Lanning's rehab goal: "best shape I've ever been in"

U.S. Ski Team alpiner T.J. Lanning is in good spirits this spring, even though he recently endured a surprise microfracture surgery on his knee.
    After a year of knee pain, Lanning went in for a scope to repair what he thought was some wear-and-tear meniscus damage but learned that “it was a big bone bruise that had been bruised for quite a while and then I had another impact on it that made it peel away like an orange peel on my femur,” Lanning said.
     … In a couple weeks, he should be back to action on the training front. “I can do pretty much anything except put a lot of force on that one spot,” he said. “It sucks because I probably can’t ski until September but I can train pretty rigorously in two to three weeks.”
U.S. SKI TEAM alpiner T.J. Lanning is in good spirits this spring, even though he recently endured a surprise microfracture surgery on his knee.
    After a year of knee pain, Lanning went in for a scope to repair what he thought was some wear-and-tear meniscus damage but learned that “it was a big bone bruise that had been bruised for quite a while and then I had another impact on it that made it peel away like an orange peel on my femur,” Lanning said.
    Lanning, who accepted his nomination to the alpine B team again, had a solid 2008 season free of major injury and even finished with a national title in downhill. Injury, however, is the norm for the Montana native.
    “My body’s always going to be beat up,” the 23-year-old said. “I’m content with that now. … I’m moving back [to Utah] and I’m going to live [near] the training center and probably be in the best shape I’ve ever been in. Skiing’s the easy part. Just being in shape and having that confidence in your body can make a difference. I have a lot more confidence in Nordica now, compared with last year so if anything it’s going to help me — taking this time off.” (Lanning recently extended an equipment sponsorship deal with Nordica.)
    Living and training in Park City for the summer isn’t enough for Lanning, though. He is moving next door to the USSA Training Center — literally.
    “At the end of the month, I’m bringing my trailer down that has been on my ranch for a long time,” he said. “I’m comfortable hanging out in it, so I’m going to pull it down and park it in the parking lot. I’m going to save some fuel money and be really close to the gym and not have any excuses to not be in the best shape of anyone on the team.”
    Lanning, known for always being up for a good time, said it’s all business while being parked in the lot; there won’t be any bonfires or huge barbecues. “I don’t think that would fly. The training center is two buildings away from the Summit County Sheriff [building],” he said, laughing.
    In a couple weeks, he should be back to action on the training front. “I can do pretty much anything except put a lot of force on that one spot,” he said. “It sucks because I probably can’t ski until September but I can train pretty rigorously in two to three weeks.”
   
    — Lanning was a primary subject of Ski Racing's series of web videos last season titled Down Time: The Summer Sessions. Click here for a link to Ski Racing's web video page