“When I was riding at the elite level, I rarely stopped to appreciate the breeze in my face or the beauty of the snow on the pine trees. I was focused on loosening up, and being fluid, and warming up my machine, and a route to take, what chutes to climb, and, and, and …
Today was different. I took off down the trail and got a good feel for balance with a weak core and one arm. I rode pretty smoothly down the trail with no difficulties. The group stopped shortly into the ride to check on my comfort level. I removed my goggles before continuing for one reason; to feel the fresh air touch the skin on my face. At that moment my body was in significant pain but my soul could have melted the snow. I did it! Much of my grueling fight to recover had been with this day on the radar.”
