My
worst characteristic is undoubtedly my patience - or lack of. My best is my
ability to fight. Putting those two together suggests a battle with coming back
from injury where one succeeds by skiing slowly, improving gradually and taking
the time to get back to hard, bumpy, full-on courses.
Inspired
by the positive buzz and happy bubble of inspiration that I gained from being
fortunate enough to experience first hand a few of our fabulous Gold medal
winning performances at the London Olympics, I landed in New Zealand super eager to get
on track to my own PB at the Sochi Olympics 2014.
The
first few days I was forced to ease into the pace since it was soft and dumping
with much necessary snow. I did an easy day GS and felt such great equilibrium
between my left and right turns that I left the hill that day on a high.
The
next opportunity to ski and conditions had changed radically - the previous
moisture in the snow combined with overnight clear skies resulted in perfect
race like conditions. The easy 17 gate corridor of flowing GS gates were far
more difficult than predicted and all of us (I ski with the Canadian Women’s
World Cup Team) fought and battled and, for me, crashed our way down (always good
to get the first one out the way though!) But the challenge was intoxicating.
As ski racers it is hard to not get addicted to arching that perfect turn -
going into the fall line with symmetrical ankle, knee and hip pressure; feeling
the ease of finishing the turn at the gate and being able to actively shift
onto the new outside ski. The new equipment makes this timing of pressure even
more important and, without the parabolic of the ski to help you, the sweet spot
is ever so small. Miss it and you are battling.
I
found the first few gates where the speed is lower and the flow yet to be
established tough - my rhythm was off and I was grinding the turns. After the
bogey gates at the top however, I started to get it. It was far from perfect
but a work in progress. So I forgot about the fact I was returning from injury
and powered on.
Having
had to have the last few days off since, I learnt that 12 runs at the moment is
too much for me! This is my first big injury and the first time I am doing a return
to snow programme. I know I am an over excited personality and I know I frequently succumb to F.O.M.O (fear of missing out - in this case the other girls were skiing
long, hard days - why can’t I? - well, for starters, they don’t have metal right
legs!!!)
Having
pain so specific it can make you feel physically sick is not something you
expect when you are participating in something you love. I know it sounds
cheesy but I was born to ski. The most natural thing in the world for me is
being out in the mountains feeling the snow being sliced by my edges. But at
the moment I am backing off my left turns. I am not committing to them because I am stopped by pain. So once again, I have learnt the only way I know - the hard
way.
Thankfully
we are not panicking as this is the time to learn. After such a great camp in
Zermatt, I came here expecting huge things from myself. And that is okay... in
fact if I didn’t let my expectations run away from me now and again I wouldn’t
be the person I am today. You just have to work with your talents and more
importantly know your weaknesses.
The
weather is coming in which has forced people to take days off - this time
playing into my favour. Two days off my leg will be loved and come Tuesday
I will go up the hill and ski with quality and efficiency, stopping before I feel any discomfort and every day I will do one more run and push myself that
little bit more.
For more information on Chemmy's comeback, check out www.j2ski.com.
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