Links, links, and more Links

Check out all the amazing coverage and support I've received with my return to snow!

FIS - Video and Article:

www.fisalpine.com

Article in The Province:

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Kelly+VanderBeek+takes+first+step+skiing+return/3901716/story.html

My Blog for CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/alpineskiing/


Today was my second day on skis and it went well! I did 4 runs today and I had my GS skis on - I could still turn them!

Like Coming Home...

Yesterday was a spectacular day and the culmination of a years' worth of extremely hard work.

It was the day I skied for the first time since my crash on December 17, 2009.

I can only describe my return to snow as if I was finally 'Coming Home'.

This is me on the chairlift heading up for my first run!

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Stretching it out - making sure I'm limbered up for the run!
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Myself and Dr. Bob Litchfield (the surgeon who put me back together). It was special being able to share this day with him, his family, and Kent Kobelka (team physio).

It was a beautiful morning for my first day back.
Skiing continues to take my breath away in all the right ways.

CBC & Big News

I did some work with Doug Dirks and Scott Russell today during CBC's coverage of the Men's World Cup in Lake Louise. It was a spectacular day and it made me want to race more than ever. Being around the World Cup has been good for my soul.

BIG NEWS: Last night I received the ALL CLEAR from my surgeon, Dr. Litchfield and our physio Kent Kobelka. Tomorrow, Sunday morning, will be my first time clicking into my bindings since my crash Dec. 17, 2009. Litchfield and Kent will be joining me for the morning ski: I couldn't be in better hands.

I'll just be missing my hubby David; he's been such a big part of this recovery and I look forward to the first time I'll ski with him!

I'll let you know how the ski goes!

CTV's Canada AM - Short n Sweet

Kelly (Me), Jeff Hutcheson, & a local longtime skier Eddie Hunter

This morning I was on CTV's Canada AM for a short 'n sweet moment to talk about the World Cup events here in Lake Louise. The men will be racing this weekend and the women next weekend.

Chilly Morning for a Work Party at Tamihi!

This is a gate the kayakers go around for training: frozen solid.

Climbing ladders was part of the job this morning!

Helmet 2011 Season; Dinner

The middle helmet is my latest design for the 2011 Season!

The others are the helmets I used over the last 2 years.

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Dinner...I loved the colours in this pan! Now that's healthy eating.

Be sure to check out my written Blog at:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/alpineskiing/

First Snow of the Season in Chilliwack!

New Hat, Mouthguard, & Sponsors Meetings

Today was a full day in all the right ways. I had a few meetings in Vancouver with sponsors that went well, I picked up my new Teck hat, picked up my new mouthguards at Dr. Hill's in Surrey, and finally home to train!

The gear is coming together...next step...starting my on-snow preparation so I can return to racing stronger than ever!

My New Teck Hat!

Therapy and Fundraising

This was my own version of Therapy.

As I'm preparing to return to snow (yippee!!!)- I came across my Downhill Suit they had to cut off me in the Hospital after my crash. It brought back some emotions, so, I decided to do something about it! Since the suit was a throw away, I cut it up into small pieces. I then wrapped it up and threw it away.

It felt remarkably good.

Earlier today I was recording some clips and questions for the Tree of Hope Campaign that will run later this month. It raises funds for the Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region and this year I'm the Honorary Chair.

http://www.facswaterloo.org/html/TreeofHopeHome.html

Love Halloween

The smallest kids are always the cutest during Halloween...but it's hard to resist the temptation to dress up yourself! David and I went out this weekend as Dr. 90210 (the reality TV show) and I was his candy striper. Lots of fun.

David as Dr. 90210.

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You never know who you'll run into at Halloween!

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OTR - Next Question Segments

Here are a few images from Off the Record - Mike Janyk and I both shot our 'Next Question' segments yesterday.

Mike in the Hot seat.

Me, getting my makeup done for the show. My segment aired yesterday evening.
If you missed it, I'll try to get copy and post it on my blog soon!

Big Day in Toronto

Our Team will have their official Launch at a press conference this morning.

Later in the day I'll be shooting Next Question with Michael Landsberg on Off The Record (OTR) - TSN.

I'll let you know when that interview will air.

Then finally, the day will wrap up with the Miele Mixer this evening!

More details to come...

Article Link - The Record

Link to The Record's article on the KVR event yesterday:

http://news.therecord.com/Sports/article/799764

(Photographs by Mathew McCarthy)

Yeah KVR Kids Fit!!!!!

I flew to Ontario yesterday and was asked a common question during travel, “Are you traveling for work?" Once again, I had to pause and think about it. Ya…I suppose I’m traveling for work, but wow, my work is fabulous because it feels like anything but work.

Last night is one example of why that is....

