For the last seven and a half months my life as a ski racer has been put on hold. In the past year I have truly learned a lot about myself and the incredible sport of ski racing. I learned what it feels like to be on the top, and what it feels like to be watching on the side lines. I feel like I got a little taste of everything this year; winning my first FIS race, competing in the World Junior Championships in Chamonix France, facing the disappointment of injury and the emotional and mental set back of it all.    

    One bad fall on the last run of a normal training day in Collingwood on February 12th was all it took to put me out the rest of the season. For some reason, the thought of having a serious injury never crossed my mind. I never thought it would happen to me and when it did, I was devastated. Looking back on the amazing half of a season I did complete last year, I was lucky to accomplish the things I did and the amazing experiences that will forever remind me why I love this sport so much. 

     March 4th was the day I had my surgery. Reminiscing about that day I remember the feelings of being scared of the long recovery journey I had ahead. Although I was fearful of the next six months I remember looking forward to the fact that I was only going to get better from here. The first two weeks were definitely the most physically painful but watching my friends and team mates compete from the bottom of the hill at my home club’s FIS race was more mentally heartbreaking. I missed the cold wind in my face, the feeling of ripping a sweet turn and the adrenalin rush as you cross the finish line. I live for the intensity in the start gate and the moment the clock counts down from 321 to GO!

    Four days after my surgery I started physio in Waterloo. The first two weeks were mainly focused on flexibility and extension of my knee as well as stretches and practicing walking. Then came balancing exercises, simple wall slides and progression from only being able to bike half of a circle rotation to a full rotation. Attending physio and going to the pool for more rehabilitation sure got boring quick but I knew it would all accumulate in the long run and get me that much closer to getting back on snow! After completing my exams in June I visited my physio for the last time before summer where he gave me the thumbs up to start into jumping exercises and squatting. I also visited my surgeon Dr. Lichfield in London where he told me there were no limitations to weight lifting but to just stay away from running until I saw him next. Throughout July I attended summer school in Collingwood with the National Ski Academy and completed Gr. 12 English. I also worked out with the rest of my team mates with the help of Greg Grossman. My coaches and I were very pleased with the strength progression I had made in July but even looking back to last month I have made a ton of gains since then.

    At my six month recovery mark, which was just two weeks ago, I visited the Fowler Clinic for the last time until my yearly check up which will be in February of 2011. Finally, I got the words I was looking for; I am allowed to ski in the fall! Although I wish I was in New Zealand skiing and training in the beautiful mountains with the rest of the Ontario Team, I had the choice of going with them and turned it down to get even stronger for the upcoming season.  My surgeon reassured me that “I won’t forget how to ski” which helped me make the decision to play it safe and stay home and get stronger. I’d say right now I am at about 90 percent of where I was in strength last year which backs up the idea that I can return to snow when I am mentally ready. Although my journey with my injury seems to be over I have to remind myself that this season I have to be careful and cannot push myself to the limits like I did before. It takes about two years to fully recover from my injury so I will just be happy to be skiing again, period.

    As for this coming year, I have no expectations for myself. I am purely focusing on the process instead of worrying about the outcome. With this attitude I am hoping to gradually get back to my old “Turbo” self. My goal is to get back to the same mental state that I was in last year and just enjoy the feelings again. Even though my injury came at a disappointing time in my season I am relieved that I didn’t tear more than I did. Through this whole process I have become a stronger athlete because of it. I am more aware of my body and have learned a lot about myself. It has helped that I am not alone in this process. Four of our National Team women are going through the same thing as me, if not with worse injuries. I was fortunate enough to meet Anna Goodman the day of my surgery as she was right before me in the line to have our repairs. She has inspired me and kept me wanting to get better as we frequently chat on facebook and compare our rehabilitation stages. Even though at times it has been tough I remember a quote that says “Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.” (–John Wooden) I leave for Austria on October 12th to go out early with my coach to start free skiing. In six short weeks I will be back to where I want to be... on the slopes again! 
   
Julia Roth 
 

"Ski Racing from Start to Finish"

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