In an era when we’re always comparing ourselves to others through our addiction to social media, losing sight of your own accomplishments is a natural casualty of scrolling. Take running a marathon for example. Many years ago when I was training for my first (and only), marathon, I remember the people in my life falling into one of two camps: 1) those who had run marathons and thought this was a completely normal thing to do, and 2) the people who looked at me like I’d sprouted two extra heads when I told them about my training schedule. Today, most people I know have run at least a half marathon, if not a full or an ultra. But recently I learned that only 0.5% of the US population has run a marathon. Objectively speaking, the whole jogging along for 26.2+ miles thing is pretty impressive, and rare, but you wouldn’t know it looking at my group of friends, and I certainly don’t feel special for having done it.
Skiing is similar. My favorite skiing buddy Theresa is exactly one year ahead of me for Turns All Year. Which means that every time I hit a milestone, like 50 months or 5 years, she’s already been there – 12 months ago! She’s fantastic and tenacious and a damn fine skier and my love for her is well-documented, AND I’m a little bit jealous that I’m behind and will never catch up. I’ve been letting the fact that she’s already been there take a little bit of my steam. I’m the only person to blame for that.
Ninety months is seven and a half years, which, by my estimation, is a long damn time. Can you think of anything you’ve been doing for ninety months in a row? And to be clear, I’m talking about something that takes more effort than, say, eating and breathing and sleeping and pooping?
Nope? I didn’t think so!
Which is why I’m going to bask for a moment in the accomplishment that is 90 months of Turns All Year. I may have only skied one day in April, but it still counts. And don’t worry, what I lacked in quantity as more than made up for in quality: quality friends, quality costumes, and quality face plants. You gotta make it count!
Sunday, April 21, 2019 | Crystal Resort
For closing day at Crystal Mountain, a huge group of us assembled for a SUPER fun group ski day with costumes and sunshine (which, technically, the trip started the night before in the parking lot with a literal “shotgun” of tequila…. let’s just say the morning wasn’t super awesome.
Take a pull! I call this “thinking about choices”.
We had lots of friends come and go during the day, and saw a dude give a girl a shoulder ride while they were both wearing skis (I’ll let you imagine how well that went…), and drank a beer at lunch to reset our attitudes. Overall it was a great way to celebrate April turns and bring a close to the season. Thanks fraaaands!
Ducks in a row. It WAS successful at first. Andy all decked out in style. Nikki got jumps!
