Going into this year's Mountain Championships I felt awesome. I was pushing higher wattage than ever before and unlike last year was completely healthy. (I raced at Mountain Championships last year on a broken ankle that ended my 2007 season.) However, the thin air at Ogden's high altitudes made my legs feel like they were moving in slow motion. I had no power and was unable to push the wattage I had been able to do just days before. Finishing ninth was a little bit of a dissapointment for me, but should I really be complaining about a top 10 finish? However, I was very happy to slow down Conrad Stoltz just enough to get this photo opportunity with him. Super cool guy, thanks Conrad!
Let's just say I learned my lesson. My family and career are located in Nashville, Tennessee at just above sea level. I will never be able to compete at high altitude races against the boys that live at altitude. Moving to Boulder is not an option, so I'm getting back into my Hypoxico altitude training tent where I should have been as I trained for Ogden. Hypoxico allows me to simulate high altitude environments without uprooting my family and eliminates any advantage the altitude dwellers have on me.
Next Xterra: Xterra National Championships, Lake Tahoe, NV
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