After a back injury that really stopped my cycling, I realized time was up and I had to start some training that I knew I needed but had “put off” for too long. I ran into Crystal when I was volunteering for a race. She could immediately see my self splinting posture and asked what was wrong. I told her of my back injury and she told me she could help. I started at the gym. Slow at first but soon ALL my back pain was gone. I trained all through the winter and into the next summer and was feeling great. I was finally getting the core strength I had needed for so long. About a year after starting training, along came the Pierres Hole MTB race at Grand Targhee. For the first time I thought I would do the 50K. I had always done the 100K version of that race but due to my back I thought I would start slow. I had never done the shorter race and because it is shorter I wasn’t sure how I would do. Was it a sprint? Well I felt good race day morning and off we went. I was flying up hills I often suffered on. I passed like 200 people- many of the classes of racers who started ahead of the 50-59 yr. olds which I was racing. I felt great and next thing you know I crossed the finish line. I did not win. But I did get 2nd place. There were 57 racers in my age class and I beat 55 of them. I was shocked and super happy. I attribute my great success to my excellent core strength. I have had a lot of good races and a number of podiums, but I feel that was one of my best races because of the large field. My latest is a partial knee replacement. I have been regular at the gym since 3 weeks after surgery and getting stronger. My goal was another Pierre’s Hole race this summer but it just got cancelled due to Covid, but I am riding strong and regaining my pre op strength. Thanks Wright Training!!
David Saurman
