Mt. Hood with the WP Freeski Team

Our Winter Park Freeski Team had the amazing opportunity to go to Windell's Ski and Snowboard camp this summer. What a great experience and a great group of kids! This year, I went as a coach. We had 14 kids total.... wild and out of control!! Just kidding. Well, it was wild but we stayed in control most of the time :) We went for a total of 2 weeks and had such an amazing time I think all of us, plus more, will be returning next year for more fun and great memories to be made. 

Here's a pic of our some of our team members with our new friend, Sean, we met at the Windell's skate park. Sean was 11 years old and RIPPING this skate park hard! It was amazing to watch!! We decided to get his autograph now since we will most likely be seeing him in the X games in a few years! 

We rented humongous, sweet house right on the river in Mt. Hood. Just the stay at the home itself was amazing!! Right off our balcony was this view of the river... can't beat that!! The kids and us coaches really enjoyed the house! It also had a hot tub, which on a ski trip is an essential item!!

The skiing, for the beginning of July, was UNREAL! They had so much snow, so many features to play on and the size of their jumps was crazy! They had great jumps and even a 70 and 100 footer! Pretty awesome. This trip was different for me than most summer camps I've been to because 1. I am still healing from my knee surgery and was not allowed to hit any features (minus one refrigerator box which was great) and 2. I was a coach instead of just an athlete! 

Overall, despite my heartache from not being able to participate in the fun on the features, I had a WONDERFUL time!! My favorite part?! Watching the kids learn new tricks. It's so awesome to watch and be a part of the kids improving and enjoying such an awesome sport! This trip I worked mostly with the girls. We had fun time and definitely bonded over those 2 weeks! I'm SO proud of everyone for pushing yourself and getting after it!! You guys ROCK!

Along with skiing, there were 2 other highlights which stand out on this trip.


 #1: Burton Ladies' night at Windells. Us girls had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We just though it might be a dance party or something... right?!! WRONG. You get blindfolded and get a partner and put makeup on them with your eyes closed. Let's just say.... HILARIOUS!!!! My partner happened to win the entire thing!! She won a new backpack and helmet. It was great. We laughed so hard we almost peed our pants a lil bit :)

#2: We went to the punch bowls and found a nice picnic spot and a great little cliff to jump off into FREEZING FREEZING cold water (yes, I said freezing 2x... because it was THAT COLD!). Everyone eventually jumped in, me being last (had to get my courage up).  It was a beautiful little spot along the river and quite a memorable and fun time.  Here's one of the boys gettin' er done. 

Lunch time on the river... and on the mountain! Could you eat lunch in a prettier place?!! I think not :)

And as always, the trip had to come to an end even though I'm sure we could have all stayed there for the summer. The drive there and back was 20 hours and actually went by very fast. Next year I am looking forward to returning and being 100% healthy and able to join in on the skiing! However, in spite of that, I had the time of my life. Thanks to everyone who came and I'm looking forward to next year!! WHOO!

Micro-fracture Knee Surgery: On the Road to Recovery: Just keep swimming...

Today is May 10th, which means I am 6 months and 5 days out of my micro-fracture knee surgery. What a long, grueling, emotional roller coaster it's been! And unfortunately it's not over. However, I'm a strong believer that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. ahhhh. I hate saying it but it's SO TRUE!

I have been rehabbing and training hard with my trainer, Tammy Reno (who, thank God for her, I don't know where I would be without her help and expertise), to get back to 100% strength. I never imagined it would be this difficult. After 2 ACL reconstructions, I thought this micro-fracture cartilage surgery would be a cakewalk compared to the ACL. Boy, was I wrong!! After 6 months and lots of tears and time in the gym, I've still got a ways to go. I can finally feel small improvements. The pain is still there, but I can feel my left leg getting stronger. 

I am getting to that point where I need to push myself mentally and stay strong emotionally, which is very difficult for me to do. Exactly a year ago I was in the best shape of my life and here I am now, struggling to bend my knee in a lunge and still, not quite allowed to run or jump (June 5th I should get the release from the doc... I really can't WAIT ANY LONGER!!). I'm frustrated at how out-of-shape I feel and the pain that still occurs on a day-to-day basis. All I can do now is keep pushing.... keep pushing and keep pushing. 

I love the movie "Finding Nemo" well one because it's obviously awesome and two because the quote: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." And sometimes, it's as SIMPLE AS THAT! Keep on keeping on, perservere, and don't give up! 

As much as I sometimes want to throw in the towel, I won't ever let myself do that. Despite the tears, the doubt, the pain and the fear, I won't give up. It may take me a year or more to be back to 100% athletic shape, but I can do it. One day at a time. I know it won't be easy... but it will most definitely be worth it! And the things I'm looking forward to doing most: skiing, DANCE PARTIES, running, mountainbiking, and being free from pain! 

Yeah. Can't wait to slide a box and hit a jump once again. That will be a WONDERFUL day for me! :) 

A tribute to Sarah Burke

My favorite skier of all time, Sarah Burke, passed away yesterday. She was my idol. My hero. She lived her life to the fullest and loved life. I had the privilege of getting to know Sarah when I went to summer ski camp in Whistler at Momentum. I was lucky enough to go 2 summers for a session. Each time I got the chance to ski with her and she taught me a lot. She also made me laugh a lot! She was a fun girl with a great attitude and lots of spunk.

I will never forget her and will always ski for her. I will miss her dearly. Thanks Sarah for everything you did for women's freeskiing. We wouldn't be where we are today without you!! Much love your way and look forward to skiing with you in the afterlife. xoxo

LOVE LIFE.