Cross country skiing 2 weeks ago, today was Downhill day. Can’t live in Colorado without attempting our #1 sport.
Travelled to Eldora with my Colorado friends, Annmarie & John, who patiently baby-sat thru lesson sign-up & equipment rental – before dropping me off at Ski School & hitting the slopes independently (both already experienced skiers).
Made fast friendships with 3 folks at Ski School before our class was split because of size. Our first 2 hours (before lunch break) was super elementary because of varying skill levels within the group — consisting of me, a lady named Kate, a CU sorority & 4 guys from Pakistan. Pairing was like a reality show social experiment.
After lunch our group was split again based on ability level – and FINALLY hit the slopes! (Getting down the basics is essential but who doesn’t want to ‘ski’ after you’ve enrolled in Ski School? :)) Me & my new all-girl group learned to traverse – and most important, how to STOP. Didn’t want to end up wrapped around a tree 2 ski outings in a row.
Had to endure riding the ‘Magic Carpet’ before graduating to the beginner’s ski lift. Riding the ‘Magic Carpet’ was our Ski Class, a blind skiing group (literally BLIND), and thousands of wunderkinder. Yeah…a slightly humiliating experience.
wunderkind [ˈwʌndəˌkɪnd (German) ˈvʊndərˌkɪnt]
1. a child prodigy
2. a person who is exceptionally successful in his field while still young
Everything AFTER the ski lift – AWESOME! Skiing is definitely in my blood. LOVED it! I think the key is being aggressive & showing no fear (like a wunderkind). Once you start over-thinking, you end up on your backside – in a pile with others.
Completely hooked! LOVE this sport, LOVE this place! Think I’ll buy a season pass next year.
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- equipment rental
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- dropped off by my ‘ski parents’ for a 4-hour lesson (you’re coming back, right?)
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- still smiling after lunch break – ready to hit the SLOPES!
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- FINALLY! Riding the lift & downhill skiing! YES!
January – new year, new resolutions.
Honestly, have found it difficult to start & maintain my 2013 Resolutions. I’m not much of a reader and have ‘reading’ targets in 2013. I hate running thus far and have a marathon goal in 2013. AND kicked off the New Year sick. Ho hum.
mid-January FAST FORWARD — 7 consecutive days of running, 3 consecutive days of drinking 100 oz of water, dozens of bananas consumed (my 2013 power fruit) & rededicated FOCUS to LIVE SIMPLY.
Can’t say that everything has ‘clicked’ & I’ve found a resolution rhythm yet, but today I feel stronger.
I CAN do this. I think the key is consistency and enjoying life treats along the way.
Last night was ‘80’s movie night – Flash Gordon. ROCKSTAR flic! Fun music, horrible acting, low-budget campy fun.
Donated another pint of my finest B+ today (it’s been 60 days) AND Saturday I’m downhill skiing with Annmarie & John (‘though wearing a helmet this time — still wearing bruises from tree hugging 2 weeks ago :)).
MOVE, LIVE NOW! 2013 is gonna be an amazing year!
’80’s movie night – Flash Gordon
8 degrees and light snow – SUPER COLD start to my first race of the year. YIKES!
Bundled up and on a mission this day – gonna kick-off my 2013 New Year’s Resolution & of course, enjoy a huge bowl of Quaker oatmeal at Lafayette Colorado’s Oatmeal Festival.
Folks: Not gonna spin this happy, had not run since December 1st. Today’s time was 2 minutes faster than my Colder Boulder finish – which isn’t soooo bad considering the cold & my lack of any prep. I did finish. But yeah, I was sucking wind.
UPDATE: Fast forward 2 days, have logged in an additional 6 miles in single digit temps. Think it takes 3 weeks to start & successfully create lasting change. Day 3 – still hate running (just calling it out — in the event others are also struggling with 20-13 goals). For me it’s nothing physical, all completely mental. No run rhythm, pace akin to speed walking 🙁 & I’m clock-watching before I finish 2 miles. Ugh. Change is not easy.
Something positive…hmmm.
I have finally started this year’s Resolution. I’m gonna do this; this WILL happen – just gotta keep my eye on the prize. Expect to see pics from my 2013 target marathon in Anchorage Alaska on June 23rd.
How cool is that – ALASKA!
Results for K R Haga:
You placed 185th out of 654 finishers in a time of 27:37 for a pace of 8:54 per mile. Your chip time was 27:30.
2013 Quicker Quaker 5K
weathered COLD 8° temp w/ Brett & Austin
heaping bowl o’ oatmeal
