XC National Championships 2012

Nationals turned out to be the best race in my life. At the start line I stood there filled with excitement observing my competition and I had plenty, one girl was tall and fast for she beat me at nationals the year before. We were ready and I was called up to the start third taking a great place on the line. 10..9.. The music slowly getting louder..5..4.. Pumping up my body...2..1 and we were off. I fumbled not able to get my foot clipped into the pedal but I moved on trying to keep up while spinning with one foot. "click" and I was off racing to the front of the pack. Flying straight to the climb, I was in second pushing myself to keep up with first. By the downhill I was on 1st tail her long blond pony tails bobbing on the side of her head and my memories flashed to the year before. We raced, flying through the crowd, I sped over the flyover and launched myself through the rock garden, rock after rock. I started climbing the hill and found that my competitor was off her bike and running so I rode harder, ignoring the pain, and put myself in first. I held this place up to the last lap and I could see 2nd gaining on me, but this only made me go faster and down the hill I raced going a little above ability. A boy was in front of me and as we sped around a small turn my bike flew out from under me and I was on the ground, but in the blink of an eye I was back on my feet and riding my bike. To the finish I went in full speed and I knew as I raised my arms above my head that I had earned the jersey.

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