The short story: I crashed on lap 3, broke 2 ribs, collapsed my lung, spent 3 days in the hospital and had a chest tube

The long story: My call up position was pretty descent, 3rd row, and I felt ready to race. I was excited about the course, it was fast with lots of short climbs as descents and plenty of interest. The group split quickly after Allison caught her bars and went down about 45 seconds into the race. I was behind her and chased to get back into the group. I settle into a good pace. Lap 2 I was passing people and really feeling good as lightning and thunder were roaring overhead. Then it started to get windy and rainy. As the skies opened up the course changed rapidly. It went from fast and dry to a muddy slip and slide in a matter of 10 minutes. By time I descended the rock steps on lap 3 it was getting sketchy. I fell right after the steps and was covered in mud. The course slowed down immensely and it became an adventure race. I knew I just had to hold my position and finish all 5 laps and I'd be happy with my placement. I was having fun, mud flying everywhere and then: thwack! With no warning on a rocky descent I was on my side letting out a yowl of pain that has never escaped my body before. Immediately I knew there were broken ribs. I couldn't unclip from my bike and the pain was unbearable. Kelly passed me and asked of I was OK. I said "no, send help". A minute later a guy came running over and said he knew the race director. He untangled me from my bike and started the rescue effort. In the end I had to walk out, there was no where for a car to get to me. The race director and 2 medics drove me to the start line so I could get my insurance card. I asked where the closest insta-care was. Luckily, they insisted I go to an ER. But in the meantime I was shaking uncontrollably and covered in mud. I ended up going back to the hotel to shower first, I was too cold to go sit in an ER. Katherine drove me back to the hotel (one of her first times to drive a truck and to drive on the left side of the road!). I called my husband to tell him I thought I was hurt pretty bad, but I still wasn't aware of the seriousness. When we got back to our hotel room and I tried to undress and shower I realized I was in much more pain than I realized. Katherine had to help me take off my muddy shoes and kit. I was able to shower and sort of dress myself, but it was with great difficulty and pain.