“So, you really aren’t going to ski?” John asked.
We were packing for our weekend trip to his grandparents’ vacation home Vermont.
“Nope. My body is a temple,” I replied. “I’ve got to respect the temple.”
Ever since I started training for Ironman, I have come to see my body in a very different way, as something to build, to strengthen, to protect, and to respect.
Sounds like some kind of temple to me.
At almost 40 years old, I am the fittest I have ever been in my life. I have worked very hard to build my temple, and to prepare it for a bid at a Kona slot at Ironman Lake Placid this summer.
I’ll be danged if I would let some weekend fling on skis ruin my hard work. All I could think about was breaking a leg, a shoulder, or worse. Nope. It wasn’t worth it. I would not cheat on Ironman.
So, it was decided: no skiing on my ski vacation.
Truthfully, this wasn’t a terribly difficult decision, as I haven’t skied in four years, thanks to Ironman training. I wasn’t about to break my streak. As someone who came to skiing late in life (I started when I was 26), it has always seemed a little dangerous, a little too fast, but yes, it was fun.
However, not so much fun that I was willing to tear down my temple.
So, what does one do on a non-skiing ski vacation?
Ironically, Winter Storm Nemo came barreling into the region while we were there, delivering almost 2 feet of fresh powder. It was safe to say that John and the rest of our crew would be skiing.
So, I did what I always do: swim, bike and run.
Perhaps the highlight of the weekend of was Friday’s swim in an outdoor pool , which sat at the base of the mountain. While everyone enjoyed the coming snow, I dipped my tootsies into 90-degrees of swimming goodness. While the water itself was a little warm, it was an incredible feeling to be swimming outside, feeling the snow as it hit my back.
So. Freaking. Cool.
On Saturday, it was trainer time. I set up the trainer in the living room of the 1783 Vermont farm house, that sits high in the mountains. Behind me was a fireplace, to the right of me, the view of Nemo’s handiwork.
I had a 3.5 hour “hilly” ride scheduled for the day, which I simulated using a series of big gear sets. During the first half of the ride, I watched Bicycle Dreams, which I highly recommend. A chronicle of the 2003 Race Across America (RAAM), this movie is inspirational and riveting. It rates pretty high on the “holy sh!t” meter.
The best part: no matter how bad I thought I might be suffering on the trainer, these people suffered way worse than I could even imagine.
After my long ride, I snuggled up on the couch and enjoyed the coziness of the fire. It was one of the best Saturday afternoon naps I’ve had.
On Sunday morning, I went for a run on the snow-covered roads, which made for an extra challenge on the hilly terrain. It was quiet and cold, but there was no wind, so the temperature was quite pleasurable–even if the pace was slow-going. It’s safe to say I’m a little bit out of mountain-running shape.
So, you may be wondering: do I regret skipping the ski part of the ski vacation?
Not a bit.
I got in some quality training, and I enjoyed what I’ve always liked best about skiing: fireplaces, food, and fun with friends and family.
Choosing not to ski was a very small sacrifice to make in return for the protection and strengthening of my temple.
