^{We looked at a map of the course and found out where it started. Then we got the bikes out and headed over to the XC race course. I rode the course a couple times to get familiar with it. On the ride my finger hurt a little bit, and was causing a little trouble. I found out that if I used my middle finger to brake, I wouldn't have to bend it as much. I was pleased to discover that my finger probably wouldn't slow me down in the race.}

^{After my bike was race-ready I went to eat a nutritious dinner and prepared to go to bed. I had trouble falling asleep because there were so many things going on in my mind, but eventually I was able to clear my head and fall asleep. In the morning I woke up after a good night's sleep. Today was the day I needed to prove myself. I was excited and nervous. I could already feel the adrenaline building up.}

^{I went to the start line about 30 minutes before my race started in hopes that I could get on the front line. It didn't happen. They called everyone up to the line by their bib number. I ended up being in the middle of the group on the third line. It all came down to this, I thought. I heard the whistle, the race began, it was a fast start, but I wasn't fast. We hit the steep hill at the beginning of the race. I found myself near the back of the group in 27th place. Only 10 riders were behind me on that first hill. I was thinking about how stupid I was to get myself into this position, but I pulled myself together and began to pass people.}

^{My rest was short-lived. Soon, I saw someone go by me and everyone else to get into first place. I later found out it was Joe Christiansen. Soon, Joe had about a 50 yard gap between him and second place. I knew I had to bridge the gap. I passed the people in front of me and got into 2nd place. It was a painful time in my race. I felt a tightness in my chest and felt a little short of breath, but I kept riding.}

^{I got out on the dirt road at the top. I looked behind me. Joe was now about 50 yards behind me. I could see the beginning of the singletrack and the decent ahead. I only needed to make it there, and I knew I could rest. It seemed forever, but I finally made it. I was on the decent with a small gap between me and 2nd place.}

^{After the race I felt almost as bad as I did during the race. I became very lightheaded and dizzy, I felt like I was going to pass out. Luckily, my dad went to get me an energy drink and I soon felt better, but still extremely tired, I assumed it was the altitude getting to me. The awards ceremony was at 5:30. I was feeling a little better now.}

^{I had been hoping, perhaps more than he had, that he could redeem himself at the XC Mountain Bike Nationals, after he had been so sick for road nationals. Now it seemed his hopes for that were probably over. It has been an unlucky season for him in the big races. He has performed exceptionally in the ICUP, but no one notices our little Utah race series.}

^{The secondary question, could he ride with a broken finger? We already knew neither of us would be racing at Solitude. The next day he rode his road bike and shifting and braking were difficult, but possible. He could probably race in a week if the rest of the pain in his body could subside. He rode a little on the road before we left on Wed. It looked like he would be able to ride. His knee was better and his finger was not too painful. He had figured out a two finger braking method that should work. He wouldn't need to bend his finger much, which was good because bending it much was not yet possible.}

^{On Friday, race day, I know I was more nervous than Justin. My heart was beating pretty fast. We had discussed that getting as close to the start line in the lineup of the 37 racers in the 13-14 yr old race would be important, so Justin finished his warm up early and was one of the first to go to the start area. Then they announced that racers would be called up to the line by bib number. I had my fingers crossed that Justin would be called up early. He ended up in the third line of six riders. Not great, but pretty good position.}

^{With camera ready I waited for the start. Finally the start whistle sounded. Through the camera I looked for Justin. I snapped the first picture. No Justin. I snapped the second picture. No Justin. I was concerned. In the third picture, there he was, finally. Later, in the photos, I counted racers. He was in 27th place out of 37 racers. That was hardly what we had planned.}

^{He had still been coughing a bit, even six weeks after his illness at the disappointing road nationals races. I was a little worried he still hadn't recovered enough from his illness and from his crash one week before. As they came by after the first long lap Justin had moved into second place. Now his position was perfect. Justin was right behind the guy who was 5th on the first steep hill. On the next big lap Justin came by in first. He was 15 seconds ahead of second place. Now all he had to do was hang on.}