I’m back on skis, and damn it feels great. These photos pretty much say it all…
Atop Buttermilk
Successfully wore the dog out on Wednesday,
But he was happily back for more at Highlands today.
Here’s a quick update.
The screw came out of my heel about a month ago and although I’m not 100 percent recovered yet, I’m feeling better and better. I’m even looking forward to the first SkiMo race of the season at Irwin. I’m once again working with Lindsay Hyman at Carmichael Training Systems, focusing on intervals and intensity to build my top end race capacity. Thankfully, I rode my mountain bike enough this summer to maintain my overall fitness and endurance. Race pace is a different story, and that’s where Lindsay is really helping.
I got out on my skis three times this week. Once up at Buttermilk for two quick laps (first three photos), one day on Vail up to Eagle’s Nest after a PT appointment at Steadman Hawkins, and today up to Highlands, where Skid the Dog and I climbed to the top of the Bowl. My Sportiva Stratos boots still fit great, even now that my left foot has been entirely rebuilt. I was tentative the first day, but by my second run I was skiing with a huge smile and arcing some awesome turns in the soft snow.
After sitting out pretty much all of last ski season, I’m really looking forward to not only SkiMo racing but skiing with my family as well. Both Axel and Juniper will have ski school on Saturdays this winter so Ian and will have lots of days to make turns together, which we’re really excited about. I’m also going to be volunteering with the Nordic Wolves program up at Spring Gulch, helping Juniper and the other kids learn to Nordic ski.
The Irwin Lodge SkiMo race is on December 7th. That gives me a month to get going. Here’s to being healthy and happy again, on and off the snow!
