not only is it the most capable bike I have ever ridden, it is also the most beautiful.
The pre- ride was HOT... we did our best to get the riding done in the morning and rest in the afternoon. Clouds rolled in on race day and brought lower temps with them (thank goodness). The conditions were ideal and my bike was ready to rip. It was great to be back on the start line with all of the awesome ladies again! Stage one had a good mix of pedaling and pumping. I was almost to the bottom when I popped off a small roller and my front wheel hit a rock on the landing, sending me into full recovery mode! LUCKILY, I was able to save it but PHEW it was SO SO close! I finished the stage and was happy with how it went. Last year I had a slide out in one of the first corners so I was excited to make it through clean this year. Stage 2 was the longest stage and had some challenging blind corners. One of which I found myself off the trail and putting a foot down to get back on track. But again made it down the stage without a full on mistake and was excited about the next two stages.
As I transferred over to stage 3 I saw Phil. This can't be right, Phil should be on his way to stage 4? What is he doing here? As I got closer I noticed that he was holding his arm and his clothing was covered in blood. UGH! NO! When I asked what had happened he told me that he had clipped a juniper tree on stage 3 and it had cut his arm. He told me not to worry that he was just going to go get a few stitches and that I should keep racing. I asked multiple times if he was sure... Phil assured me that he would be fine and that there wasn't anything I could do at the hospital anyways. Hesitantly I continued on to stage 3.
I raced stage 3 cautiously nervous about the Junipers catching my arms and cutting me too. I made it down and headed to stage 4. I kept checking my phone to see if Phil had called or any updates on stitches. Nothing but "go fast" texts and "how did that stage go?" I updated Phil and kept racing. Stage 4 was the most fun, blasting through rocks and not much pedaling. Once I finished stage 4 I quickly headed back to check in and grab the van so I could head to the hospital.
I raced stage 3 cautiously nervous about the Junipers catching my arms and cutting me too. I made it down and headed to stage 4. I kept checking my phone to see if Phil had called or any updates on stitches. Nothing but "go fast" texts and "how did that stage go?" I updated Phil and kept racing. Stage 4 was the most fun, blasting through rocks and not much pedaling. Once I finished stage 4 I quickly headed back to check in and grab the van so I could head to the hospital.
I was just about to the hospital when I got a phone call from the ER. The nice lady at the front desk had called me wondering how close I was because my husband really wanted to see me before he went back. Went back where? I thought this was only a few stitches? Shouldn't he be done by know? These were all of the questions that were going through my head as I was walked back to Phil. I got into the room and he was hooked up the the IV and the nurses filled me in on what was going on. Phil had a very very deep cut on his arm that they needed to take him to surgery in order to clean it out and stitch him up from the inside out. In the next few minutes they were leading the anesthesiologist into the room, letting me know that I should go fill his perscription before the pharmacy closed, and rolling Phil back for surgery.
Only a few stitches he said. I will be fine he said. It wasn't until I was in City Market filling the prescription did I look at the picture the nurse had took of the cut. Tears filled my eyes immediately. It was much much much worse than I thought and now knew why he needed surgery. I headed back to the hospital to sit in the waiting room. I was the only person there and the receptionist was SO great. She helped keep my mind off things as we waited for the nurse to come and bring me back to Phil. Dr. Quinn the surgeon came out to give me an update. They cleaned it out and sewed him up but it was imperative that we watch for infection the next few days.
When I finally got to go back and see Phil he was still a little loopy from the anesthesia which was pretty funny. He was sore but in good spirits. We got the okay from the nurse to be discharged and headed back to the race venue to pick up the tent and possibly make it to awards. We made it back in time for awards but by this time it was SO windy and starting to rain. We quickly got the girls who were there together for a podium picture and then loaded up and headed back to CB.
Thank you so much to the racers who helped get the bleeding under control, to my fellow races for telling me it was going to be okay, to the whole staff of the Enduro Cup for getting Phil to the hospital as quickly as possible. Thank you to the doctors and nurses at the Moab Regional Hospital for stitching him back together. And to the Nolan's for helping bring back our car from Montrose.
Phil update: The stitches are out and he has been cleared to ride! The human body is truly amazing. So thankful to have my riding buddy back in action!
CAUTION PICTURES BELOW!! (Only after pictures, the before is to gnarly for a blog)
Only a few stitches he said. I will be fine he said. It wasn't until I was in City Market filling the prescription did I look at the picture the nurse had took of the cut. Tears filled my eyes immediately. It was much much much worse than I thought and now knew why he needed surgery. I headed back to the hospital to sit in the waiting room. I was the only person there and the receptionist was SO great. She helped keep my mind off things as we waited for the nurse to come and bring me back to Phil. Dr. Quinn the surgeon came out to give me an update. They cleaned it out and sewed him up but it was imperative that we watch for infection the next few days.
When I finally got to go back and see Phil he was still a little loopy from the anesthesia which was pretty funny. He was sore but in good spirits. We got the okay from the nurse to be discharged and headed back to the race venue to pick up the tent and possibly make it to awards. We made it back in time for awards but by this time it was SO windy and starting to rain. We quickly got the girls who were there together for a podium picture and then loaded up and headed back to CB.
Thank you so much to the racers who helped get the bleeding under control, to my fellow races for telling me it was going to be okay, to the whole staff of the Enduro Cup for getting Phil to the hospital as quickly as possible. Thank you to the doctors and nurses at the Moab Regional Hospital for stitching him back together. And to the Nolan's for helping bring back our car from Montrose.
Phil update: The stitches are out and he has been cleared to ride! The human body is truly amazing. So thankful to have my riding buddy back in action!
CAUTION PICTURES BELOW!! (Only after pictures, the before is to gnarly for a blog)