My cousin Tiffany and I taking a break, and taking in the view.

I have been skiing for about 18 years, and have been wearing the same rear-entry ski boots for almost that long. So, on this perfect sunny warm February day, I apply my SPF 45, put on all the necessary layers to keep me toasty and happy, and slide into my brand-new fancy schmancy front-entry ski-boots. They are so pretty, white, silver, and sparkly. I proudly stride down the stairs of my condo to catch the bus and head to the mountain that awaits me. Now in the lift line I’m sweating and can’t wait to be zooming down the hill with the breeze in my face. I buckle, buckle, buckle, buckle, and strap and I’m off. I make it about 250 feet and realize that adjustments must be made immediately. My old faithful boots had 1 buckle, you crank it and go. But now that I have ventured into the realm of the modern-day technologically advanced boots, this procedure is quite a bit more time consuming and well, technical. By the end of my second run, I’m in full Gastrocnemius spasm.  As I’m lying in the snow in the middle of the slope, writhing in pain, I’m pretty sure I’m in need of more adjusting and a few ibuprofen. By the time I make it to the warming hut my Soleus and Peroneus L&B have also joined in the party, and my lower leg feels like it’s made of stone.  I rip off the torture devises and scream. (I’m alone)

Sports Massage Instructor, Nate C-G hard at work.

I begin every sports massage technique I can think of, Nate Cuddihy-Garner, CMT, my sports massage instructor’s voice comes echoing into my head with all the things I need to do. I start working and trying to stay focused as I stare at my poor throbbing legs. After hitting several trigger points in my rock-hard muscles, using direct pressure and doing some M.E.T.s to get things to stretch out, I’m feeling surprisingly better. I mess with my buckles, and change everything I can, and hit the slope. Three minutes later, I’m sliding down the hill on my back because my quads froze. Apparently they were feeling left out so they decided to rebel too, how dare the lower leg gets so much attention.  Need less to say my day ended early.

That night I work and work to help my legs, I’m thankful Nate taught me so many practical things to do for injuries like these. I do M.E.T.s and work ferverantly on my legs. I drink 18,000 gallons of water (small exaggeration) and eat my ibuprofen.

The following day was better, except that I tried a different thickness of socks, thinking it would help. They were like sandpaper, anytime I had to shuffle across a flat spot the first several layers of skin would shed from my legs, lovely! By 1:00 P.M.  I was skiing barefoot with boots half unbuckled and in “walk” position.

The moral of my story, refuse all forms of technology, even if the lining is torn and discolored from the sun and scratched up. Ok, it’s not all the new boots fault. But do be more prepared then I was.

Here is how:
· Get a sports massage the day before, get your muscles prepped. Drink lots of water.
· Water and sunscreen are necessities, in the Colorado altitude. (a day in urgent care from 3rd degree sunburn will teach this lesson, but that’s another story)
· Make sure your system has enough potassium, and magnesium to prevent muscle spasms.
· And for goodness sake, if you buy new boots wear them around the house and break em in. Hind sight is 20/20.
· Get post-sports massage, drink lots of water. (I would have paid big money for a massage up there)

Colorado is an amazing place to visit or live. The weather is unpredictable, but always has an amazing sunny warm day in the middle of a crazy snowstorm. Snow in July, 70 degrees in January. Boulder has a plethora of outdoor activities. It’s one of the few places you will see bicyclists out all year round, rain, shine or snow. Sports Massage is in demand here, because we just can’t help ourselves. This weather beacons us to go out there and conquer a mountain. I’m not an athlete by any far stretch of the imagination, but as I look out my window here at BCMT and see the flatironsColorado is an amazing place to visit or live. The weather is unpredictable, but always has an amazing sunny warm day in the middle of a crazy snowstorm. Snow in July, 70 degrees in January. Boulder has a plethora of outdoor activities. It’s one of the few places you will see bicyclists out all year round, rain, shine or snow. Sports Massage is in demand here, because we just can’t help ourselves. This weather beacons us to go out there and conquer a mountain. I’m not an athlete by any far stretch of the imagination, but as I look out my window here at BCMT and see the flatirons glowing in the sun, I just have to go outside and try to do things that will require me to need another massage.