Kelly McBroom

MSU Hockey (ski) team

2012-01-23T11:39:00.002-07:00

Sh!t skiers say

2012-01-12T21:19:00.002-07:00

Aggressive Alpine Skiing

2012-01-09T21:37:00.001-07:00

My new warmup

New Chapters- by Shona

2012-01-03T17:20:00.001-07:00

I just read this poem by Shona Rubens and thought it was incredibly beautiful and worth sharing.

Shona, much like myself has crossed the void and begun her new life as a scholar. She remains one of the best people I know and has entered this new chapter in her life with the poise and enthusiasm only she could possibly posses. I think the rest speaks for itself as seen below through her writing

Enjoy

New Chapters

There are some moments in your life
When the story's getting old.
It's not that it is boring,
But just a little over told.

Sometimes the moments creep up slowly
'Til you can't wait for a change.
You have lots of time to think
On exactly how to rearrange.

Sometimes they show up blindly
Like a big slap in the face.
You crave to shift things quickly
Without losing too much grace.

Either way it's good to listen
To your heart in these tough times.
To go on living unfufilled
Is one of lifes biggest crimes.

So go ahead and make the leap,
Dive into it head first.
Think of the good things change will bring,
Dont dwell upon the worst.

The story of this life you live
is not carved out in stone.
The lucky author of this book
is you, and you alone.

So dont be scared and turn the page!
Be courageous and be bold!
The great next chapter of your life
Is waiting to unfold.

-Shona Rubens

Guy on a Buffalo

2012-01-01T15:31:00.001-07:00

I live in Montana now... This is pretty much what its like!

Reflections- Change

2011-12-23T00:54:00.002-07:00

As the year 2011 comes to a close and I have finished my first semester as a university student, I cannot help but feel the need to reflect on the many changes that have occurred in the past year.

I believe that change is the door to new possibilities and the gateway to new success. As I sit here writing this, I am looking through the glasses of a completely new life, one I fail to recognize as my own. A different set of eyes from that of a year ago, alive with fresh perspective, surroundings and a newfound love and insight into the realm of possibility -what can be and what will be.

In one of my many essays this semester I wrote about how change is as terrifying as it is a cherished fantasy. Nobody likes change because it's uncomfortable and standing on the precipice of a life change is daunting and stressful because we're creatures of comfort. We operate in such a way that tradition trumps change not because tradition is better, but that change is simply horrifying. When in reality, as it turns out, change is healthy and exciting and really isn't as scary as it's made out to be. In the words of Bob Dylan, "there is nothing so stable as change," a concept that is hard to grasp until experienced first hand.

As a ski racer I was always looking for the fastest line and way to keep the momentum rolling down the hill in the smoothest and most efficient way possible. The idea being to never interrupt the energy plane with excess movements from turn to turn. My sole goal was to make it from A to B the fastest. Now as a student I am dealing with A's and B's in terms of C's and e's, supply and demand curves and critical thought relating to a piece of literature. Needless to say I am out of my element and no longer is my life measured in terms of time, rather time is measured in terms of life.

I have unfortunately experienced many adversities over this past year and I have learned so much in the realm of life, school and learning in general. But the thing that really stuck with me is that no matter what happens, the only real way to face challenges and adversity is to face them head on with courage, strength and reckless abandon. I have thrown myself head first into my new life and have taken each defeating moment as a challenge.

A year ago I wanted nothing more than to be a ski racer, now I want that, and more. I want to ski as an outlet of comfort, familiarity and stress release from the grind of learning. I also want to ski for the sheer joy it brings me and the reminder of positive change.

With that, as I have been bugged relentlessly to begin blogging again, I will pick this up sporadically for whoever wants to read it!

Ciao for now
Kelly

p.s I've started skiing again!

MSU ski team, more on that later!

For you girls in Soelden!

2011-10-19T12:50:00.000-06:00

Frost on my windshield this morning, changing leaves and chilly weather, you know what that means? It's almost GO TIME!
Here's a little refresher course for you girls preparing for Soelden next week!

Best of luck to all!

Kelly

windsurfing the GORGE

2011-08-08T16:38:00.004-06:00

Here's a glance at my summer so far! Loving getting back to health

Catch ya on the water or on the trails!

Kelly

Grass skiing

2011-07-04T21:16:00.000-06:00

This is fantastic!

Springtime sabbatical activities

2011-06-30T12:42:00.003-06:00

I may be taking a sabbatical from ski racing, and leisure "retirement" activities have become my daily affairs. But I'm still kicking around and hanging with the team and having so much fun!

In fact I've been around a lot lately... You may have noticed while checking other blogs, or maybe not. But here's a little recap in case you missed it!

Chilling with the girls

Levitating plank while hiking Ha-ling

Group shot

Climbing mountains

Double slacklining

Eating smores and BBQing

Plank bombing

Erin and Kevin even let me in on one of their couple shots

Rocking the velodrome

Triple plank

Camping

Overseeing training. Good work girls, power through.

Great Big Sea, now that one I was actually there for

I don't cross lines, I simply move them!

But in all seriousness, it's been fun welcoming the girls to my hometown of Canmore, and their blogs are great. Check them out!

Kelly

Mama cat hugs baby kitten

2011-06-13T17:28:00.000-06:00

Dawwwwwww x1000

Decisions- MSU

2011-05-29T00:51:00.006-06:00

An article from the Crag and Canyon
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3139066

Decisions. What can be said about decisions?

Newton's third law of motion states that to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We've all heard it. We've all studied it. And we've all had it pounded into our minds with such fervour from those who believe physics can be adapted to every situation that it makes us want to vomit. Like physics, each decision has an impact on the trajectory of our lives -a reaction. Every time we choose to do something, consciously or not, it forever changes the course and direction of our destinies.

What to eat? Where to go? Who to talk to? What to do? Are some of the decisions we make daily without thought or regard. We enter into a routine of glancing at options and making a choice. It's such a simple process with the reactions of most decisions being indeterminate. The inevitability of decisions are a fact of life and can be both a blessing and a curse. Every so often we are presented with a big decision, and while some decisions are easy; others are very much to the contrary.

