Sunday, February 1, 2009

Slip Sliding

We kissed the babe yesterday morning and happily handed him off to his grandparents for a half day of skiing. This was our first trip of the season and the equation of post-baby body plus new ski boots equaled easy slopes and leisure riding.

That was until we met up with a buddy of Aaron's in the cafeteria when we were grabbing some lunch. After rubbing the hurt out of my feet, swigging my last sip of beer (liquid courage) and bundling back up, we headed out.

Needless to say, we found some more challenging runs.

I took a tumble. A big one.

I don't like moguls but the run we were taking had them so I didn't have a choice in avoiding them. I've skied moguls hundreds of times in the 20 years I've been skiing, but I've never felt confidant enough so I usually just avoid them. I don't know if I just wigged myself out of what but I hesitated about a third of the way down the slope, as I went to slow down, I caught an edge and found myself tumbling down the hill.

I literally fell the rest of the way down the run, mostly backwards, landing with a thud on the cat track. Aaron thinks I fell about 200 feet if that creates a visual. I wish we could have gotten it on film because I know I could have won some money with all the screaming and flailing. I think the worst part was I kept trying to grab at the snow to slow myself down yet could not stop.

I laid on the ground for a second trying to decide if I was dead or not. After realizing I was fine, I gingerly stood up, put my skis back on (thanks to my husband who so nicely retrieved them) and skied down the rest of the run.

I'm pretty sore today in my neck and shoulders but I don't even have a bruise to show for it. Aaron and I have been laughing about it non stop, but in the back of my mind, I keep thinking how thankful I am to be telling this story from the warmth of my own home and not a hospital bed.

We decided I had some angels cushioning that fall.

So, next time, a few less moguls and a few more blue square runs. I'm becoming more and more of a fair weather skier, and after yesterday, I think I'm okay with it. (Maybe I'm just getting old?)

3 comments:

Fine For Now said...

I have only been skiing once in my life and it was 11 years ago...this was also the only time I have ever seen feet and feet of snow! My husband has never been skiing or has ever seen more than snow flurries!

Skiing was so much fun and also so scary. I think I was pretty bold, back then at age 15 with nothing to lose. If I went back any time soon, I'm sure I would be a huge chicken...and for that you are my hero.

So, I'm glad you are okay because that sounded super scary..and also mildly funny at the same time :)

Anonymous said...

The picture I have in my head of you falling (and flailing, screaming, clawing, etc) is much better than any video would ever be.

Anonymous said...

I was laughing out loud as I read this (with you of course - not at you.) I think I know which run you were on, so that makes the visual all the more real for me.

Sorry to hear about the bumps and bruises, but way to go for keeping up with the big skiers (in your own way of course!)

-Libby