What I learned from blowing out my knee.

It all started back in December of 2012. I was on a little bit of a vacation with 2 of my best friends. We traveled from the Summit County area to have a fun day at Beaver Creek. About 3 hours into riding I asked my buddy Jeff if I could use his skis which were beat to shit and boots were a size and a half too small; but I made it happen. This was my first time ever on two planks. We had traveled to the beginner hill to learn the basic pizza, french fry and carving techniques. From that moment I was INSTANTLY hooked and in love with this new sport. We then headed up to the top of the mountain and we found ourselves in the park at Beaver. My buddy had chellenged me to try and hit the jumps and a bx and with my best friends at my side I thought nothing could go wrong. I was absolutely right. My friends had given me the confidence to also learn hwo to ride switch. After 3 runs my feet couldn't handle the pain so I went back to my board for the day.

Within 2 weeks after out Beaver creek adventure I had invested in my own pair of used boots and 159 k2 missdemeanors. With that I learned everything else that I needed to have fun no matter what. For the first time in my life even when something went wrong like simply catching an edge or slipping out on a rail I never found myself upset. I've never had a bad time on my skis ever and still haven't.

On March 23rd, 2013 my friend who let me use his skis had won a free trip to bring a friend to monarch mountain and had invited me. (who would say no to a free day with your skiing inspiration?) I was at the park there and had tried my 3rd disaster 270 to 270 out. I only spun a 210 off, I had known as soon as I hit the ground that something was wrong. I made it down to the bottom of the mountain in the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I was helpless in tears and laying on the ground without my boot on. I had gone to get an mri after the swelling was gone and found out I had torn my ACL, MCLand both left and right meniscus in my left knee. I had surgery in november of 2013.

Since then I have been biking and getting myself into the best condition of my life, I had 1 day back on the mountain after missing my whole 2013-2014 season. When I was on the chair lift I had honestly started to cry. I had forgotton how much I loved the mounatins, and being on 2 planks. It is literally the best thing I will ever experience in my life. Sure Idon't see myself ever charging park like a pro, but I do know what I love.

And that's skiing.

(Sorry for the long post, I just had to tell somebody)