The famous Robert Frost poem "A Road Not Taken" describes a man who comes to a fork in the road and has to choose which path to take.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could

Recently, I have felt like this man. Stuck at a fork in the road peering down each path in vain; trying to decide which direction to take. Completely lost and torn, my mind changed with each passing minute. 5 months ago I wanted nothing more than to pursue a career as a full-time athlete. I believed my path was set and I was happy about it. Then, it all changed and I was left with a choice.

My ducks lined up in a row, all bases covered, a couple hundred pros and cons lists both on paper and in my mind; I thought about my options. I put each possible outcome and weighed it in terms of value and importance, reflected on what I want to do, who I want to be, where I want to go and what to do now?

Do I stick to the familiar path, the one I have always travelled? Or do I make a change and take the "one less travelled by?"

After 5 months of countless sleepless nights, stress, much pondering and reflection I have come to the decision that I will not be returning to the National Ski Team this year, rather I have accepted a scholarship to Montana State University starting in the fall. It's the best possible option for me at this point in my life as I will still be pursuing my ski racing career while finishing out my rehab and starting school.

Taking a different path is never easy, and this has been the hardest decision of my life, but things always have this funny way of working out. I believe that school is a totally viable option for ski racers and I'm going to school with the goal of someday returning to the National team once I am recovered, fit, strong and healthy. It's the best of all worlds, I still get to ski and I'm getting an education.

With that, I am excited for this new path in life and thankful to everyone who has helped me along the way.

On to the next adventure, and the next decision:

To blog, or not to blog? That is the question.

Kelly

Long weekend nature walking

2011-05-22T12:31:00.000-06:00

On the agenda for my long weekend.... Nature walking!

Thats pretty neat

"Welcome to Canada"

2011-05-19T20:05:00.000-06:00

This is great. From Erin

Oscar

2011-05-17T11:50:00.000-06:00

I don't know why I find this so funny... But I do! Brings me back to my youth...

Dog tease!

2011-05-17T11:46:00.000-06:00

HA!

Tiger Temple, Kanchanaburi and the Grand Palace

2011-05-16T09:19:00.001-06:00

A little video....

TIGERS!

The tiger temple close to Kanchanaburi which is a tiger sanctuary run by monks. We got to pet tigers, walk with them and interact with the massive kitties! That was neat!

Before going here I read some pretty negative reviews that said the tigers were mis treated and kept in horrible conditions. I was a little put off by these stories and nervous to check it out, but realized once I got there that this was not the case. There are over 90 tigers living at the temple and only about 15 a day are brought out for tourists. The only time they are tied up is during the limited visiting hours, other than that they roam free in their built habitat.

All in all, I was impressed and thought it was pretty cool. The tigers seemed very used to human contact and it was over 30 degrees, so they were obviously pretty lethargic!

Meeeeoww

Thats one schwarzekitty!

Cute

Elli with an Asian conga line in behind her??

Play time!

Loved it!

Then we adventured back to bangkok for our final stretch of vacation and checked out the Grand Palace!

It did not disappoint! So beautiful!

The intricacies of the temples and grounds cannot be put to words. I was awed by the details, but not impressed by the crowds and heat!

Stunning!

I'm home now and getting back into the swing of things with training and physio! Back to work, holiday time is over.

Kah pun kha Thailand, we had a blast!

Kelly

Floating Market and Kanchanaburi

2011-05-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

After Vietnam we made our way back to Bangkok and headed West towards Kanchanaburi and the all famed floating market!

It was cool. We got there a little later so we missed the crowds, but still had the experience.

You wouldn't catch me dead in that water

Then we went and checked out the country side and mountains around Kanchanaburi and all it has to offer. What an area! We went and saw the end point of the "death railway"

We went on a hike to find some caves, but failed miserably! Thumbs down to jungle scary jungle walking!

You think it's edited, but no editing here! This is the stunning sunset in all it glory up in the mountains.

Floating restaurant just below the bridge over the river Kwai

Haha Jewelly market.. classic

Baby leopard! Dawwww

Bridge over the river Kwai

Hiking up to Erawan falls in Kanchanaburi. This place was super cool! A 7 tiered waterfall that has a swimming area at each level, stocked with fish that bite your feet (the same ones found in spas) for free! Score!

I wore a sock cause there was NO WAY any fish was getting close to biting my skin graft!

Glorious!

Ho Chi Minh- Vietnam

2011-05-02T21:09:00.005-06:00

Ho Chi Minh, or otherwise known as Saigon. A city bustling with activity, life and a little bit of communism! After the beaches we made our way back North on route to Vietnam to visit my brother who had some time off work and was meeting us there!

It was extremely vague before our departure the status of Visas, some places told us we needed one, others said we could get one upon arrival in Vietnam. As it turned out, we needed "letters of intent for requiring a Visa upon arrival", stat! After many pigeon english phone calls to the head Vietnam immigration office, we were able to suss out some Visas at short notice. Barely.

I thought for sure we were going to arrive at the airport and either be turned around immediately, or upon arriving in Vietnam be deported back to Bangkok. At 2:30 we had nothing and had to be checked in by 3pm. As fate would have it, down to the wire at 2:56 pm our Visas arrived with uncanny timing, making it seem like included with the email was a voice note cuing a choir of angels. With the intention of making me look up and exclaim "there is a god, hallelujah!"

Only problem being that we were on the wrong side of the airport and I have a broken leg... Need not worry, we're resourceful and ended up sprinting through the airport on a luggage trolley with Visas and passports in hand yelling "excuse me, watch out, beep beep, coming through."

To the trolley mobile!

Phew! We made it! Things always have a way of working out.

Good morning Pho

Vietnam- a culinary experience not for the faint of heart...

Somehow this doesn't leave me with a sense of a good appetite...

