yeah, so I'm here and stuff.
Not that I wasn't before. More of the same, I guess.
I've already been skiing a few times this season. Getting used to the new boards, and they're different than the old ones. I've got new boots, too, so it's all feeling different. Better, though - now that I'm used to it. I'm beginning to know enough about what I'm doing to realize the shortcomings (pun intended) of the short boards - mainly that they're not stable at higher speeds.
Back when I was starting, it wasn't an issue - when they started to feel wobbly was about the speed where I started to feel uncomfortable anyway. I'm strange like that - very aware of things rushing by and the very real impression that if I were to lose control and end up in a tree or lift pole, it could be the end of me. Despite all my depressive thoughts, I don't want to go when I'm not trying. Control freak all around, I suppose.
Now, though, it's like skating - I've gotten to where I have a lot more control so I can go faster and still feel like I'm pretty secure, so I'm starting to bump up against the limitations of ski boards. With that in mind, I'm going to try out some different short (150, probably) skis from the ski shop. They have a try before you buy program so I can try out pretty much anything they carry.
Yesterday I was out there all afternoon. It's easy for me to forget how hard I'm working when I'm not getting all hot and sweaty like I do with other exertions. It's like my body forgets how much work it is if I don't have that physical reminder of my exertion. Well, that and it's a lot of fun. I'm not panting or anything, so I don't realize how much work I'm doing until I get to the end of the afternoon and my quads are tightening up to the point of being painful. Then I realize my toes are getting cold because my socks are wet and that my turtleneck is stuck to me underneath all the clothes. But it's a good feeling - that feeling of accomplishment. I have enough form now to see when it starts to slip as I get tired and don't have as much control.
I had to stop myself from going out this afternoon because I'm still way too sore from yesterday, even if I thought I could hack it. Maybe I'll go tomorrow afternoon - especially if we get some snow. I love being out there at night when it's snowing.
Shiva's doing okay these days. She had this freakishly long nail on one of her feet and she broke it the other day. I spent two days obsessing about how I was going to get it shortened or if they'd have to knock her out to fix it somehow, and suddenly it was gone. I had to look around but I found it on the carpet. She's been licking her foot on and off, and it broke off at the very base of it. I'm going to call the vet on monday to ask if we should put her on antibiotics just to be safe, but she seems to not have any problem at all now that it's gone - she's walking great and much happier if still licking that toe a lot. Always something to worry about with her. I'm getting tired of catching myself gritting my teeth and forcing myself to relax my jaw.
Down coats (especially ankle-length ones) really keep you from getting cold. I was reminded of that when I walked the dogs last night after I got back and wore my long coat. I was actually hot by the end of the walk, and it was below freezing.
Sometimes I wonder if it's really legitimate to miss something you never had. I still feel the same sense of loss either way.
I've already been skiing a few times this season. Getting used to the new boards, and they're different than the old ones. I've got new boots, too, so it's all feeling different. Better, though - now that I'm used to it. I'm beginning to know enough about what I'm doing to realize the shortcomings (pun intended) of the short boards - mainly that they're not stable at higher speeds.
Back when I was starting, it wasn't an issue - when they started to feel wobbly was about the speed where I started to feel uncomfortable anyway. I'm strange like that - very aware of things rushing by and the very real impression that if I were to lose control and end up in a tree or lift pole, it could be the end of me. Despite all my depressive thoughts, I don't want to go when I'm not trying. Control freak all around, I suppose.
Now, though, it's like skating - I've gotten to where I have a lot more control so I can go faster and still feel like I'm pretty secure, so I'm starting to bump up against the limitations of ski boards. With that in mind, I'm going to try out some different short (150, probably) skis from the ski shop. They have a try before you buy program so I can try out pretty much anything they carry.
Yesterday I was out there all afternoon. It's easy for me to forget how hard I'm working when I'm not getting all hot and sweaty like I do with other exertions. It's like my body forgets how much work it is if I don't have that physical reminder of my exertion. Well, that and it's a lot of fun. I'm not panting or anything, so I don't realize how much work I'm doing until I get to the end of the afternoon and my quads are tightening up to the point of being painful. Then I realize my toes are getting cold because my socks are wet and that my turtleneck is stuck to me underneath all the clothes. But it's a good feeling - that feeling of accomplishment. I have enough form now to see when it starts to slip as I get tired and don't have as much control.
I had to stop myself from going out this afternoon because I'm still way too sore from yesterday, even if I thought I could hack it. Maybe I'll go tomorrow afternoon - especially if we get some snow. I love being out there at night when it's snowing.
Shiva's doing okay these days. She had this freakishly long nail on one of her feet and she broke it the other day. I spent two days obsessing about how I was going to get it shortened or if they'd have to knock her out to fix it somehow, and suddenly it was gone. I had to look around but I found it on the carpet. She's been licking her foot on and off, and it broke off at the very base of it. I'm going to call the vet on monday to ask if we should put her on antibiotics just to be safe, but she seems to not have any problem at all now that it's gone - she's walking great and much happier if still licking that toe a lot. Always something to worry about with her. I'm getting tired of catching myself gritting my teeth and forcing myself to relax my jaw.
Down coats (especially ankle-length ones) really keep you from getting cold. I was reminded of that when I walked the dogs last night after I got back and wore my long coat. I was actually hot by the end of the walk, and it was below freezing.
Sometimes I wonder if it's really legitimate to miss something you never had. I still feel the same sense of loss either way.