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The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT May 8, 2010

| May 8, 2010 9:00 PM

One bad step or false move.

You can be at the peak of physical health when something comes up and knocks you down. For Lake City senior Cody Helbling, the bad breaks seem to happen when he least expects it.

HELBLING, WHO won the 3,200 in last weekend's YMCA Invitational in Boise, was ready to try to contend for the state 5A title in three weeks on that same track.

"I got into town two hours before the race on Friday," Helbling said. "Basically, I ran from the airport to the track and started warming up."

One of those runners standing in his way, Eric Fitzpatrick of Boise, opted to drop out of the race due to illness, giving Helbling a better shot at winning the race.

"When he dropped out, it kind of disappointed me," Helbling said. "I like running against him because he challenges me."

Helbling also competes in the various Foot Locker regional events, with his most recent event coming at nationals in December at San Diego. At the urging of his high school coaches, Justin Taylor and Kent Eggleston, Helbling wanted to increase his level of competition to get noticed by colleges.

Before that, Helbling traveled to the West Regional in Portland, where his outlook changed forever.

"Holy cow," Helbling said. "It was huge. It was by far one of the best experiences I've had. I flew down to the event in San Diego and it was well worth it."

Helbling also won three out of the four races he had entered in the 3,200 during the high school season this spring, with the only non-victory a sixth-place finish at the Pasco Invitational.

That changed Sunday when he returned home.

FOLLOWING the YMCA race, Helbling felt something was wrong and rushed to the doctors upon returning home.

Doctors determined that he had suffered a fractured femur in his left leg, the same injury that cost him his junior track season.

"Something was wrong on Sunday when I got back from Boise," Helbling said. "I've had it before. I just went to the doctor (Wednesday) and they told me to stop running this year. I'm going to get a C.T. scan, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is."

The injury is in the same exact spot as last year and will leave him on the outside looking in at the state meet in two weeks.

"It's pretty frustrating," Helbling said. "It seems like each time I get where I want to, I get hurt. I'm starting to really think there's something wrong with me."

Helbling doesn't believe his training habits are causing him to get injured.

"I'm not overtraining," Helbling said. "I thought it may have been my body mechanics, but had fixed it with orthopedics. I've changed my diet and nutrition, but I've really got no idea what might be causing it."

Helbling finished second in the state cross country meet the past two years, with a third-place finish in his sophomore season. His highest finish in the 3,200 was a third-place finish as a sophomore to go with a seventh-place finish his freshman year.

SHOULD HE make a full recovery, Helbling has signed to compete for Brigham Young University in the distance running program for track and cross country.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Helbling said. "They've got a pretty good program and I'm ready to get down there."

Competing in Provo also gives Helbling a chance to do what he enjoys most - run.

"It's relaxing to go on a run to me," Helbling said. "I like to be outside in civilization. It's the most relaxing time of the day. I'll listen to music to set my pace and look at the trees."

Although the doctors have told him he has competed for the final time at Lake City, Helbling had hoped to return for regionals at Lewiston on Thursday and Friday.

"I can't run with it," Helbling said. "We're still evaluating it, but I'm pretty sure I'm done for the season. It's too bad. The state record could fall this year and it will be a good race."

Unfortunately for Cody, his championship moment at Bronco Stadium came three weeks too early.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached at 664-0239 or via e-mail at jelliott@cdapress.com