What a "beef communications landscap" is, I don't know... But don't even get me started on "Grilled beef with citronella"

But the coffee on the other hand, now that is amazing! It's like Jet fuel! Thick and strong coffee with condensed milk...

Making friends with some locals at a street side coffee shop/ photocopy place

War remnants museum: an anti-American, propaganda and distorted pictures filled place leaving viewers with an eerie sense of "which side do I believe?" Very interesting seeing the other side of the Vietnam war story.

For mom

Hey look, more physio! The women working out at night in the park, so naturally we joined in.

The rice is in the omelet and covered with curry. My mind was blown.

Fresh squeezed sugar cane juice, served in a bag as with all of the drinks in Asia

Checking out the Markets at night and bartering. As it turns out, my skin graft can come in handy every once in a while. I managed to use it at every opportunity to get a lower price... People take one look at it and basically give me whatever I want, milk it while you got it!

I can't decide, should I go for the intestines, snout of liver? Or branch out to the noodles sitting directly below and get a taste of all 3?

This city is nuts, crossing the street was perilous. There are 9 million people and 5 million motorbikes!

The city itself is filled with parks and greenery, a nice surprise to find this while walking aimlessly around

Boom boom sticks!

We shot Ak 47's, an M16 and an M1

Inside the Cu-Chi tunnels. The secret underground tunnel system used in the war.

View from our hotel room

My first taste of communism, propaganda is still apparent all over the city

I don't know what this is, but it tasted good!

Ellis first street food experience

I don't know what you're talking about Elli, mine was delicious!

Haha a Cooctail. I went for it and this is what came up!

Please don't be dog, please don't be dog... Better yet, coagulated pigs blood!

What an experience!

It was great to spend time with my brother. Other than being bit by a fruit, having a cockroach crawl up my leg and a rat almost jumping into Ellis lap, we has a blast!

Next up: Kanchanaburi

Phuket: Beaches, sunscreen and Aloe

2011-04-30T10:39:00.002-06:00

Beaches, sunscreen, aloe vera, spicy green curry, tuk tuks and pad thai pretty much sums up Phuket in a nut shell. After our couple days on Koh Phi Phi we were partied out and excited to find ourselves some air conditioning (duly noted, not making that mistake again!)

So back to Phuket we went to visit some more amazingly beautiful beaches

We started our adventure up the West coast of Phuket beginning in Kata/ Karon

Getting tattoos on the beach!

Time heals. Thats all I have to say about that.

We rented a scooter to check out more of the island when staying at Kamala beach... Then of course we found the pre-requisite dirt bike track and took the scooter for a rip! Elli shredded and I took pictures. I opted out of this excursion because my "this is a really bad idea" radar was going full boar..

Her face says it all. I've never ridden any form of motorized bike, so this was interesting riding behind Elli on the left hand side of the road. I don't think my heart rate went below 180 I was so scared!

Kamala beach

Doing my physio, when in doubt lunge it out!

The sunset, we stayed directly on the beach and it was breathtaking. Above is Elli and below is myself

I was obsessed with the sunsets over the couple days we were there!

All in all Phuket was awesome. I absolutely loved it! So many beautiful beaches and some great chill time. Theres something to be said about the positive effects sitting on a beach in a nice chair and swimming has on the body! But one week of beaching is enough for me as sand has this unbelievable ability to make it everywhere. It's like water, only much more annoying!

I'm pretty happy to not feel like I'm exfoliating my skin every time I reapply sunscreen every half an hour!

Next up: Saigon- Vietnam

Koh Phi Phi

2011-04-26T10:03:00.000-06:00

After Elli arrived we headed South to visit the beaches of the beautiful Phuket to relax and try to tan our pasty bodies! And when I say tan what I really mean is burn!

I'm a chameleon... Be the sand

Then we hopped onto a ferry bound to Koh Phi Phi, which is an island off the coast of Phuket, simply put its absolute paradise! Minus the fact that we opted for the cheapest accommodation in the land which was tiny and had no air conditioning. The location was perfect, close to the beach and water, which is the same beach that turns into one massive sprawl of nightclubs in the evenings. Nothing like trying to sleep in a sweat lodge hearing Barbara Streisand mixed with Eminem, all the while feeling the reverberations of the swedish house music. Can you say heat stroked and cranky? I can.

None the less, we enjoyed it immensely

I mean, how could we not? Just look at this place!

The "Harbor"

Cats everywhere begging for food

Longtail boats for days! Some even equipped with solar panels. For those moments when you feel the need to rejoin the 21st century while on an ancient rickety fishing boat...

We went on a budget tour for Ellis birthday, which as it turns out was quite sketchy. Snorkelling to a secluded monkey beach at low tide on top of coral and sea urchins. We escaped bodily harm.. barely!

One great thing about this tour was that it included a free bucket at the end! Score!

Longtailing into the sunset

The beach! Gorgeous

Koh Phi Phi, a place where any pasty body can go from white to red in a matter of minutes

Next up, Phuket

Songkran- EPIC water fight!

2011-04-14T03:28:00.000-06:00

I know, blogging twice in a day is aggressive. But I can't not! Today was just too great not to share. Elli got here last night and today we went and joined in the party which took the form of a water fight!

Not just any water fight, this was epic. Thousands crowded the streets in this ridiculous tradition and Elli and I were right in the mix!

No rules. YES!

Khao San Road

Winning!

Our sniper positions. We set up shop here and sprayed EVERYONE who walked by. Like I said, no rules! Fantastic

The little kids were the best

We ended up starting a flash mob in the middle of the street to the Global DJ's...

And then ended up on a table...

Life goal of starting a flashmob- Accomplished

This festival is nuts!

Sopping wet and loving life! Welcome to Thailand Elli

Songkran- Thai New Year

2011-04-13T19:02:00.003-06:00

I find it fitting that once again, for the third time this year I'm ringing in the New Year.

Songkran, Thailand's New Year is the biggest holiday of the year and the city has turned itself into one massive 12 million person water fight! The Thais stand on every street corner blasting music and splashing water and flour on everyone and anyone who happens to pass by their location, no exceptions!