Yesterday evening I got to play and hang out with over 40 kids and their parents. We ran through the woods, played and kept fit! This is the KVR Kids Fit crew and I felt honoured to be their guest. Erica Bassin has been the heart of this group and it’s growing rapidly with Peter and Jeff also acting as coaches/trainers.

Wow, I felt inspired!!!! I was smiling for hours straight!!!

Check out the images below - what fun!

Erica, Syree, Annemieke and me! We had a great evening!

Below are all our Minute to Win it style games. Loads of laughs all around!

The parents were right in there competing! (Although the Dad's may not admit it; the Mom's Team won in overall points for the night!)

Flexibility was not the Dads' strong suit.

This was serious business!

How fast can you pull out tissue one at a time?...

This was my team for the night, Team Mascots!!!!

Balancing apples is harder than it appears.

Today, I’m off to Toronto and will be catching up with sponsors, media, and friends.

OTR appearance is coming soon - I'll keep you posted!

World Cup Season has Begun!!!

Yeah Mitch!!!!

Congratulations on Finishing 13th in Solden, Austria (2nd on her second run!)!!!!

Patience is a Virtue...

As I drove past Lake Louise, on my way to Calgary for a 10 day training camp, I was sad to know I wouldn't be racing there this year for the first time in 10years. I sat in the car with a swollen knee, and it was the first time I'd really accepted this truth. Until now, I had held onto the possibility that I could be ready in time for Louise.

While the physiotherapists and medical staff are extremely happy with my progress I’m a bit anxious as this recovery hasn’t lived up to my expectations (even if I was expecting to have super women powers…hey…I like to set the bar high!). Although I had hoped to be farther along in my recovery, everyone around me seems very optimistic. We’re all working hard to get me back on the World Cup podium, then, onto Sochi stronger than ever.

As you can imagine, the competitor in me is struggling to be patient with my recovery but I know it’ll pay off.

My strength and aerobic power are doing great and improving with every passing week. Two weeks ago I even requested a new program since I felt the one I was doing had gotten too easy. We added more advanced jumping and more volume to the program. I was sore but able to do it all which felt great. However, after a week of this program my knee said it was too much. It swelled, forcing me to take a few days off the knee before resuming my training. This isn’t a big hiccup, but it was a reminder that patience truly is a virtue!

As of now, we’re hoping to get me back on skis in early December. From there we will build towards getting into gates and finally racing. Our whole approach to this recovery is to have a full recovery, so we’re being sure we don’t skip any steps.

I am extremely lucky to have such experience staff around me like Kobelka (physio), Jordan (trainer), and a few doctors including Irving and Litchfield helping me on my road back to the World Cup. And on the ‘Brain/Emotional’ Side of this recovery I’m also working just as hard with equally as amazing people. (Plus a Hubby who is my biggest supporter through all of this:)

I truly am excited that it’s not long now before I’ll be back on snow.

Up next, a short visit to Ontario for some fun times with KVR and a few Gala/Media events!

Patiently Optimistic,

Kelly

Note:

I’ll be OTR (Off the Record, TSN) next week!

Likely on Tuesday’s show - I’ll Twitter/Facebook updates so you’ll know when to tune in!

Check out this Article:

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/VanderBeek+finds+release+behind+lens/3682533/story.html

Calgary & Kananaskis Pictures

David - still rocking it in the boat.
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I loved this shot of the rocks with the water lapping over them.
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David; looking cute as ever by the river.
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This was the morning after the blizzard Calgary got hit with. As you can see by the crystals...it was cold. Good for snow-making in Nakiska & Lake Louise...not so good for David in the water!
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This is Taos - Mike & Jill's dog...whom is spoiled like crazy but oh so cute!

Dew on the Grass & Tasty Cookie Recipe

I took this picture earlier this morning - the dew on the grass was so beautiful.
(This also reminded me it's about time to cut my lawn!)
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On another note - this is my new favourite Cookie recipe!

Check it out:
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/chewy-molasses-spice-cookies-recipe?click=recipe_sr

Thanksgiving David & Kelly Style

The Best of Thanksgiving; Family, Friends & Lounge time and watching Hockey.
Now that's a lot to be thankful for!

Little Quynn's Getting Bigger!

David and I were recently in Victoria visiting Gary, Aryn, and our niece Quynn. It was fun being around family and we look forward to another block together around Thanksgiving. As always, I'm taking pictures and learning so much about this art form. I continue to fall more in love with this form of expression.

As for training; my knee is stronger each week and I've now begun a full training program! It's going well and I'm happy to see my knee push itself in new movements gaining in confidence and strength.

Baby Quynn is so beautiful!!! As her Aunt I may be biased...but come on...how cute!