Humpty Dumpty did an Xterra – Milwaukee
Humpty Dumpty had 3 great big falls.
Pre-able:
45 minutes before the start, lightning flashed ominously over that big lake next to Milwaukee, and pretty soon rain came down in buckets. Swimming was not meant to happen. We were to do a duathlon instead- 3k run, 30k bike, 10k run. The change of conditions was exciting and it was my first wet Xterra. Most people huddled under the Xterra tents watching the sky pour. The more serious athletes warmed up in the rain, and some (the clever/ prepared ones) used the time to make quick tire changes. I had some bike issues, and the local Specialized mechanic did a quick rear suspension swap in the rain. If I had mud tires with me, I would have thrown them on, but alas, fast, dry condition tires with little baby side knobs (needed for steering in mud) were going to have to do the job.
Tumble #1
Fat FootWarming up I did some strides. Running at full speed on a grassy area, I stepped into an open irrigation box, rolled my ankle, and fell like a sack of potatoes. My ankle really hurt, but after a few big words and some tentative steps and I felt ok. The race must go on. Afterwards I learnt it was a 2nd degree sprain with some partially torn muscles and ligaments.
The cannon boomed and the pros stormed off. Staying with the leaders was crucial, and I rode the bus comfortably.
Once on the bike, 6 of us rode the flat tar and gravel roads behind Brian Smith, a new Xterra pro, who came over from Mountainbiking. Just before the first singletrack section I moved into the lead and got ready to throw down.
Tumble #2
Not Popeyes HamstringI took the first slight corner fast, and could feel the tires drift a little- “ah, not too slippery”, I thought. Already had a gap… The next turn was slightly sharper- actually a fork in the trail, that split both sides around a young tree. I turned, but we went straight. The trail was slippery as snot and I hit the tree at about 30km/h. The tree shaved me clean off my bike. Bike went to the right, my Clif Shots and I were scattered in the mud to the left. Point of impact? Inner thigh.- fortunately low. The thought of a broken femur crossed my mind, but I was already up and riding, so it couldn’t be broken. I looked down and already there was a big welt rising under the purple lines.
Shaken but not stirred, I rode more carefully, caught the leaders, and decided to “just” sit behind Brian for a while- He was riding well, he seems to have good tires, but more importantly, I could judge how slippery the trail was by watching him slide. I was still planning on how, once the trail opens up, and my leg hopefully throb less, I’d dump him, and make some time.
Tumble #3
Fat LipFollowing Brian onto a narrow wooden bridge my bike suddenly disappeared beneath me. I didnt turn, I didn’t touch the brakes, nothing. One moment it was there, the next it was gone. All I remember is the “thud” of my head hitting the railing on the way down. And the back wheel spinning like crazy as I lay there stunned. Must have lost touch with reality for a while there because I went from 2nd to 7th without realizing so many people passing me. Also, the fall knocked my gears in 1st and I had to use a mixture of force, sweet talking and yanking on cables and derailleur to get it to shift again.
By then, all I wanted was my mommy. If I fell one more time, I’d be ready to cry.
The rest of the bike leg I just rode with Brent and Paco. I tried to get away a few times, but I’d slide into a lapped rider that’s bogged down, just to get caught again.
After that I pretty much switched to “survival mode”, and just followed doggedly.
We started the run in 5th, 6th and 7th, 3 min 30 down . The other two took off right away, and I hobbled along, hoping things would hurt less sooner rather than later. The inside of my leg wobbled like a mound of jelly when I ran, (especially anything resembling a downhill) and my ankle, which had a numb pain, loosened up (or deadened completely) and I’m happy to say I was cooking the last 2 miles, almost sprinting down 6th.
The medical tent was carnage. Paco, Brent, Brian and we were only 7 finishers so far! I saw my ankle bulging like a tennis ball and my heart sank to my shoes. Xterra President Janet Clark is a very competent ambulance driver and Brent and I were roomies at the hospital. The nurses spoilt us with polony sandwiches, cream puffs, (and lengthy demos on how to eat a cream puff without spilling cream) sweet bad coffee, X-rays for me, wound scrubbing and a healthy dose of stitches to the huge gash for Brent’s knee.
The verdict was “not broken”, and I hobbled out on crutches. Nyberg carted us home and somehow we squeezed 3 very dirty and broken bikes in the back and 3 very dirty and broken athletes in the front of a family car. Wasn’t so funny then.
Rick Cruse – XTerraThis story was written 10 days later on my way to the next Xterra in Ogden, Utah. With intensive Kiatsu (thanks Brad and Shad) and massage (Mark and Tana), I managed to ride my bike and start swimming 5 days after the race, I ran once, but something under my heel hurt and I’m not planning on running till race day, Utah.
Determined to finish this tragic comedy on a happy note, here is a good story:
My first bike ride back from injury a Yellow jacket flew into my mouth, and before I could spit it out, it gave me a quick love bite! Incredible, but true…
IN AFRICA, THEY BREED US TOUGH !
Conrad
