Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
I thought I’d watch the women’s downhill this morning. While I cleaned my tack. Well it did get a little wet yesterday. Once again, the bonkersness of winter sports was laid out clear.
Watching Lindsey Vonn crash out was a heart in mouth moment. The fact she made it there in the first place was inspiring. Not only coming out of retirement, after a partial knee replacement and a torn ACL. She’s 41 and still has so much desire for a sport she loves.
It goes to show that age isn’t the limit that we may be implied. In fact there was a 52 year old woman in the snowboard slalom.
Winter sports are definitely high risk. Let’s throw yourself off a mountain and land on something a kin to concrete. Listening to the commentators, it was like top trumps of injuries!
I used to ski when I was younger. Nothing to this level. It was a huge adrenaline rush flying down the slopes. So I do get the appeal.
I ride a horse, which comes with a huge set of risks. And a very similar rush. I guess it’s another reminder that you have to enjoy the ride while you can.
So 2020 was going to be my year. The year I got my life sorted after being served redundancy notice from my job in November 2019. The year I ticked off more things from my horsey bucket list. The year I got my mental health back under control and reduced stress in my life.
I had a plan. And it was a good one. Then the plan changed dramatically on 2 January. I came off my horse at speed and broke my ankle. Badly. Like all good equestrians, I got back on and rode back to the yard, sorted Buddy out and then drove myself to A&E. That’s where this journey really began...
I was sent home from A&E and told to crack on, only to receive a phone call later to say they’d missed a fracture (and a rather serious one at that). Whoops! So fracture clinic on 3 January, surgery on 5 January and home to recover.
I started this blog as a way to chart my recover back to the saddle. As I cleared clinics and competitions out of my diary and wondered what the next few months would bring, it's been a safe space for me to say how I'm feeling.
The new plan was to get a new job, to keep Buddy is kept ticking over and recover from my injury. Another good plan! I didn't expect a global pandemic, lockdown and all that happened in 2020.
This blog has changed over time but it's continued to be my safe space to share the things going on in my life, with Buddy and the cats. Enjoy!
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2 thoughts on “Downhill”
I felt the same way seeing her crash out, her career has been nothing short of amazing especially with all the injury recoveries she has had from skiing. The fact that she was still out there living her dream at her age is so inspiring, and it’s shocking and sad how many people on social media are giving her a hard time for not stepping aside and allowing a younger athlete to compete. She looked to be in great physical shape even after the new ACL tear a week ago, which is not something a lot of people could do. There’s not a day that goes by where I’m not aware of the risk I put myself in while riding and working with horses. I think a lot of people wouldn’t board and transport horses or want to ride if they had a leg like mine, and would settle for a job or hobby with a lot less risks. For me personally, I can’t see myself doing anything else in life that would give me as much enjoyment, and I’m sure Lindsey Vonn feels the exact same way with her love and passion for competitive skiing.
Tales, Tails and Talus 
I felt the same way seeing her crash out, her career has been nothing short of amazing especially with all the injury recoveries she has had from skiing. The fact that she was still out there living her dream at her age is so inspiring, and it’s shocking and sad how many people on social media are giving her a hard time for not stepping aside and allowing a younger athlete to compete. She looked to be in great physical shape even after the new ACL tear a week ago, which is not something a lot of people could do. There’s not a day that goes by where I’m not aware of the risk I put myself in while riding and working with horses. I think a lot of people wouldn’t board and transport horses or want to ride if they had a leg like mine, and would settle for a job or hobby with a lot less risks. For me personally, I can’t see myself doing anything else in life that would give me as much enjoyment, and I’m sure Lindsey Vonn feels the exact same way with her love and passion for competitive skiing.
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Exactly that!! I’m with you all the way. We know the risks, but the payoff is worth it.
Hope things are good with you.
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