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Oh....so that's what they call them....Soft Addictions...

smootharc

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Feb 16, 2005
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http://www.lifechallenges.org/create/WrightJ.html


You know, I've been thinking a bit lately (usually a bad idea). About the gap between my ski "dreams" and my ski "reality". Every year (and they click by pretty fast these days) I have this idea in my mind of what I'll do to ski better. Better, more focused off season training....better diet....better pushing of personal limits....better approach to working past fear, etc., etc.). It all sounds so good and easy and doable inside my head. Then the sun rises, the rooster crows, and that 45 minutes of plyometrics I was so amped about last night goes "poof" as I hit the snooze button. And the dreams and reality gap just keeps on keepin' on.....

First I heard of these "soft" addictions was in last Sunday's paper, but, heavens to Betsy, I feel like I'm festering with these things! Like Bogey in the "African Queen" leech scene. Like...well, here's a few...

- "I should really get more sleep" vs. "I'll just catch the monologue on Leno".
- "I really shouldn't eat that bowl of ice cream" vs. "get the hell out of my way as I pop the top of this Ben & Jerry pint or I'll spoon you to death".
- "I'll stretch more....I'll this more....I'll that less". Yikes! I'm soft and addicted.

And now they're writing books about it so I'll feel guilty to boot. Where's the fun in surfing and potatoing in America anymore...jeepers.

At least I'm not alone, right ? Anybody ? Everybody ??
 

Sparky

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Aug 20, 2004
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Near Jiminy Peak
Life is to be enjoyed. Just how much “fun” you have to give up to have other “fun” is the question. Sleeping in and ice cream vs. skiing 7/8 hours without crippling yourself for the next day is a tough choice to make. Especially when the sleeping and eating is right now and the skiing seems to be eons away. For many of us dealing with the fact that this summer seems endless (and miserable) requires some sort of instant gratification.
Back in the day, you could party till dawn ski till dark and start the whole process all over again. If you fell it didn’t really hurt if it did it wasn’t for long, your legs were made out of steel instead of rubber and the lifts closed before you were tired. Applying that standard can be a little disheartening. Personally I’ve given up on trying to get into “better” shape then last year, I’d settle for almost as good as last year. I just want to be able to ski all day and get up and do it again the next day without to many pharmaceuticals. There is an instructor at my mountain that is 76, every year he shows up I know I’ve got 21 more years to go.
:beer:
 

tirolerpeter

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Sep 1, 2004
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Draper, UT
Fantasy?

You can dream all you want, but certain realities just don't "cut you no slack." Eat that Ben and Jerry's, stay in the sack, but don't expect to make a day's worth of beautiful turns without pain. I'm 59, work hard at staying in shape, and ski the whole day through. No fantasy!
 

deadheadskier

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Mar 6, 2005
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Priorities are depressing man.

I know that I am a shell of the skier that I once was and am still capable of being. When I was skiing bumps competively in High School and logging 70 to 100 days a year, I put in a lot more effort in the off season to keep myself in shape. Same goes for when I was a ski bum in college and a couple years after in my mid-twenties where I was content at bartending at night and skiing all day.

These days due to work constraints I only get out about 15-20 days a year and in the same parallel I train far less in the off seasons. The obvious is that because of this my skiing ability is not what it once was, which is somewhat depressing considering I'm just about to turn 30 and should for all sakes and puposes, still be in my 'prime'.

I'm still as passionate as ever about skiing, but other priorities unfortunately have become a part of my life that limit me from being the skier I am capable of being.

Some folks can balance it better than I and have a greater drive to keep themselves in the necessary shape to ski at peak performance. I struggle at it, but its hard to motivate myself in the off seasons when I work 50-60 hours a week and am well aware that at most I can get in 25 days a year these days.

As depressing as it can be, its really not though because I still suprise myself with my ability when I do 'rip' it. I can still do it, but it just doesn't happen as I know I'm capable of and that is the direct result of a shift in priorities.
 

Vortex

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Joined
Oct 14, 2004
Messages
458
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Location
Canterbury NH, Bethel Me
Skiing helps me through the 55+ hour work week and commute. Helps me set goals and give ballance to my life.
My support group is on the mountain. I do need a few months off at the end of the season. Body breaks down.
 
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