Mopping...

[jeneemohler]

What a nice offer! Between you, Amy (foofer), and Ed I can hit Utah, Colorado AND Tahoe! I'm ready to retire and become a ski bum!

I used to live in Ogden for a few years as a child. It is beautiful there. Maybe someday...

Work is great, but I really do have to keep up with taking care of myself. After this first week, I was more tired than usual. But actually...not any more so than I was before surgery, when I came home exhausted and in pain after a day at work! A bad day today is so much better than even a normal day pre-op!

[mabeckoff]

What a nice offer! Between you, Amy (foofer), and Ed I can hit Utah, Colorado AND Tahoe! I'm ready to retire and become a ski bum!

I used to live in Ogden for a few years as a child. It is beautiful there. Maybe someday...

Work is great, but I really do have to keep up with taking care of myself. After this first week, I was more tired than usual. But actually...not any more so than I was before surgery, when I came home exhausted and in pain after a day at work! A bad day today is so much better than even a normal day pre-op!

I am so glad that everything worked out for you so well.

[titaniumed]

Jenee
The biggest problems with skiing are getting the boots on. Be careful because you can do damage by pulling down reaching your boots. You have to do this slowly, it’s best to get help. I also cannot see down to get my lift ticket on and need assistance with that. You will see what I mean when you buy your ticket, most areas want them on your pants.

Crashing is very scary....and of course skiing at any velocity and crashing is not a great idea.....dumb and dumber...I have caught myself flying down at about 50mph and realized that it was way too dangerous. My old bombing days are over, you can see why I waited so long to have my surgeries. I have crashed a few times, and in powder snow its not too bad with the speed in check. When you ski, be very aware of anyone that is in your vicinity. Start out slow on the blue groomers. The lifts are not an issue.

Thanks Nan for the invite. Utah is a special place for skiers....I hope you are healing nicely. I forget your surgical date but you need at least a year and approval from your surgeon to go skiing.

It takes about a season to rebuild all the skiing soft tissues. I had problems skiing faster since I couldn’t handle the downward g forces. After you hit your 1 year mark and are doing well, resuming sports needs to be taken at a slow pace with rest periods.

On your 1st day, limit to 2 hours. 2nd day, 3 hours, and so on. I normally don’t ski more than 4 hours anymore.

I have to give you a 2nd congratulations, you looked pretty good back in Sept.
Ed

[jeneemohler]

Thanks for all the tips, Ed.

I know I will never ski like I did before surgery. I was one of those crazy ones who never took a break or lunch, and timed my last run to hit the lift at the last possible moment. My favorite ski Tshirt says "Lunch? Lunch is for wimps!" Sums it up perfectly. Of course, that was a couple years ago in my younger ski bunny days! I noticed a definite slow down in my speed last year. Or I guess that would be the year before last.... This last year kind of got lost! My balance and slower reaction times were starting to slow me down and kept me from being as much of a daredevil. Stuck to more or less groomed black runs. I know...kind of an oxymoron, huh? But I like the steeps and the grooming kept me from getting into trouble.

Anyway, I will just be so stinkin' happy to be out in the sunshine, enjoying the crisp cool air filling my lungs, and the beautiful scenery.
I really want to take a trip down to Tahoe one of these times. I've been threatening for a couple years now. Maybe we could stop by and say hi on our way through when we do!

[titaniumed]

Jess
50 mph yes. Very easy to do.

I have had a few(low speed) crashes on skis and I guess this proves my fusions are solid. My surgeon told me that I was in excellent shape from skiing and exercising my whole life. I’m actually more worried about other body parts now, like my hips and knees. I must say that “over exercising” is not what you want to do, I’m paying for it now. My dad ended up with ALS. He told me he exercised himself to death. He skied every day....

Check out Banana George and his barefoot waterskiing. He is a scoli and was fused in 1954.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk669...eature=related

Ski off a high cliff and you will reach terminal velocity in a few seconds.....its something to think about, if a thrill seeker. Terminal velocity is a “little” faster than 50mph. (smiley face)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiL49xRz9LQ
Julian Carr does have a titanium femur and he continues his career. He gets paid very well....

I stopped jumping about 15 years ago. My highest was around 70 feet. Its amazing what the scoliotic spine can handle and my lumbar curve was stiff like steel.
Ed

[titaniumed]

Jenee

Sounds familiar, I never stopped for lunch either, and the first time I quit at 2pm was at Targhee, storm skiing because it was too cold and my toes were turning blue. I was about 30 years old and couldn’t believe it. It was one of my first times in a ski lodge.

We just got 5 feet at Alpine Meadows.....it’s a start I guess, but we have 53 degree highs and sun all next week.....the temps are too high...its depressing.

Remember, try not to crash ok? Just ski easy for a year. Stop by anytime.
Ed

[jrnyc]

people are soooo different...obvious statement, i know...
but it never ceases to fascinate me just HOW different...
the kinds of activities you describe, Ed, sound like my worst nitemares....
i find it hard to imagine anything scarier, something i would hate more than
those activities....
sitting in front of the fire with a hot chocolate...now THAT sounds good!
and i wouldn't have to fly down a mountain first to drink it!

please DO be careful....
going 50mph sounds a bit like pushing one's luck, no?

jess

[golfnut]

"Stinkin' happy . . . quote from Jenee'

Anyway, I will just be so stinkin' happy to be out in the sunshine, enjoying the crisp cool air filling my lungs, and the beautiful scenery.
[/QUOTE]

Jenee',
You and Ed are truly the daredevils of this forum & talented skiers!
Even if my golf game isn't where I want it to be this summer, I'm going to remember your above quote! I may have to substitute "crisp cool air" with "hot, humid air" (Midwest summers), but other than that, it works for me!

[titaniumed]

Jess
I started jumping high at around age 7. Like 10 feet high for 30 foot distance.....My dad coached me way back then in the 60’s. I weighed about 60 lbs. LOL I skied with Suzy Chaffee (Suzy Chapstick) back then, remember her? (smiley face)

By the time I was 18, it truly became insane. Higher, longer, and learning more tricks became the norm. When I used to compete years ago, the stress standing above a large kicker was pretty intense. Julian Carr mentions that he controls his stress, he controls by mind diversion....which is tough to do. I think it helped me with the approach to my surgeries. Hard crashes in big mountain skiing do kill skiers, its happens all the time.

I guess it’s a good thing I had my surgeries in this respect since I have always taken the sport just a notch below redline. I didn’t usually crash much, but when I did, I broke stuff, like my shoulder just before my scoli surgeries.

My wings are clipped now. It was pretty depressing for me, but I’m over it now.

Stinking happy like Jenee has said is no lie. Just standing off in the woods and checking out the scenery on top of a mountain is excellent therapy.....I’ve been doing this my whole life.
Ed