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I'm sorry for the lack of race day updates as I had promised but in a last minute decision our team trials were moved from Lake Placid to Maine, where I did not have good email access. A few days before the start of our trials races, Lake Placid received a full day of rain and 50 degree weather that forced the organizers to change the venue to Maine. So after celebrating Christmas with my family I packed up my car once again and took off for Fort Kent, Maine.

The conditions in Maine were ideal and they made for a fun and exciting race series. I was there along with 35 other athletes trying out for one of two spots remaining on the World Cup/World Championship Team. I knew if things went well I had a good chance of taking one of the spots but also that their were many other guys right on my heels.

The week prior to the races I was still not feeling 100% healthy and I was forced to really cut back on my training hours. I thought that I was still recovering from my long trip to Norway but something just didn't quite feel right. I ended up seeing my doctor at home and having a bunch of tests run just to be careful and it turned out that I had been suffering from a viral infection. This was definitely not the news that I was looking for with less than five days until my first race. I kept the news completely to myself, not wanting anyone whom I was competing against to feel that I was vulnerable.

After taking a lot of time trying to recover I was starting to feel a bit better the day before the first race. For the start of the first race I was quite nervous, not knowing how my body would react when I really started to race. I was pleasantly surprised during the first race and was really able to push myself, I ended up in second place well ahead of third.

What made me most nervous about the races was that we had three races in three days. Normally I would like this format but I was not sure if I would be able to completely recover in-between races still being a little sick. My fear of this format was well warranted when I woke up the day of the second race not feeling very well. I started the race and could tell that I just did not quite have the same spark as the day before and I ended up in third place, 30 seconds behind first but just 7 seconds behind second.

Going into the third and final race I was virtually tied with a few other athletes for a spot on the team and I knew everything would depend on this race. Waking up the morning of the third race I was really scared because I could tell that the previous two races had brought my sickness right back. Under any other circumstances I would not have raced but being that these were trials I had no choice. This race was one of the biggest battles I have ever had with myself; my body wanted nothing more than to stay in bed but my mind knew I had to race. The race started and I was not feeling great but I pushed myself more than I ever have before and finished in second, only 2.4 seconds from the win. I was disappointed that I got beat by such a small margin but was thrilled because I knew this race assured me a spot on the team!

I just returned home today and have decided to delay my trip to Europe by a few weeks. These last three races have taken a lot out of me and I need time to get 100% healthy again before returning to the World Cup. Its frustrating having to miss out on a few races now but I know that I need time to recuperate and that this will be the best decision in the long run. I will join the team in Torino, Italy, the sight of next years Olympics. I am really looking forward to racing there and getting a chance to familiarize myself with the Olympic course that I hope to be racing on again.

I hope all is well and that you all had a great Holiday Season. Thanks for all of the support.

My Best,

Tim

The author's statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not provided to diagnose any disease or to suggest that liquid glucosamine and chondroitin will treat, cure, or prevent any disease.