Raising Money & Golfing

I was happy to say I was able to walk a full 18 holes yesterday while helping raise money for Camp Goodtimes and Right to Play.

Here's a link to the tournament's web page: http://www.campgoodtimesgolf.ca/

We lucked out with the weather; getting the whole round in between when the rain was falling.

These Canaccord men and I enjoyed a great round of Golf. Especially when things got exciting and the betting began. Mat made a 45foot put to win $1000...only to say it would go to me right before he hit the put! Pretty crazy times fun times.

Golfing Again!

I was worried my left knee wouldn't be able to take the twisting involed in a golf swing....that is..until today!

This morning I went out and played 9 holes with David, Gary and Diane. We had a wonderful time and my knee had no trouble. I hit some great shots...which worries me...I may have used up all my good shots...and I have a charity tournament next week where I'll need them!

So it goes with golf....I'll let you know next week if I can find my swing again.

Beautiful Sunday Morning in BC

The view from my street.
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Another view from my street.
(After this walk with my Hubby he made Crepes....yes...I am the luckiest girl alive:)
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This was right in my backyard...so pretty.

In Vancouver for the Miele/Holmenkol Event

David and I by the sea in Vancouver.
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A beautiful rainbow surrounded the sun in Vancouver.

Recovery - Physical and Mental

There are moments I’m overcome with emotion. When something catches my attention and draws memories from my fateful crash on December 17^th. It can be a piece of clothing I was wearing that day; the number my skis were labelled with; or watching someone be overcome with passion from their own sporting pursuits.

Most who know me know that I am a passionate person and athlete. I can be overcome with emotion for my own success as well others’ success. Even watching a complete stranger achieve their own goals fills me with emotion as I continue to dream big myself.

Passion can be an amazing tool, but it can also turn on you. I became at peace with my crash and injury quite early but this hasn’t meant that the process of morning and adapting hasn’t continued. These moments where I’m overcome with emotion tell me there is still more I must face looking backward before I’ll be able to move forward. The web of emotions from this crash are far reaching and ever present as my knee reminds me in every step I take.

These floods of emotion are seemingly a part of my process. Going through them, and facing these emotions will help me return to snow stronger than ever before. However, I also know, if I leave any rock unturned physically and mentally it may eat me from the inside out. I’m dedicated to this process of facing these fears and memories head on – I know it will pay off when my feet touch snow again.

As for my knee itself – well it’s doing awesome! And, instead of explaining my knee's condition, I thought I’d show you with some images that David took this morning (below).

Best Wishes & Smiles,

Kelly

One Legged Squats are easy again! Plus my scars are barely visible which bodes well for the healing that's occurred in the joint!
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Child's Pose in Yoga - Look at that knee bend! Oh ya baby...that took a lot of work!
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Balancing on the Bosu.

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A Few Final Images From Tacen

It was an amazing crowd on Sunday!!! What energy!!!!
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This is Team USA. The Team event is pretty spectacular!
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Team Canada!!! Go Boys Go!!!

Team Canada during their Team Event. David, John, and Ben did an amazingly fast run for never training this event!

Great Result for Jessica!

We cheered Jess on like crazy!
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Jess exiting the first upstream, with a camera in the foreground filming her; she finished 19th.

Arghh...Sport Can be so Frustrating

A sign advertising the race in Tacen.

Today David competed in the World Championships in Tacen, Slovenia. The two runs today were to qualify for the semi-finals on Sunday.

Even with some of the fastest splits, David was unable to qualify due to mistakes that were simply insurmountable...even with how well he is currently paddling. It's so hard to be on the sidelines, knowing how hard he works, yet watching small errors become huge errors as the river (and sport) have no mercy.

There are no do overs in this arena.

The similarities between ski racing and whitewater continue to baffle me. Unlike most sports, you get one shot. There are a million variables, meaning you have to make a million split decision during the 90seconds it takes you to complete a run. You can win every split, but one mistake can be your downfall. Today Michael Kurt, who had podiums in 50% of the World Cups this year and finished 2nd in the Overall World Cup also missed qualifying for the semis. As did John Hastings from Canada, 8th in the overall World Cup. I mention these athletes simply as a demonstration to how similar it is to ski racing. On any given day, you can be on top of the podium or you can be out of the game entirely.

Yet, there are some athletes who have figured out a level of consistency that is truly remarkable. It's amazing to watch such performances.

Sport can inspire yet it can also bring you to your knees. I suppose that's why we love it so.

An exciting and loud crowd to cheer on the competitors.
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Many, many, many countries are attending these Worlds.
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Huw from GB is staring down the upstream gate during inspection.
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Dr.90210

Here in Slovenia they have a surprising amount of English TV. Which is great, but also funny. Many of the shows are reality based and almost all of them are a few years old.

The show that I've seen the most of while here (it's on almost all the time!) is Dr. 90210. I hadn't watched this show before and only knew the main Doctor in it from clips on TMZ.

Anyhow, this show has just made me feel a bit ill in regards to elective surgery. So far, I've needed shoulder and knee surgery in my career and I'm not a fan of the operating room. It's the LAST place I want to end up in. Yet, in this show, people are choosing to go under the knife again and again. It can be hard for me to watch, especially, when so many of these women are so beautiful already.

Anyhow, just some ramblings from here in Europe....

Link...

http://www.123result.com/LiveVideo.aspx?EventId=000154&User=slovenia&Season=CS_2010

Past this link to see/watch the World Champs for David and crew!

You Never Know What You're Going to See...

The Opening Ceremonies for the Canoe/Kayak World Championships in Ljubljana were very entertaining! You never knew what you were going to see! Above is the Mascot for the event...pretty funny!

Self Portrait in a mirror coming home from the opening ceremonies.

Evening Walk

David and I went for a nice walk yesterday evening, this is a very pretty area.

David, Pizza & Ljubljana

This pizza was Huge...David (and I) Love our Pizza!
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That's me, on a beautiful Sunday in Ljubljana.
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David and his coach Michal.
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More images of David in Tacen.

More from Tacen

This image is from earlier today. Everyone seems to have arrived!

Tacen - Slovenija

Tacen is, in my opinion, the most beautiful site the the whitewater World Cup visits. Everyone is now arriving as final preparations for the World Championships being.

Michael and John - Canadian Team Coaches
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This is where the medals will be presented.

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Tacen is like a Roman Amphitheater for Whitewater.
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