Monday 25 January 2010

I met a wise woman

After a particularly craptastic day at work on Friday I decided to go for a ski just to relieve some pent up anger. I headed up to the park and headed out, but for some reason, not sure why, whether it was because I wasn't focused and still had my head at work, but I didn't have a very good ski.  I've learned over the years, whether it was schooling one of my horses or even while running, I give something the ten minute test and if I'm not seeing the results I want, I pack it up and try another day.

Saturday arrived and it was a nice day, once I got Lily a little more comfortable and got groceries purchased and  unpacked, I went back to the park.  There were quiet a few skiers out on the trails and I caught up with a very nice couple, we skied together for a little while.  The Wise Woman said to me "go ahead, I'm very slow and a little nervous", well, I'd hit Mecca!  Another skier just like me!!!

We skied along until we got to the first series of hills.  I told her, "don't worry about me, just go ahead".  She asked me if I was scared and I told her yes.  Well, out of the mouth of the Wise Woman came words I will never forget.   Don't follow the classic track, snowplough down the hill and if you fall it won't be as devastating.   I watched the wise woman do exactly that and lo and behold I tried it and it worked!  No fall, no stress, just a feeling of accomplishment.  I lost them along the trails and I never had the chance to thank her, but until I get some more confidence that is exactly what I'll be doing.....I've got your number Mr. Hill.

Sunday I was up at the butt-crack of dawn to volunteer at the Hypothermic Half Marathon.  We had to be there for 6:30am.  It is still dark out at that time people!  I received an email saying that they were desperate for volunteers so I coerced Nat into volunteering as well, so it was going to be a fun day.  After a 45 minute drive and two phone calls to Nat,  we finally met up.  Please go to her blog to read all about the race.  Thanks for the shout out Nat, I had a great time!!!  I can't contribute any more of what Nat wrote other than;

a) using a Port-a-Pottie in the middle of January takes "stones"

b) don't leave your camera and Nat in the car unsupervised !!!




Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

22 comments:

Unknown said...

you've been doing a lot of skiing. fun way to stay in shape!

i like the new blog header too. not sure when you put that up...just noticed today. :-)

Shelley said...

Nice..hee hee

Gotta Run..... said...

Love the new look to your blog!! You are really something. Love everything about this post. :))

teacherwoman said...

love love love skiing!

Unknown said...

Those are great words to go by... She was wise. :0) (I must remember that next time I come to a hill)

Great job!

MarieA said...

very nice weekend outdoorsie girl!
me? dinner and movie is as active as I got.
Good for you!
Skate on the canal maybe and dinner downtown?

Marlene said...

I like your 10-minute rule. Sounds like a good idea.

How awesome of you (and Nat) to step up and volunteer at the HH. Hope you girls had fun!

Anne said...

Yay wise woman! I'm so using that trick next time I ski on a trail. Hope you had fun volunteering...nice smile Nat :)

Wes said...

LOL... too funny. You'll be doing the Grand Slalom before ya know it ;-)

Linda said...

LOL all I KNOW is snowplow ;)

Anne said...

Thanks for the thumbs up on the RR program...having never done this before, I felt a sense of relief when I read your comment :)

Runner Leana said...

Sounds like great advice on the XC hill! I'll have to remember that!!

Anne said...

I laughed at your final points - which are well taken!

Judi said...

the skiing is fun!! you look great!

Julie said...

Hi there Lily! I just read the comment you left on Anne's blog and see that you are a pacer coach. Well, that is pretty darn cool so I thought that I would check your blog out. Love your pictures and can't wait to read more!

Nat said...

hahahahaha... I saw this and thought, it's too bad she doesn't have any photos of the race. hahaha... I'd forgotten about that.

Thanks for the fun time. NOT DOING IT NEXT YEAR. Let's be clear... (But I will volunteer again.)

EndorphinBuzz said...

I'm glad you conquered the hill, way to go!!

Holly said...

good advice from your unknown friend!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, my mare is a solid bred paint. Her father was a superior western pleasure AQHA (Snazzy Story x Story Man) and her mother was an overo by The Sock Broker, 2x Reserve World Halter horse.

Chic Runner said...

ha ha ha that picture! i love how you said, i went out for a ski! ha ha i wish i could do that. :)

ShirleyPerly said...

Those 2 last items cracked me up!!!

Glad you have figured out how to ski down a hill. I never figured out how to get off the lift w/o nearly killing myself.

Bert said...

I take my not frozen hat off to you. Just to see 'butt-crack of dawn' and 'Hypothermic Half' in one sentence is enough to scare me off northern winter running forever. Kudos to the both of you.

Vava said...

That's great! I snowplow down most hills too!!!