There are Asian inspired water guns for sale on every street corner and I can't help but feel peace seeing the happiness the Thais exude in their celebrations. Splashing water on someone; such a simple yet effective joy. It's this simplistic mannerism I find inspiring in a world so corrupted by material needs and vanity. For 3 days, the people throw every prejudice, discrimination, sense of separation and pride by the wayside to embrace their inner youth. All the while creating a sense of community and closeness otherwise thought impossible in a city so densely populated and country so large. For 3 days there are no borders, no rules and no judgement, just the simple joy of a water fight.

I take from this the thought that sometimes it's ok to be a kid and to, as always, enjoy the simple joys in life.

I went and checked out Khao San Road (backpackers ghetto) which is the sight for the biggest Songkran party and festivities. They closed the street in preparation for the water fight!

My first Tuk Tuk experience, something not to be missed in Bangkok!

Moments before getting attacked by this group and drenched in my Tuk Tuk

Trucks filled with people attacking each other at stop lights!

Elli just got here and we are well prepared to go and join in on the fun

Here's to hoping there's truth in the old adage "third times a charm!"

Happy New Years

Kelly

Pattaya: Elephants and monkeys!

2011-04-11T10:31:00.000-06:00

Good morning Bangkok! Starting the day with a beautiful view from the balcony!

Checking out the sharks at the ocean world

My cousins croc/ gator that lives on the balcony

I make it my mission to torment this thing as much as possible

I wonder if its super smart with a frontal lobe the size of mars...??

Like uncle, like niece?

I adventured South to Pattaya to see an Elephant farm and take my first wild ride on one of the beasts

Baby Elephant

Daawwwwwwwww

Riding an elephant- checking things off my bucket list one by one!

The classic Thai smile

Showdown: Man with bananas vs beast

I was seriously obsessed with this little guy! SO DANG CUTE!

Say cheese

Got a monkey on my back!

I made a new friend. He took a liking to me and stayed on my shoulder for a while...

Yak

Pattaya beach (2 hours South of Bangkok)

And finishing the day with some of the artifacts found around the house!

Great couple days and I didn't even get burnt! SCORE!

Kel

Bangkok, Thailand

2011-04-09T17:47:00.000-06:00

Sawatdee Kaa!

Last Friday I was given a month off of physio, Saturday I booked a flight and Monday I flew out of Canada en route to Thailand. An opportunity presented itself for me to come and visit my long lost uncle Bill at his home in Bangkok and it was just too great to pass up. It was completely on a whim and last minute, but life is meant for living!

So here I am broken leg and all, enjoying my time off living the high life in Bangkok. I am continuing my therapy here and taking this time to heal my body, mind and spirit.

Bangkok is super cool!

Here I am out for an adventure on the Chao Phraya river, where there are water taxis and boats galore. We went for a walk down to the famed Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the Canal

Meet Oreo, Bills dog!

Drinking "Thaijitos" at the Bamboo Bar chez Oriental hotel. Probably the best drink ever! Lemongrass and Lime mixed to perfection

The city itself is hot, busy, packed and polluted. Which is not all that surprising considering half of the population of Canada lives here! But it's rich in culture and so much to see!

So we made our way to the Chatuchak weekend Market which was summed up in a word- epic! It's one of the biggest markets in the world and by far the craziest I have ever seen! There were thousands of shops inside this square of chaos.

You can buy anything and everything you could possibly ever think of here. Not a word of a lie. From animals to home furnishings to ivory to clothing to beads to food to this gigantic solid gold and ruby monstrosity of a ring... I'll save it for the next time I go...

Or maybe I'll get this one...

Fresh coconut milk that was incredibly refreshing

Street food for days!

Maggots and the animal section

Exotic birds, puppies, squirrels, crocodiles, ferrets and some endangered species... Anything goes!

Aquariums with live coral in them.. Pretty sure thats illegal...

Mmmm fresh cooked food right beside the animal section... I think I'll pass thank you!

Other than enjoying exploring markets I've been taking advantage of the cheap Thai massages, incredible food, sitting by the pool and relaxing!

Ciao for now

Kelly

Kelly Coffee Fund

2011-04-04T22:04:00.000-06:00

Spending time at the Communitea Cafe in Canmore today with Joel P!

A perfect Monday activity: Coffee and chatter with friends

I want to take this time to thank everyone who donated to the coffee fund that Elli set up for me after I got injured! Like I've said before, the overwhelming kindness I have received has been truly heartwarming and tremendous! So thank you to all!

Kelly

Baby trashes bar

2011-04-03T20:55:00.002-06:00

I think this gets more hilarious each time I watch it... And thats been for about a month. So great!

3 months

2011-03-30T20:04:00.000-06:00

I had my 3 month x-rays completed today and unfortunately they showed very little bone growth. So looks like I'll be rehabbing for a few extra months.

The amount of trauma to the area, severity of the injury and 4 1/2 weeks of bed rest didn't do a whole lot for my bone growth! It's a little slow to heal, but not that big of a surprise considering the amount of bone pain I've been having. It's really not the greatest of news, but thats the way of it.

On the other hand, pictures!

Celebrating my birthday with my sister!

Newsflash Calgary: It's the end of March. Freezing rain is no longer acceptable!

At least it's pretty

I spend my days at physio. My record so far is 9-5, it's a full time job!

Kent working on Jen's flexion and the Game ready ice machine, the greatest icing tool since... well since Donjoy the iceman?

Hey Kent, I'm pretty sure thats not how you use a lat pulldown machine

LP-H gettin' the work done!

Leg pressing, ya thats a PLATE and 20lbs a side. I out leg pressed Manny No.Big.Deal (kind of a big deal..)

Johnny K!

Kelly VanderBeek J-walking like its her job!

This my friends has made my life a whole lot better. The fish game on the rowing machine. I get to work out and play games. What more could a girl ask for?

