Playing the game

After my epic crashes is Steamboat my body was pretty sore. I had some fairly well bruised ribs, nose, hips, ankles, and knees. Good fun really! So, as mentioned in my last blog I stayed in Steamboat a little longer than expected, which was great for family time and recuperation. I also met a new friend who really made me realise how lucky I am, how perfect life is and how happy I should be - those sort of people are few and far between, thanks Kevin.

Moving on to Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe I thought my body was on the up, I thought my ribs were healing fine and the scabs were nothing but minor. However, standing at the course on Tuesday I realised I was carrying more than physical injuries from the crashes in Steamboat. Only those who have tried will know what it feels like to pull into a boardercross course. You know that it could be great fun, but you also kind of recognise that there is some serious danger that could result from this silly decision to pull in. Unfortunately for me those latter thoughts were dominating in Tahoe, and lacking confidence is not the way to start training or a race in this sport. So after some tears, some angry and disappointed words and some reflection I decided to take the first day off racing. I just wasn't there yet.

Thus, Thursday was a day of fun filled action in the park and the sun. How lucky am I, this is the bad alternative!? I was hitting big jumps and having fun doing it, I was attacking some pretty killer groomers and loving them and was just happy. Jess Kay came up to shred the gnar for the afternoon which made me very happy, as only hanging with a friend from birth can do. I therefore asked Adam to get my bib so I could see how I felt in the start gate on the second day.

I did it. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't smooth, but I raced! Friday was a great day for conquering demons!! However, I was pretty annoyed that some 'gaper'/punter/incompetent person riding Flow bindings managed to qualify in front of me by not trying to hit the big jump, perhaps I should have taken that lame road. However, I didn't and I didn't qualify being the bubble girl at 9th place by a tenth of a second. With two crashes and a narrow miss at qualifying I realised that this sport is not so scary and I should man up and enjoy it. I'm one of the lucky ones - I have so much going for me outside of this boardercross caper that I really can just enjoy it. If it doesn't work out I'll be turning to the corporate law world in no time!!! (Maybe not, but I'm sure I can find something I enjoy!)

So after a few margaritas, a bit of a gamble in Nevada (I broke even) and a bit of fun with some new friends on the way home I'm feeling good about the big, scary, grand prix in Utah coming up next week. Travel tomorrow so I should probably get to bed.

Sending tipsy and slightly sunburnt smiles from Tahoe.