where I left off

Last time I posted was right before the Tallahassee FSC race. Ill try to summarize and bring you up to speed on the current events.
Tallahassee wasnt a very good race. I had a lazy week of riding right before and it cost me an 8th place finish. I just couldn't perform like I needed too. Ryan brought home the victory as this was his last XC race of 2008. what better way to end a season than with a win?

next up was Alafia, round 4. Tallahassee got me fired up and I got a solid 2 weeks of training. I even put on a lighter saddle and cranks for that extra edge! preriding the course went really well and I knew I would be able to roll the course good, and I felt like I had a good snap to my legs. BUT... Sunday morning as I get to the track and I am taking my bike off the rack, I go to squeeze my rear brake, and it is gone! I try pumping the lever to see if I can get some braking back, but nothing happened, other than brake fluid leaking onto the lever. Needless to say I raced the entire Alafia race with no rear brake. I got the holeshot, and lead the first mile or two, but once bounds victor and martin got by I just couldnt quite hang onto their wheel. I slowly watched 5 guys ride away from me as I ended up with a sixth place finish.

Miami was Round 5 and ended up being another 6th place. I felt decent power wise, but I am still learning how to flow that course and just couldnt keep up with the lead group.

Now starts my sickness Saga... I started getting a cold and all that sinus junk right before the Alva race. I also decided to try a new gel during this race which probably wasnt a good idea. I didnt have a good start but managed to stay close to the front group for a little while. on the second lap my stomach turned south and I found myself throwing up on the side of the trail. I started calming back down and picking it back up on the third lap, and then had a pretty solid 4th lap. I managed to pull out a 7th.

Next up we headed to Gainesville at the San Felasco trails. Preriding was great. the sun was out, the trails were in great shape. Race day on the other hand... the flood gates opened up and it suddenly became a nasty mud race, as well as a cold front right behind the rain. I was still recovering from having a cold, but excuses aside I just didnt have the power or what it took to keep up. I walked away with another 7th place finish.

after a couple weeks off and getting better we had the final race of the Series. It definetly helped that it was at Santos! I was able to pull out a 4th place finish. I was leading the last lap up until about 2 miles from the finish. I ran out of gas and came in about 30 seconds back.

I finished 4th in the series after a rollercoaster season. I am very happy and thankful I am able to compete at this level and be one of the front runners. I thank my Lord and Savior for giving me the ability and chance to race. My parents for standing behind me and supporting this crazy dream. Matt and Julie Goforth for letting me ride for them and all there support through the year. Kurt Leverett for his advice and talks. Drew Edsall for his advice and testing. Martin Cox for all the road trips and bein a good friend. everyone else that I know I am forgetting! And of course my brother, Ryan Woodall. I couldnt have done it without you!