Jit's Journal: Holding it together

By Published On: December 7th, 2005Comments Off on Jit's Journal: Holding it together

Jit’s Journal: Holding it togetherHow is it that I find myself in this position so often? Exhausted, frustrated, pissed off and struggling to look myself in the mirror after a disappointing first few NorAm races. Taking risks in places that are unnecessary, causing mistakes and not taking them in the places that they are needed.

My inexperience and impatience to break through to the next level seems to continue to bite me in the ass and the fury inside continues to build into an almost hatred feeling.

Angry as I may be, I think of what my good friend Steve Nyman once told me after a series of bad races last year: ‘The best ski racers in the world aren’t the ones who have the most talent. They are the ones who can pick themselves up off the ground the fastest, not letting the bad days put them on a one-way ticket home mentally.’ Suddenly I find a moment of clarity. Failure turns to a lesson learned and experienced gained.

I look up to my friend Daron Rahlves, not just because he is a champion, but because he is a master of refocusing and returning to the hill every day, ready to give it his absolute best even after a disappointing race. He smiles at the good and the bad. It makes me think about what it is that I have to achieve mentally not only as an athlete, but as a young man. Mental maturity comes with age and experience, and though at times I lose my grip, four-letter words and all, I take comfort in knowing that maybe Daron went through the same thing I’m dealing with when he was younger.

Now in Europe I find my head clear. I am ready to fight again, as are my Europa Cup teammates. On the flight here, I watched a commercial for the Olympics and it displayed athletes from various sports throwing down in all their glory. Instantly I snapped out of my mood, remembering why the hell it is I do this; because for that period of time that I spend in the course, I am free to ski how I want, the same way I live my life. It is that freedom and wind in my face that really make me happy. The prospect of displaying this passion to the world in the future is what it is all about.

I may get knocked on my ass a hundred times, but at the end of the day I will stand back up, smile and focus on tomorrow. Failure is merely a fundamental step in being successful. Till next time, ski fast, train hard and have fun.
– Jit

jitskiracing@yahoo.com

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About the Author: Pete Rugh