Snowboarding Act II

OK, so Friday March 21st was the last day we went snowboarding this season. It was my 6th time (7th over all). Mary and Jackson went for their 4th time. We also brought Jed with us... he also went a few weeks ago. Over all it has been a blast to learn the sport, but not with out it's bumps and bruises. 2 weeks ago Mary took a tumble on her first run, she made a big snowboarding "no, no" which is don't look down. She caught the edge of her board and went head over heels. She tweaked her neck and shoulder muscles and after trying for one more run she had to call it a day.

On Friday she got back in the saddle. Jed, who is much more experienced spent some time with her for most of the day, coaching her technique. By the end of the day she was loving it, and flying down the mountain pretty well. Both Jackson and Joseph have taken to the sport very well and seem to really enjoy it. Joseph has a bit of that dare-devil in him and isn't afraid to take off through the trees or try a jump. Hopefully we can keep him wearing a helmet!

Now for me.... I have been doing pretty well and enjoy the sport. I went one time last year, and I must say that there is a BIG difference between snowboarding at 245 lbs and 210 lbs. However, the month of March (which encompassed the last 4 outings for me), was truly what they call "spring skiing". No fresh snow, thus the runs were icy and pretty much solid as concrete at the beginning of the day. If the sun comes out it gets slushy and a little softer. Somehow there was a magnet on the left side of my rear-end that had a strong attraction to the "hard pack" snow. So for 3 weeks in a row I fell about 3-4 times on that side and was quite sore for the next 4-5 days.

Of course by some Murphy's law, on my first run Friday, I had a fall and landed square on my left cheek and it was quite a jolt.... owwweeee!!! Now the irony of this tale was the fact that everything I wanted to be able to do with a snowboard finally kicked in this day. I was carving up the runs and having a great time. Only bending over to adjust bindings and sitting on the lift were a painful chore. By the time I finished my 11th run, which was actually my best run of the day, I couldn't bend over and touch my toes. So I called it quits and waited in the car while Mary & Jed did a final run.

Well in my adult life I have never been in such terrible, throbbing and shooting pain, from my rear end to behind my left knee. When we got home we ran over to my doctor and found out that I have a big ol' HEMATOMA which had taken residence in my left buttocks and down my left hamstring. So now I am resting up on ice packs and Oxycontin.... And here is the craziest part. I had SO much fun on that last run.... I wish I could go again! But doctor says no more snowboarding this year.

So now I look forward to the snow melting away, and giving way to fishing and golf.... at least those sports shouldn't be too intense :-)
Sean