Overconfidence + Inexperience = Pain

I knew I was hitting the final dip too fast.

As I shot down the last part of the slope I was doing 45mph (my watch records my speed).  I bottomed out and felt myself leaning back as I absorbed the momentum change.  Not good.  Then I felt my left ski wobble.  As the edge caught, I knew I was going down, but I didn’t think it would be too bad.  I’ve had a few spills and most have worked out okay.

I started to flip and figured I’d roll some and go over on my shoulder, but something went wrong.  I felt a dull thump as my head hit the ground.  Then I started cartwheeling, rolling, skidding down the hill.  To tell you the truth, Brandt, I don’t remember most of it.  I finally came to a stop, feeling pretty dizzy.  I sat up, and realized my left thumb was not operational.  I sat there for a minute, looked at my ski pole neatly bent into a right angle, and tried to get my hand to work.

A friendly skier delivered one of my skis, and informed that the other one was some way off.  He said “If you’re not crashing, you’re not trying”.  I thanked him and figured I would sit a while longer.  Another kindly person arrived with my other ski, and asked if I was alright.  I said yes, I think so.  Then I got up and skied back to base.

Fast forward a day and my head still hurts.  Definitely the worst concussion I’ve had.  My neck and shoulders are seized up - whiplash, I guess.  Thumb is double the size it should be, x-rays are this afternoon.  Left leg is tweaked too.

Life’s gonna hurt.  And the pain is often self inflicted.  Overconfidence and inexperience is a painful combination.   We have to get back up.

I plan to be out there as soon as my thumb works again.  I’m going to be more humble and look to gain experience.  Then build up speed gradually.

I can’t wait!

Black Diamond run at Crested Butte