Vancouver 2010: Time to reflect

I did it!  I raced in my fifth Olympic games. The day did not go the way I imagined but that’s okay.  It’s been a long and fulfilling journey to get to that start gate on February 21st. I was in the best shape of my life going into the season and I felt completely prepared to win gold in Vancouver. I never thought I would be on the operating table fixing a grade 5 AC joint separation just 5 weeks before the big day. And I certainly didn’t think I would then fracture my shoulder 2 weeks later leaving only 3 weeks to recover. But that’s what happened and that’s what I had to deal with. Nothing was going to stop me from competing in that race.

It was so interesting to be a part of a debut event in the Olympics.  Of all the people racing that day I think Daron Rahlves and I were the only returning Olympians. It was everyone’s first time and there was a lot of nervous energy at the start. Tomas Krauss, as well as many others would look at me in disbelief and say “really, you’ve done this four times?” And my favorite quote was Josh Wiltz, Chris Del Bosco’s ski tech, who was pacing around at the start anxiously, said, “three years, three years of work, and it all comes down to this one day.” That summed it up. Everyone up there had been working hard for three years to prepare for this one day, this one moment.

There were 35 racers to start the day. Probably 15 of those had a solid chance to walk away with a medal, and there are only 3 medals given out. It either goes your way or it doesn’t. That’s why it’s so important to enjoy the journey. I don’t think of the last three years as a waste of time just because I didn’t medal. I did everything I could to make that podium and I have no regrets. I love the work. I love the competitions. I love the travel. I love the challenge. I walked away from Vancouver with my head held high.

I decided not to finish out the World Cup season because my shoulder still isn’t fully healed. I’m back in Aspen and I look forward to spending time with my daughters. I may even be able to get out and enjoy the skiing. I hear it’s pretty good skiing in Aspen in the spring.