I think every skier understands what I mean when I say that in the ski world, nothing ever runs as planned.
Training on NTDC this year has been great. I have learnt a tone over the summer and fall, and feel like I have worked harder then I ever have, and accomplished a lot. By the start of November I was completely ready to head out west for a few weeks of on snow training then the beginning of a long anticipated race season. Sure enough I have now been out west for almost two weeks and have skied on snow for only two days. The rest of the time I have been flat on my back, sick in bed. It started out with a really bad ear infection that lasted a good 4-5 days. Every time I opened my eyes the world was spinning in circles around me, so much that I was nauseous and sick to my stomach. As a result I was unable to eat or drink for 2 straight days. And when I finally did start to feel better I had to slowly teach my brain how to balance, walk and ski again.
Things started to look up. Luckily the first races of the season had been postponed due to lack of snow, which meant I had a whole extra week to recover. Hurray! I was on snow again ready to finally get some training in. Of course things were not going to happen the way I hoped. Two days later I was back in bed with a sore throat and a cold. Just my luck. I guess in my anticipation to get back on track I forced my body to do more then it could handle.
Yeah, ok so it kinda sucks. The races are a week away and I haven’t done intensity for a month. But situations like this happen all the time and you have to learn how to deal with it. Maybe my first races of the season will not go as I hopped, or who knows, maybe they will. But they are only the first races of the season, and I have plenty of time to get back in shape for the most important races of the year. Looking at the big picture, I still have a solid amount of training under my belt to have an awesome season and this little bump in the road is not going to slow me down.
I have nothing to complain about. Look at my teammate, Brittany. She is a HUGE inspiration to me. She broke her leg quite badly in the summer and is on the long road of recovery. Her perseverance and dedication to bounce back both mentally and physically is something can’t even imagine being able to do. She is able to keep everything in perspective while staying positive and believing in herself. Brittany is as tuff as nails and I know she will be back at’er in only a matter of time.
