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)