Where there is desire

There is gonna be a flame

Where there is a flame

Someone’s bound to get burned

But just because it burns

Doesn’t mean you’re gonna die

You’ve gotta get up and try, and try, and try

Gotta get up and try, and try, and try

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

 

— “Try”, Pink (2012)

I’m an endurance runner not a skier.  BUT first-and-foremost I’m a Coloradan – it snows, we ski.

LOVE the concept of skiing, LOVE snow, high mountains, thin air.  Fear the pain of hitting hard, long-term injury.  That said — life’s meant to be lived.  No excuses, no wish I would’va – just LIVE & live BIG.

K* decree: at least once a year, every year…he will ski.  AND he will enjoy it 🙂

Post-work Friday travelled to Vail with my neighbor Larry.  Drive-share, room-share, skied on a buddy pass – Larry’s the guy to know when planning a Colorado ski vacation.  Airbnb’d in a mountain home, block or 2 from the local shuttle system – easiest/quickest way to reach the slopes (and it’s FREE vs $40 to park your car).

Saturday a.m. snow run (‘cause every day’s a run day), change of clothes, shuttle pick-up, Vail Village by 10:30.  Gondola ride UP to a choice of ski lifts.  Super cool.  Not my experience at A-Basin or our local Eldora…but I guess this is ‘Vail’.

Bad skier guide: GREEN, yes.  Black DIAMOND, heck no.  Life’s meant to be lived – but ya gotta know your limits.  4 runs from Mid-Vail before lunch, rode UP to Wildwood for lunch.  Nothing like a warm bowl of chili.

Afternoon-skied 2 runs from Wildwood, then Gitalong trail down to Vail Village.  Heavy snowfall.  LONG LONG ski on Gitalong — expected to see the Pacific at the end of my ride.  Hit hard more than a few times.  After one tumble, unlatched my binding on the attached ski, recovered its missing mate, steadied myself/rattled, struggled to stand, breathed long & deep.  ENOUGH!!!  Not a super proud moment.  Friend encouraged [me] back into skis & continue the journey home.  Next time: take the Gondola – HA!

Bruised but undeterred, I’ll be baaack 🙂  Skied the biggest, baddest mountain in Colorado, came home unbroken PLUS logged a few run miles at altitude — achieving life balance…baby steps.  #noregretlife

Next weekend: the inaugural Pueblo Marathon (short 2 ½ hours from home)

Vail Ski Day