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@C_cbeach : Hang on, this is gonna take awhile (TL;DR just go for it) The first thing I want to say is that you should follow your dreams. Norman Vincent Peele said “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Even if you don't break into the sharp end of the WC field, you'll learn a lot about yourself, as @EBlackwell said. The second thing is be judicious about where you get advice. @TEAMROBOT raced DH professionally, and @Stiksandstones was a pro mountain biker, married to one of the all-time legendary women's DH racers, and...

Reminded me of this:

Same! Got into MTB from racing MX. Still do both but planning on trying on trying my first DH race this summer. But yeah, looks like he really crushed the tight switch backs and off camber on the DH bike to pull ahead.

I have worked with many athletes from a variety of sports who have had COVID and had a variety of struggles after. Some short lived some long term (read: several months). As many have noted here there is some time needed for the lungs and body to recover from the virus even after your body has fought off the virus. Frequently when it takes for then a few days or a week to recover and you fitness doesn't bounce back, chronic fatigue lasts months there is an autonomic nervous system dysfunction that occurs. Basically your body thinks it under lots...

I understand a permanent reduction in some lung capacity may be an aftereffect of that virus. I hope that's not the case with you. In (somewhat) happier news, you could be "overtrained" if you are still coming back from an illness and immediately trying to get back to your previous fitness level. It might be better in the long run for you to rest for a week or two, then start your training regimen back up.

I must admit i appreciate this opinion but since making this post i have realised anything is possible in life if u put ur whole heart into it and push everything into it so if my brain keeps telling me this is what i want then i will keep on pushing and so far i have only been progressing every single day so im not giving up on this anytime soon i want to be a downhill racer