If a door closes, look for a window

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
“I started thinking about it last year when I was injured and couldn’t run,” said Newcastle High School junior Tristan Troftgruben about his cycling career. 
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Running has always been a passion for Tristan, but due to scar-tissue injuries from skiing and biking accidents, he was out of the running competition for quite a while. However, he didn’t let that stop him from competing, so while he was in Grand Forks, N.D., working at The Skin and Bike Shop over the summer, he pursued his cycling passion.  
“His injury was the hamartia in his running. He has not been able to compete at the best of his ability,” said Jessica Troftgruben, the junior’s mom. “Because of that injury, he took to biking and has been racing to keep that competitive edge. … Had he not been injured, he probably wouldn’t be cycling like he is now.”
And the results did not disappoint. On Saturday, Sept. 5, Tristan competed in a 60-mile cycling race in Cody, placing fourth overall with a time of 4 hours and 33 minutes. 
“He did a wild 60-mile race through crazy terrain. He ended up taking fourth place, which was unexpected with all of the adults who race regularly,” Jessica said. 
Even though this was his first season competitively cycling, Tristan out-pedaled everyone his age. He trained whenever he could during his work and practice schedule, even if that meant waking up at 4 a.m. to squeeze a ride in. He competed twice in North Dakota this past summer, but he didn’t want to stop there. 
“I wanted to get another race in this season,” he said. 
Working at the bike shop allowed Tristan to learn how to fix bikes and compete. One of his co-workers told him about the race in Cody, so Troftgruben signed up for the grueling competition. There were three different events to choose from: 20-, 60- and 100-mile races. Tristan chose the 60-mile race. 
“Tristan had no idea what he was getting himself into. … When he decided to do the 60-plus miler, I was nervous. I didn’t want him to injure himself more,” Jessica said. “In true Tristan form, he said he was going to compete at the level his body would allow him.”
The weather proved to be really nice, even though it snowed the following day, Tristan said, but the hardest part about the course was the momentous hills that were just as hard to walk up as they were to pedal. Biking without end pushes him and challenges his competitive spirit, he said. 
“It challenges yourself mentally and physically,” Tristan said, but he said he enjoys the gravel races because he never knows what’s around the next corner. 
And one never knows what’s around the next corner of life. During Tristan’s sophomore year of running, he secured a time that placed him at the top in the state. With two years left, he had a lot of potential and room to grow, Jessica said, until injuries ruined that for him. Although he is still running, he can’t compete at the caliber he once did. But “instead of dwelling the on ‘what could have been,’” Tristan rose to the occasion and continued supporting his team and finding different ways to compete and stay active, she said. 
“I am extremely proud in watching him conquer the ability to compete in sports that did not put him in the forefront of state competitions with himself and his team,” Jessica said. “His injury, which affected his running ability, has not affected his competitive drive towards his own personal goals. He has become stronger both physically and mentally due to the injury.” 
Jessica said she hopes people are inspired by her son’s story to “still be active and healthy” and “find things they love in the face of adversity and medical issues.” 
“Even though it has been tough to watch his struggles, I know everything happens for a reason,” she said.