This is new: LUNGING!

Then today I went x-c skiing, first day back on my skis!

My mom ripping the stadium at the Nordic Centre

A happy Kelly to be shuffling outdoors

I may still have a what looks to be a very broken leg, but thats just a minor detail

In other news, I've been writing for the ACA website all week, here's a link to one of my articles

http://canski.org/mcbroom-a-look-inside-the-house-of-pain

Patience, patience, patience

Kelly

R.I.P Dufus

2011-03-29T23:55:00.003-06:00

Today marks the passing of an old friend. It's with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my absolutely ridiculous dog Cody

Cody (a.k.a Dufus)

Your favourite place was at the Lake

You were a good dog. You joined our family and forever entertained us with your vigour for life and were a constant source of entertainment.

You were hilarious and would chew stuffies for days! And sometimes get fragments of eyes stuck in your teeth...

You were by my side through my lowest of lows and always knew when I was in pain through two rehabs. Never straying far from my side when I couldn't move from my bed.

You were horrible to travel with, but we still loved you anyways

You would sporadically get stuck in the weirdest of places... Fall down the stairs.. Trip over everything in your path.. And had an unusually long tongue..

Yet, through it all you still came out on top

And loved to swim in circles chasing your bubbles, barking your foul head off for hours at a time.

You were always the hottest dog in Canmore...

You especially loved to skate

And demand attention, even after you lost 5 teeth from chasing rocks...

Cody you had a stroke 7 years ago and kept trucking as if nothing ever happened. You embraced your disability and were an inspiration to us all, bummed left leg and all. I sure can take a page out of your book Dufus. Remembering the good times

Love you Cody, I hope you can find endless lakes to jump into, bubbles to chase, stuffies to shred and rocks to chew in your other life.

We miss you already

GMC Canadian Championships

2011-03-27T19:32:00.001-06:00

I went and watched the Super G and Super combined at Nakiska today. The Canadian Championships are well underway all this week! Should be exciting

Jan Hudec, a beacon of light banking his "cool-ness" factor for later in life. We decided that he will live off of the interest of his cool factor alone

Tess Davies and I

Course crew doing an amazing job getting this run ready in the warm-ish weather

Hugues and Frank hard at work, as always! I think Frank's probably thinking about lunch here...

Sean Alexander taking gate keeping to a new level

Coach Frank

Jan Hudec shredding the flats

Robert Rousselle

Hey Maryse, hows the knee? And WHAT is in that coffee cup woman?

Britt Janyk!

coaches, typical

Girls! So nice to be around my team again. Back where I belong

Tim has a talent for making pictures extremely awkward...

Mitch and I! Matching hats

Hugues and his daughter. CUTE

Jan, why aren't you out skiing? He was everywhere, jumping in on photoshoots galore!

Can't say I miss this right now.. Putting boots BACK on after lunch. The worst!

The next Lange girl add!

Jenny and Britt

Kate Ryley and I

Good luck this week! Wish I were racing, but I have a thousand mini squats to attend to.

Kelly: professional rehabber, OUT!

Fast and Female

2011-03-13T18:47:00.003-06:00

GLITTER Fest!

We had an empowering day up at the Nordic Centre today and helped out with Chandra Crawford's Fast and Female organization. Anna and I acted as ambassadors for the event working on the downhill side of things!

It was a beautiful day, with some sunny skies and finally some warm weather for the girls to try a bunch of activities including cheering hard for Cross Country skiers racing their national championships. Canmore has exploded for the week with racers and embraced it's true ski town flare by grooming main street and turning it into a ski area.

Is that Kate Brennan wearing GLITTER???!!!

Girls getting artsy and decorating their group poster before hitting the trails for the ski event

Team photo time! Everyone say "Fast and Female" or better yet "GLITTER"

Anna and I in Kate's glasses reflection at the top of the downhill station! We got the girls jumping and ripping down the hills through the terrain park. Challenging their fears and making it fun in the process!

Mallory herding the girls at the end of the morning and getting them up and ready for lunch followed by an inspirational speech, yoga and Zumba dancing. No Zumba for me though

Glitter for days!

What a great event. It's nice to see so many young girls excited about sport and having fun!!

Winter in the Rockies- Backyard paradise

2011-03-06T17:20:00.004-07:00

Beautiful winter day here in Canmore, Anna came up to visit so we went for a drive up the Spray lakes to show the splendour that is winter in the rockies!

Meet Mufasa

A happy Kelly-bear in her natural habitat outside in the snow instead of slaying on the couch!

That was a nice diversion, now it's back to mini squats, balance, biking, rowing and every other riveting exercise that encompasses rehab

Ben.crane.ben.crane.ben.crane

2011-03-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

The sledge hammer and snake shaker

Funny!

I'm speaking to you as we speak from the now in the middle of the now

The outtakes are as funny as the actual video

Yep, that just happened. These and watching Mantracker, Man vs Food and Hoarders while in physio. Quality.

Over the hump

2011-03-01T21:57:00.001-07:00

Positive: pale skin tends to scar less

Hooray for my pale complexion!

2 months in and I can safely say that the worst is now behind me.

Injuries are interesting because each one is unique, you never quite know how the body will react to a surgery. Sometimes the littlest of injuries can be career ending and a struggle, while the opposite is true where an individual miraculously recovers from some monstrosity that was at first glance a write-off. Although each recovery is extremely different there almost always exists a "hump" where some activity, movement or moment is pivotal and defines the remainder of the recovery. Once passed the hump the recovery process seems to steadily increase in speed and proceed smoothly.

When I was recovering from my knee injury, this moment was when I could bike again comfortably after close to 6 months. This time around with the vast differences between my injuries, I have hit the hump much sooner. Acutely, this injury has been harder than my knee, but in the longterm it will be easier since I won't be dealing with the lasting effects of ligament damage. Once the bone is healed, it's healed, which really keeps me going because I know that this will still be my better leg. Not my better looking leg, but better functionally.

