I have emerged from a long winter of isolation. Two years of recovering from surgeries broke me in places, but where my body and psyche were shattered, I am stronger. Focused. Driven. I am stoked for the challenges that lie ahead. I am ready to take back my Wild Life.
For me, skiing symbolizes health, strength, and freedom after setbacks. I looked forward to hitting the slopes again.
I had hiked and biked to get back in shape after a Makoplasty partial knee replacement on January 5th, but my physical therapist instructed me to build strength in my muscles to stabilize the knee instead. I took a few weeks of Pilates and strengthening classes.
Were my muscles strong enough or would I have to ride back down on the chairlift?
I made it to the top! Now for the true test.
I would be skiing the heaviest and slushiest snow of the year. It would have been painful to ski with my old knee. How would my body handle it?
I took it slow at first and let other skiers and snowboarders pass me.
The new plastic disk under my kneecap rode in the groove of my new metal cartilage replacement in a most excellent way. My quadriceps squeaked a little since they still need to be stretched and strengthened.
During my second run, I let go of my nervousness and really carved my edges to see what my new knee could do.
All warmed up, I experienced no pain at all. Miraculous!
There is still time to ski this season. A-Basin closes on June 7th. If the snow continues to fall, maybe they will extend the season and the gapers will make an appearance on the first day of summer again.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to challenge my body with fitness classes. Last night, I took a dance class and you know what that means. The Wild Rider is back!
Are you looking forward to summer? Have you ever challenged yourself after an injury?
So,so,so happy for you, Susie! You are unbelievable. Like a Weeble who wobbles but can’t fall down. And if you do fall, you just get back up and keep on being Susie! You must have felt so free out there skiing away. Did you say dancing??? 🙂
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I fell on April Fools’ Day and it set me back a few weeks. Don’t tell. I want to keep my Weeble reputation. Ha!
The dance class was a blast, but it was a little soon to be running around barefoot. I plan to go back with my daughter after I’ve been officially released to run in July. I’m in the gym and still rehabbing. It is taking forever to wake up my tiny quad from its long snooze.
Thanks Maria!
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Ay! Keep on rehabbing!
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I will! Thanks! How’s your health?
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Way to go, Susie! I knew you’d be back to your Wild Riding ways before long. *cue the dance music*
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Thanks Jessica!
I hope there is a lot of dancing in my future. I miss it! Dance class was fun, but I pushed it a little early. I’ve been instructed not to run until July. That doesn’t mean I can’t swivel my hips and shake my booty! Ha!
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Yea!
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Thanks Ted!!! It was a blast!
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Huzzarh!!!! … She skis. 😀 Bravo.
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Thanks so much! I hope I can hit the slopes at least one more time before they close. With the weather we’ve been having, it’s very likely!!
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Woo Hoo Susie!!
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Thanks Lisa! It felt good to take my wild life back.
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Woo hoo! Many congratulations. All that icing and PT and now the real icing. Congratulations.
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Hahaha! Good one. Yep. It was icing! And no ice! It was slushy in places, but conditions were pretty good!
Thanks Julie!
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So glad you’re back. You go, go, go girl!
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Thanks Peg!!! It felt good to be back on the boards. Happy belated Mother’s Day!
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Wow! Glad to read you’re up & about 🙂 the first run on the slopes must have felt incredible 🙂
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Thanks so much! It felt great to be out there again. I had been grounded for four months. 🙂
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Wow, that’s a pretty uplifting photo essay 🙂
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It was a very fun day and monumental in getting back to my Wild Life. Thanks for stopping by!
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Thanks for following, Susie!!
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