"This weekend at MTB Marathon National Championships was potentially the biggest come from behind effort of my career! I came in 3rd place, and I am THRILLED and incredibly proud of this result. Here’s why. I was on fire and was going for the national champs jersey. I was leading, had a gap, and was so excited...then I flatted on the first downhill about 10 mins into the race and prologue loop. This is my first flat tire ALL season, and this course is the biggest challenge for tires with sharp rocks literally around every turn. I had an awesome support crew out there cheering me on (thank goodness) and my wife, Frazier Blair, giving me splits to the next rider. This was motivating. It was hard to get info out on this remote course so Frazier was KEY to this chase. At some point in the second lap, I knew I was chasing 4th. Then, after 4 hrs of relentless technical racing, with just 15 mins left, Frazier told me the gap to 3rd was 2 mins. WHAT! I went ballistic. A podium was possible after a devastating start. Frazier told me 20 seconds instead of 40, and that was smart because a 20 second gap seems way more surmountable with minutes left in the race. I said ‘oh my god’ outloud to that 20 sec gap but my friend, Rob, said I just growled. I caught 3rd place with just 500 meters to go. I couldn’t even stand up to sprint, I was that empty. I DID IT!!!!! I closed down HUGE time gaps from last place to stand on the podium. I also overcame knee pain that has taken me on and off the bike since World Champs in September. I was able to race mostly pain free on Sunday, and I am so grateful for this. I am also incredibly grateful that Frazier, my parents, and friends showed up BIG time to motivate me and be a part of such a phenomenal day. It was awesome. I wore my Little Bellas custom designed Garneau kit which happens to match perfectly to my new custom Allied BC40 Pride Mountain Bike! It's always a joy to ride in the Little Bellas kit and this definitely gives me extra inspiration in these tough race moments." @leaeatsalot 📸: @rideaperture #louisgarneau #leadavison #mtblife #womencycling #mountainbike