Yesterday was the last race of my season. I am very sad and happy at the same time.
Sad because the end of something always brings strong emotions and I can’t help but think back on what I could have or should have done better this season. I wonder if this happens to everyone or if I am over analytical in this sense? I think I’m always searching for ways to be better and the end of the season is such a definite ‘finish line’ of sorts to look back on and assess. I’ve learned to do this more throughout the season so I can reflect snd address as I go, but the emotions seem inevitably heightened at the end. I’m also sad because I love ski racing so much and I won’t be able to do that for some months.
But I am happy for a lot of reasons as well. The past week has been an absolute blast racing with my friend and teammate Stef in Aspen and then Taos. We both had awesome weekends, me finishing second yesterday and Stef absolutely crushing it getting third yesterday and FIRST today!!! This past week was super exciting and great motivation going into next season because we are both clearly skiing fast and have even more speed to be found 🚀!
I also am extremely proud when I look back at this season. I will definitely write in more depth in future blogs about my season reflections. But the biggest thing I am proud of is how much my perspective on ski racing has changed. I think my competitiveness and race day mindset has remained consistent, however this season I finally learned to embrace the entire process and the pursuit itself, whole heartedly.
I enjoyed this season so much more than past years. I think it was a combination of a more mature outlook, an amazing team environment (more on this and specifically Stef in a later blog :)), and realizing that I can be totally committed to skiing as fast as possible AND still enjoy the ride no matter the results. For so long, I assumed that if I did bad, I had to be sad. I thought that I could only allow myself to be happy with good results. But not only did this make me miserable, it also probably negatively affected my skiing. Don’t get me wrong, I still care deeply about the results and have had many very disappointed and tough days (yesterday morning being one of them when I crashed in the first run of the parallel GS). But I no longer judge my days solely on the numbers on the scoreboard but more by the effort I gave, the memories and connections I made, and the lessons I learned. I really wish I had figured this out sooner because it has made this season my best one yet. But I’m glad I finally am seeing things from a better perspective and I am looking even more forward to next season!
I am already planning my next training blocks and excited to get back on the grind. But first I’ll take two weeks away from ski boots for a little rest to recharge, regroup and reflect. I don’t love resting but I know it’s important.
Thank you so much to everyone for following along this season. This blog has brought me a lot of happiness.
I’m excited to continue to share reflections and lessons from this past season and more training to come! Here are photos from the World Pro Ski Tour this weekend which was a terrific and exciting event and I made some good money to start funding next season :)
Really enjoy your reflections and progress. With your permission may I quote you and your blog in a column I am doing this month for my newsletter? It will also be posted to LinkedIn with full credit and links etc.
Congrats on a successful season of learning and growing Trish! You will cherish these days!! JonW