I am biking comfortably, my graft is healed and I'm walking which are all major positives. I am steadily improving and seeing changes daily with my basic movements and amount of activity that I'm able to do. Also positive!

See a trend?

Positive energy and infallible optimism is how I get through life and in my eyes, it's the only way to tackle adversity. There's no sense in dwelling on the negatives and feeling sorry for myself because the fact of the matter is that I can't change what has happened to me. It's not like I can go to sleep and wake up magically healed, that's not how it works. So I stay positive with the belief that everything will turn out alright. For if I didn't I wouldn't be able to push through the painful process that is recovery.

Welcome to Kent's "physio palace" where Anna flinches in anticipation of the painful and effective treatment that is Kent's mantra of "pain is weakness leaving the body"

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that over the past 2 years...

Louis's biking after getting his ACL done

The Game Ready

Hello Hollywood, typical.

Jen Saunders is unfortunately joining team rehab

Mantra of the week: Pain is just the French word for bread

Stay positive, stay classy
Kelly

Recovery Train

2011-02-15T21:46:00.005-07:00

Greetings from the corner of recovery and physio, population: ME

Kate Brennan and I are on the recovery train, are you?

I have now been singing the tune of recovery for 6 weeks. My first few weeks at home were filled with a lot of emotional and physical pain while I settled in to life and began the recovery process afresh.

I spent the vast majority of my time laying in bed or on the couch in a well drugged comatose fog. Keeping my leg always in an elevated position and bed rest, that was the key. There was nothing to do but wait and let my skin graft heal. I could only tolerate having my leg down for a few minutes at a time before I would either be in too much pain or completely exhausted from the exertion of crutching to the bathroom.

All in all I spent 4 weeks on bed rest letting my brain recover from the anesthetics and skin graft heal. I then spent another week on top of that pretty much house bound due to risk of infection.

After spending 2 weeks in a posterior slab cast with my ankle at 90 degrees in a flexed position, once I was removed from the cast I immediately developed foot drop. The fasciotomy has left me with extreme weakness of my shin muscles and thus no control of my foot. So when I pick it up, my foot drops into a beautifully uncontrolled point.

This has been issue number one on the agenda: get rid of that! Issue number two: nerve pain.

Over the past few years I have pushed through a lot of pain, but nothing prepared me for the agony that is nerve pain. It was complete and utter hell. If anyone reading this has ever experienced it, you will know what I am talking about.

It was the feeling of pins and needles, random shoots of pain down my shin and through my foot, hot one second, then cold the next. I also felt like my foot had been frozen and then shoved into a hot tub to thaw and experienced crazy temperature sensitivity. I could feel anytime anyone walked into the room and the sensitivity to touch, don't get me started. This was all bad, but the worst part was that it was a constant pulsing buzz 24 hours a day. It never ceased.

I didn't sleep for a week and hardly ate it was so bad. The narcotics I was on did nothing for it, so I toughed it out until I switched to something stronger. A nerve targeted medication which causes word aphasia and dizziness. Hence the lack of updates from Kelly!

But thats under control now. I am working hard on physio and taking it one step at a time, quite literally, as I'm weight bearing with crutches. I'm also starting to wean off the drugs and return to a state of normalcy where I can at least hold a conversation!

Healing foods, slow cooked oatmeal and fresh berries for breakfast

At least my chair has a beautiful view! Mountains inspire me

Earrings! I've been busy and creative

The Exogen bone stimulating machine, easiest part of my day

Along with the sexiest in newest fashions, an anti embolic stocking worn day and night to prevent blood clots, I wear that and get shots in my belly daily! Good times

Jess Cockney's first Snuggie experience. I think it was love at first sight, their chemistry was off the charts!

So many friends have stopped by to keep me company! Joel and Tess have spent many hours slaying

At physio, my leg has crazy colours due to lack of circulation

Lynne Richardson is simply the greatest, so is Rocky Mountain Rehab!

No hands!

My knee scar and one of many acupuncture points

Acupuncture has great benefits and stimulates healing!

Happy point found in the middle of the forehead, my favourite! So Zen

Letting the Chi flow and taking it one day at a time

Kel

Chinese New years- 2011 reboot

2011-02-03T23:23:00.006-07:00

As I have said before, 2011 did not start the way I wanted it to. Lucky for me I have the opportunity for a fresh start and new beginning.

When I crashed I knew immediately my leg was broken. There's no mistaking the crack before I even hit the ground. At that moment the first thing to go through my mind was "are you kidding me?" (Laced with some other choice words) before I completely lost it. From that moment on it was a whirlwind of compounding events that rapidly turned what was already bad to much worse.

Breaking my leg was one thing, and I did it well. I had a clean and dreamy break with little to no extra fractures, just a nice cut across the tibia and fibula. My first surgery went really well and everyone seemed extremely positive of the outcome.

If only I had known then what horrors fate had in store for me.

Of the 200 tib/fib fractures the hospital in Zell am See deals with a year, 3-4 develop compartment syndrome. Thats under a 2% chance, or in a more positive light: 98% of people manage to evade the dreaded syndrome. I am at a higher risk because I am short, muscly and my mom had chronic compartment syndrome. Leaving me pre-disposed and the prime candidate for the lottery you don't want to win.

2%, seems absurd doesn't it? All I can do now is laugh, it's simply ridiculous.

Ok so, what happened?

After the 1st surgery, within hours (simply put) too much pressure and fluid built up in my muscles. I knew by about 2am when I lost feeling in my foot and was screaming at the nurse to take off my cast that something was not right. By 6am after hours of no pain medication or sleep, changing casts 4 times to try and relieve the pressure, countless meetings conducted in a foreign language, constant poking, prodding and needles; it was decided that I would be cut open and undergo an emergency fasciotomy.

All I was told was "ok, we do a fasciotomy now, you are a brave girl" next thing I knew I was signing papers with tears in my eyes, not a familiar face in sight and only the slightest idea of what was about to happen to me. I have never felt so alone or scared.

