01/17/2026
Last night couldn’t have offered a more perfect setting for me to finally open my mind to thin skis with no edges, a terrifyingly unfixed heel, and a trail that never actually reaches a chairlift.
I dedicate a lot of time to encouraging people to push past their comfort zones, but I’ve realized lately that I don’t often do the same for myself. Enter the same tenacious friend that encouraged me to run. Having only ever tried classic skiing a handful of times (and never feeling partial to it), I’ve kept the door closed on the whole XC scene for most of my life, feeling quite comfortable that ‘down and up’ was far superior to ‘across.’
Comfort. It’s crazy how one word – one state of being – can be so liberating and yet so restrictive.
I was warned that skate skiing would feel awkward, make me feel uncoordinated, and that I would likely fall a lot. For anyone who knows me well, you also know that awkward, uncoordinated falling may as well be a death sentence.
After getting all clipped in, I was ready to go – and off I went. Just kidding – turns out there isn’t even an ounce of leeway to lean back as I’m used to doing in my stiff, calf-high boots. With my first fall out of the way, now I was ready. Just kidding – Guinness should have been there to record the time between the two falls. Third time’s a charm though – once I realized that my weight needed to stay forward, I was off to the races.
For the next hour, twenty-one minutes, and thirteen seconds, you couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face if you tried. The night air, the snow, the peaceful setting …the incredibly friendly people, and the encouraging friend/coach …I wish everyone could have this as their first experience.
This sign has been up for over 20 years, and I’ve never seen it in person. When I look at my smile from last night, my heart rate actually increases with residual excitement.
It’s never too late to try new things. New things are scary, but we are brave. And, when we aren’t brave, we need to trust in the people that will get down on their hands and knees, clip our toes in, and tell us that we’ve got this.
Oh …and I never fell again 😉