Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Unexpected Change

Today I registered to take a course at the local college...as a full time athlete this can only mean one thing. Yes, I'm injured. It's hard to believe but I won't be racing or even skiing, for the rest of the season. Although at times I have moments of acceptance and even excitement at the new turn my life has taken, I am truly heartbroken. Exactly one week after the World Cup (talk about highs and lows) I crashed in the Super G at Panorma. I won't go into too many specifics but the crash was nothing spectacular. I heard some crunching in my knee that scared me however I wasn't in too much pain. In the days following I saw Dr. Heard and had an MRI. Sure enough, I re-tore my ACL for the third time in the past five years.



 
After what seemed like many days of being in a constant state of ugly crying, I am starting to adjust. It's too much to think about everything I've been through and everything I know I'll have to go through again. For now I am keeping myself busy and avoiding the "what could have been" train of thought.  So far life at home is very different than life on the road. When I'm not activating my glutes or icing like it's my job I have all sorts of time to do things I couldn't do while racing. I've painted my nails more times this week than all of last season. I also threw my very being into re-organizing my room and closet. Coping method? Plus, it's Christmas time, so love and joy are abundant. Yesterday we got our tree and decorated it/I watched it get decorated while icing.

With regards to the future, I'm not thinking too far down the road just yet. I'm going to do everything I can to take care of my knee and take advantage of the time off. I was having so much fun on the Prospect Team and was more in love with ski racing than I'd ever been. It's true what my mom said after observing the many phone calls, texts and e-mails from those who share in my disappointment when she remarked "you sure have a lot of people who care about you."  I want to thank the coaches and staff for constantly being supportive and for providing an amazing summer and pre-season. Also, a big thank you to those who made it possible for me to receive such efficient medical care.. saved me a lot of stress not having to wait too long for my diagnosis.

I might still update the odd blog. Not so much about skiing per say, maybe leaning more towards baking/crocheting/having a social life.

Bye for now and Merry Christmas.

ps: teammates- I think getting to do what we love is a rarer thing than we sometimes recognize..enjoy how awesome it all is. Good luck this season, I'll be watching live timing! (or my dad will, and then he'll tell me how you all did)

Monday, December 5, 2011

World Cup



HEY! I am still coming down from cloud 9 after racing my first world cup yesterday. The whole experience was so straight up cool. After watching Sarah and Tess ski the downhill the day before I started to feel less nervous and more excited. We were all cheering as loud as we could, ringing cowbells and blowing whistles. It was like everyone in the finish felt the same way - so proud of the young Canadian racers.



In the weeks before I talked to Kelly Vanderbeek, Larisa Yurkiw, and Georgia Simmerling about racing World Cup. They were all super generous with sharing their experiences. With their advice in mind, my focus was on enjoying the whole experience and skiing my best.




Tess is stoked!

  It was seriously the perfect bluebird day in Lake Louise. Sarah and I hung out up top, warming up and listening to music. When it was finally time to go I was so pumped and couldn't wait to push out of the start... (there was a little typical 'first race of the season confusion with the start wand'). Other than that, I skied well and the course was a blast.





Thanks to everyone for the crazy amount of support and encouragement. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Sophie, Johanna, Pat, and Arnie for driving out to watch the race. (ski fast) I'm was so thrilled to see you all in the finish.

A little media time



In hindsight, shouldn't have signed kids' new winter jackets.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Pre-Season Fun

This is a quick "post pictures I haven't posted yet because I haven't had fast internet until now" blog. Sidenote: I have fast internet because I am staying at the Chateau in Lake Louise. (hiiiighhh rolllaaa) I'm in Lake Louise because I will be racing in my first World Cup race, and first race of the season, in this Sunday's Super G.

Madi and I building a snow-dog



Larisa and our snowman


Me, Sarah and Tess road trippin


Loki!





Thanks for taking the photos Dr Annie






Until next time Nakiska.