Happy on the slopes with Joe, my instructor for the day

Today was a spectacular day! We started it out the usual, breakfast at 8, arrive at the slopes at 9. We went straight to the long t-bar lift and did a couple runs to get used to the new skis. I immediately felt really good with the skis I had and the longer length really made a difference. I was immediately more confident, and when we had a “race” on the first run, I came down about 3rd out of 10. I was put in the faster group and then we went to the top of the red run (the one we did at the end of yesterday). I was nervous going up, since I had such a horrible time on the T-bar, I made sure I chose someone shorter. It went a whole lot better when I can put the bar under my butt.

We went down and I had a really amazing breakthrough. Everything seemed to be going right, I had excellent rhythm and I was actually enjoying myself and not having to think of all the millions of things you’re supposed to do. It is similar to when I learned the breaststroke, something just “clicked”. I felt really good and the instructor said I looked good too. I was always one of the first ones down (imagine that!) and was always in control and the steepness and speed didn’t bother me. This continued until lunch time and I had a really aggressive mind and wanted to do more and steeper - I got it now!

I couldn’t think much during lunch except for this great breakthrough. I could barely eat anything. We sat at the bar this time and that proved to be the best because we got served in 5 minutes. Yesterday it took them at least 20 minutes. I was so excited to get back out and do more! Times like these are almost an empty happiness because I couldn’t share the moment with Michael. Telling someone about something happy isn’t the same as them actually being there with you.

We went back out and then we started to do jump turns. I did ok, but fell a lot and that broke my confidence as well as wear me out. As the afternoon progressed, I got worse and worse until I couldn’t go down anymore. I now was afraid of doing the harder red run because I was just falling all over the place. I was disappointed in myself, but realized that I do have limits and it’s ok to stop when I’m tired.

Here’s that stair slide
I told you
about last week

We had a great apres-ski at the restaurant and since it’s the 3rd weekenders last day, everyone was dancing outside. It was a lot of fun and sad at the same time since I won’t see these people next week. I think next week will actually be a small group since the largest group (3rd weekenders) are done. A lot of my group won’t be coming because of something or another, so I don’t know how big the group is going to be.

We all went home very satisfied and Joe dropped me off at home so I didn’t have to take the train. I was so excited to tell Michael about my day and he was so happy for me and now wondering if he can keep up! His ski day wasn’t as good as mine, so I think he was a little jealous…