Jit’s Journal: Where I’ve been and where I’m going

Since Nov. 26, I’ve been home for about five days, all of those coming at Christmas. When I touched down in Washington, D.C., the other day, it was the first time I had been on U.S. soil in more than two months. In a way, I was relieved to be back in North America, but I was also sad that my journey out on the European road was coming to an end.
SINCE NOV. 26, I’ve been home for about five days, all of those coming at Christmas. When I touched down in Washington, D.C., the other day, it was the first time I had been on U.S. soil in more than two months. In a way, I was relieved to be back in North America, but I was also sad that my journey out on the European road was coming to an end.
    The reality is that ski racing in Europe this year has been a never-ending “rock fight,” especially for guys like myself who are looking to break through onto the World Cup. By “rock fight” I mean that the weather has been awful, the snow conditions about as bad as you can get, and the fairness of most races is as silly as I can recall. I have rarely started earlier than 40 in a race, and my mood has turned slightly sour. The only two World Cup-caliber races that had relatively normal conditions this year were Beaver Creek and Are — one of which I wasn’t racing in and the other was a World Championships race. However, these are the cards that have been dealt. I have to learn as much from it as I can in preparation for the years to come; and though at times it has been frustrating for me trying to find success in difficult situations, I know I’m coming out the other side better off. After all, if this is a bad as it gets, doesn’t that make everything else easier?
    Now with a much-needed week off back home, I have a chance to regroup and reflect on the things I have been through and prepare myself for the final push through the end of the season. This is a time to listen to what my body is telling me and to take stock in how I am doing in general. For me personally, I am finding my legs a bit tired after the abuse of life on the long road. I am looking forward to replacing some of my lost carbohydrate stores and clearing my body of all its lactic acid before I depart for the next series of races.
    It isn’t till I step on the scale that I realize the transformation my body has gone through in Europe. I have lost a total of eight pounds! I was kind of surprised to be honest with you; however this is nothing a week of home-cooked meals and some exercise can’t cure. Sleep is another big priority. When I return from Europe, I totally shut down the body and sleep for two days. I’ve put my body through a lot with racing, traveling and dryland training, so it is important that I give it its due to recover. I also look at where I am with my yearly goals and see that there are still many things that need to be done to make sure that when I am finished with my season I can be satisfied with my position entering next year.
    Finally, I take some time to think about the lessons and ideas I’ve learned throughout this year by looking at where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. That way I can get a better picture of where I’m going and what I need to do to get there.
    While it’s nice to be home for a few days resting, I quickly find myself looking forward to getting back into the swing of things out on the road. What can I say, I have the bug. I like the lifestyle of a ski racer and sitting around for too long at home makes me feel like I’m missing out something. Whether I’m freezing in Are, sweating in Kranjska Gora, nervous in Schladming, winning in Sunday River, returning from injury in Colorado, struggling in Hinterstoder, or crashing in Kitzbühel, I love it.
    Who doesn’t like living out of a suitcase — gauging every day whether or not you can put on that fresh pair of socks or hold off a few days longer for fear of running out before you return home.
    Till next time.

— Jit

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