Blue Runs!

I did it! I conquered BLUE runs at Breckenridge for the first time but it wasn't as smooth as I'd have hoped!!

I nearly lost it when I realized I went up the wrong chairlift taking me to a peak with mostly black runs and a just few blues. And, to make matters more difficult...for my first time down blues (the runs for intermediate snowboarders/skiers: for those of you who don't know), it was blizzarding by the time I got off the lift at the top of the mountain. I sat down in the foot deep snow to set the bindings and my goggles, which had seemed useless until today, were completely coated with snow. What should I do? I figured windshield wiping them with my gloves would do the trick: it didn't. The snow was off the goggles but now they were blurry from being wet and quickly covering with a coat of snow again. I felt closterphobic and disoriented. Should I call Nick and ask him what to do? No...I looked around quick at the people flying past me on their boards or skis and none of them seemed to be bothered by the blizzardous conditions. It must be in my head. Yes, it's in my head.

I set the bindings for my left foot, stood up and started down the mountain, forgetting to check the signs to be sure the route I took was blue and not BLACK. Behold, I accidentally took a Blue/Black run (for advanced intermediates) Between prayers I repeated "Lean back, lean back, lean back" in my head since the last words from Nick as I left for the chairlift were "Don't forget, lean back in pow-pow (powder snow)!" This was not only my first time on steeper Blue runs but also my first time on non-groomed, deep powder terrain. Quite a combination. If I caught the nose of the board in the deep snow, I'd do a quick hard faceplant into the snow. So, I leaned back!!

For the first time, I found my legs to be less for stearing and controling the speed and more for shock absorbers from the constant change from powder to packed snow. I was like a rag doll yet somehow, I managed to stay up on my feet the entire way down! I gained confidence after I made it down and went up the correct chairlift to the mostly blue runs. I went down and back up 3 more times until my legs were like rubber bands. I never fell one time! Not once! And each time, I got better and better at controlling the speed and directing myself to where I wanted to go. It was SO much fun.

There is something about being in the mountains, riding the chairlift, learning to snowboard without any teacher or anyone riding with me. It's quite peaceful. Gives me a sense of pride that I am doing it just for me. And getting better and better each day. It's quiet...only the sound of the board cutting the snow and me controlling it all. It's even spiritual.

I can't wait to have Jake and Tye by my side as we tackle the mountain together. And they ARE getting close. Jake can go down the mountain without the harness and Tye is getting very close. Soon, I will brave taking Jake up the chairlift. Perhaps he will be the first person I know to ever see me ride. So far, its been only me. And that has proven to be quite nice...