From there they cut me open, and in one slice managed to release 2 compartments in my leg. Then in my 3rd surgery they tried to close the wound, but were unsuccessful. Which led me to the 4th surgery 4 days later where they closed the incision and took a skin graft from my quad.

I just remember laying in my hospital bed while the reality of my situation set in and wondering; could this get any worse? The bad luck seemed never ending and January 2011 rivals one of the worst months of my life. But at the end of the day, it could easily be so much worse. The prognosis is that I will make a full recovery and my left leg will still be my better leg, and I am very thankful that it wasn't my head. I am also thankful that they caught my compartments early before my muscles and nerves were damaged.

Which is why this year, January was a complete write off. As of today I'm starting fresh and celebrating Chinese New Years. It's a new year with new opportunities and time to put it all behind me.

Here are a few pictures from the past little while

My house is filled with flowers from many wonderful people!

Dressing change last week (week 2) healing is happening

The red rectangle is my skin graft donor site

Week 3 and it looks better! The body is an amazing thing!

My healing bracelet, it's a frog with its tongue out. I got this soon after my last accident and it helped me stay strong and keep a sense of humour throughout my previous rehab and will continue to keep me smiling through this one

The Cosmic Wolf puzzle that mysteriously arrived in the mail for me... But from who?

My kindle, Book of AWESOME (which also arrived in the mail for me!) And my gopher extendable arm reacher!

Just slaying it in my new camo snuggie!!!

To slay: half sit, half lay

Happy New Years,

Here's to health, positive thinking, slaying and healing

Kelly

Success

2011-01-26T08:59:00.002-07:00

success |səkˈses|
nounthe accomplishment of an aim or purpose
Meriam Webster Dictionary

More often than not success is measured by the number of results, good grades and podiums one has. Society nowadays puts so much pressure on competing against each other and living out "the American dream." Where who you are as a person is determined by prefixes, money, grades, papers, trophies and medals.

The act of being successful has essentially become a number, which doesn't seem right. Whatever happened to being the best you can be?

Success by definition is immeasurable. What may seem like success to one doesn't necessarily equate success to another. It's so easy to lose yourself, (I do it too, believe me) in what may be deemed the "material"aspect of success and life in general. It's also easy to believe that you aren't successful because you have been made to think that you're not. When in reality, you are.

Having experienced being injured and on the sidelines for 2 years, I have gained a lot of perspective into the true meaning of the word. Success is doing what you love. Success is living the life you choose. Success is getting out of bed in the morning. Success is overcoming obstacles. Success is dealing with adversity. Success is achieving goals. Success is whatever you believe it to be.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what number you have beside your name and what prefix you have. What matters most is taking pride in your accomplishments and personal triumphs and finding the joy in life.

Skiing again was an accomplishment in itself. But having comeback and raced again, in my books was a colossal success. A success that no one can ever take away from me. In this case, this was an enormous personal triumph and something I worked hard for. I think the joy shows in my reaction at the finish.

Today I start physio and begin my journey by taking the next step to success.

Kelly

My worst nightmare

2011-01-24T19:47:00.002-07:00

I just went through this. And I can't believe I have to go through it again.

How is it that one minute you're on top of the world, on top of your game, thinking you're unstoppable. The next, you're on the ground screaming for help, feeling the searing pain of the injury and the rush of a thousand heartbreaks?

Throughout the past 3 weeks I have gone over it endlessly in my head. What happened? What did I do wrong? How did this happen? What could I have changed? How did I end up here?

Again?

It still amazes me how fast it changes and how quickly life can take a turn for the worse. Especially when it took me so long to get back and I wasn't even at the top yet. That's what hurts the most. I just went through this. It's such a slap in the face. I worked so hard. For what? One month of racing? To have to endure all of this pain? Pain that I hoped to never, ever have to feel again in my life?

There's no other way to describe what happened besides that it was my absolute worst nightmare. Everything that could go wrong, did. It really was some dark and twisted form of luck. I keep going over the accident time and time again in my head. I was so comfortable on my skis. The day before was the first day that I actually felt comfortable on my Super G skis since my catastrophic knee injury I put to rest exactly (to the day) one month before. I remember thinking to myself, "ya, ok my knees sore. But I'm not scared." A feeling I had been craving for so many months. I was back, finally, and starting to ski well.

I came into this season with one goal, and one goal only: to be healthy.

I have never made it through a complete season and I made changes to ensure that this trend would stop. Well, obviously that didn't work out for me. I am so frustrated because I did everything I could to prevent this. I had every aspect covered. I was physically strong, technically sound and worked really hard on my mental strength. I really, truly, did everything I could.

Thinking about it just makes me want to scream. While on the other hand, I did everything right and put my heart and soul into my last recovery, I have no regrets. Which leaves me speechless, heartbroken, frustrated and lost.

I never wanted to write a rehab sequel, but looks like the universe has different plans for me. For some reason, I need to be a stronger person. I truly believe that all of this is happening for a reason, what reason that is?

Only time will tell.

On a different note... Here's a picture of Kelly VanderBeek and I, the two Kelly's rehabbing together. Kelly underwent knee surgery on the same knee she blew last year to try and help the recovery process.

Travis Dawson, Kelly and I at the Banff hospital today after seeing the docs for post-op check ups.

We all had surgery on the same day and are all re-starting this recovery process together, in different places. Trav, having blown his second knee got an ACL reconstruction. Kelly got an ACL/ MCL reconstruction and I got some new skin (to put it mildly.)

So far so good, and I have been cleared to start weight bearing, moving and showering! Oh happy day!

House of crazies, Kelly speaking

2011-01-21T07:20:00.001-07:00

"Well it was just a dream, just a moment ago
I was up so high looking down at the sky,
don't let me fall"

Don't let me fall ~ B.o.B

Ya well. I fell. Hard.

No, I didn't just fall, I crashed and burned and was butchered, like a piece of meat, by an escapee from the asylum of amateur hacksawing convicts. Then seared and sizzled and barbecued. Now I am am left in the cold. Watching helplessly while my meat jumps ship, to turn into a sinewy piece of jerky with marks that make it look like the barbecuer was in fact a 12 year old.

