Unfortunately, the "BIKE GODS" were against Madison today.  Back it up to Saturday.  She had an awesome practice and about 90% of the course was the same as our family loop (we do at least twice a month).  She has never done a XC race at Carter, but has competed in (2) 6 hour endurance races there and did very well.  So today going into the race, she felt extremely confident and relaxed. 

Madison's great mood quickly made a turn for the worse. Kind of like for Christmas, you were expecting a new set of wheels and you got some ugly sweater. Well, Madison was expecting to do very well and it went to crap in a matter of minutes.  She crashed on Horseshoe (a trail she has been on a thousand times without difficulty). Flipped over the handle bars landing on her face and shoulder.  When I came across her shortly after the crash, she was riding with one hand and looked to be in a lot of pain.  She had planned on continuing with a the race, but I pulled her out.  As a father, it was a difficult decision to make, but I felt that in her condition it would be way too dangerous to go on (especially with the second finger being in the race course).

It was a quiet drive home. Madison was disappointed in herself and felt like she let everyone down.  After some time passing by and a little pep talk, she started to feel better.  All and all, I think she had a pretty good race season and some cool changes are under way for next year.