I can't sleep. I can hardly eat. I'm fighting jet lag, extreme nerve pain and bed rest.

Hey nerve pain, Kelly called. She wants her sleep back.

Hmmm... Sleep deprivation... Not my greatest look....

Krankenhaus Zell Am See

2011-01-19T08:52:00.001-07:00

I am now home after 2 LONG days of travel. Filled with lots of transfers, wheelchair rides, elevators, miming to people that no, I can't walk through the 500m tunnel in Frankfurt etc etc. But I made it.

And whats the first thing I do when I get home? I fell down the stairs. A mixture of complete exhaustion, the emotions of being home, medications and pain made for a mixture unsuitable for me to make it up the stairs... so I fell down them. Don't worry, I'm ok. Shaken, but ok. Just another fall to add to the collection.

As promised, here are some pictures of my 13 day stay in Austria's finest hotel and some documentation of my escape.

Krankenhaus Zell am See

Meet Paul, my friend. We match.

The beautiful flowers the Terwiels sent me to brighten my otherwise dark and decrepit room

Team doctor Duncan Jacks and surgeon who put me back together Dr Thioni

I left my room and wheeled down the hall

At least it was pretty...

This picture pretty much sums up my time in the hospital. Lots of visitors, phone calls, and time staring at my mobile (decorated thingie on top of my head) and playing with the handle.

I had visitors a plenty, here's the time when Dave and Stef came to say hi.

The medical team. They warmed to me and my off beat sense of humour. Took a while. I think the turning point was the time they walked in on morning rounds to find me wearing a fake moustache (courtesy of Pam.) We couldn't really communicate, language barrier you know. But we made do.

Miss you Pam

Mom, I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there to look after me

My roommate Beatrix and the yodelling flamingo, wearing a tie at this point...

Dave came to pick me up and help me in my escape

"Kelly, you're leaving!"

Read between the lines Krankenhaus

Note the ski as my leg propper upper.

Wow. These pictures almost make it look like I had fun in the hospital. Well, I didn't. Honestly I don't know how I was smiling.

I want to thank everyone for stopping by and saying hi, phoning me, or sending me emails and messages. Your kindness is beyond words. At a time like this when I'm so gutted its nice to know that I have so many people supporting me.

There is so much I want to say, and so many stories to write. But they will have to wait. I have the attention span of a pea.

Much love

Kelly

A day with the Canadian Ski Team

2011-01-18T20:09:00.002-07:00

Wishing I were there, doing sweet things instead of sitting at home on my couch. Video made by Anna!

Skin graft

2011-01-16T01:58:00.000-07:00

It's like they first took a hacksaw to my leg and then had spiderman throw up all over it

I almost threw up the first time I saw this and it still gives me shivers to think that this is now part of my body. I can feel it at all times, even through a lot of pain medication. It's not very comfortable having this on top of a broken leg right underneath the scars.

I'll write more about my 13 day hospital stay once I am home.

An ode to Morphine

2011-01-15T05:51:00.001-07:00

An ode to Morphine

Oh the times we had sitting in my gown

playing 'bed goes up, bed goes down.'

We adventured together staring at the wall

Remember that time we wheeled down the hall?

The things we saw while in my self proclaimed hell...

Do yodelling flamingoes ring a bell?

You made me feel warm and fuzzy inside

and all the colours collide.

Not to mention fluent in German

at one point I thought I was Herman.

You made me think I was funny

and the Sauerkraut taste like honey.

The pain flees in your wake

A little drop is all it takes.

You numbed me to the core

and kept me in bed when I made a break for the door.

Oh how I longed to dance, run, ski and twirl

I dreamt of gliding down a zebrafied run

Waiting for the

3.....2.........1.......

Squirrel

Captains log 0800 hours: Day 12 of my captivity and they have taken away my drugs... The blasted men in white. Planning my escape soon.

I've been in a Krankenhaus WAY too long

Flying home Monday!

Kelly

2010- year of the kneehab

2011-01-13T14:48:00.003-07:00

Well 2011 hasn't started the way I wanted it to...

But 2010, now that was a pretty good year considering the circumstances. I figure since I'm in the hospital and have nothing better to do, I might as well do an epic blog. I mean why not?

2009 was an extremely tough year filled with a lot of pain and suffering from my serious knee injury, it was the year of the Snuggie but was also the year of recovery, rehab, healing and struggle to blindly push into the unknown.

I've been handed a pretty rough hand of cards these past few years and you know, from time to time life can be very unfair and rough. But I believe that everything happens for a reason and I also truly believe that life is meant to be lived and this is exactly what I did last year.

2010

A year of new beginnings, discovery, rebuild and comeback. It was a year of achieving goals and personal triumphs. The year of the kneehab, working day in and day out to return to skiing, training, the team and eventually racing. Building confidence and re-training. It really was a year of rebuilding.

Here's a recap

January, I started the year with skiing! Skiing with my parents and getting comfortable on my skis again. I spent the month freeskiing at all of the local hills and ripping around. Falling in love all over again with a sport that I almost lost.

Beautiful Canmore and my beautiful dog, Cody

February I found myself cross country skiing, mountain biking, and skiing with Helmut Spiegl (my rehab coach) and dryland training completing a full strength program training 3 times a day.

Training in Panorama, Nakiska and Norquay. Skiing as much as possible and training with whatever team was around and would let me run their course! It was fun

Then I went to the Olympics and cheered, hard.

After that I found myself in Disneyland for a little mental break from training with my friend Jaelyn, that was AWESOME. I love Disneyland.

Pate and I went on a sweet road trip to Rossland for some downhill and cross country skiing. It was epic.

In April I found myself in Osoyoos for some road biking, wine tasting and hula hooping with some wicked friends Cindy, Jesse, Amanda and Mallory.

And then I went to Maui and windsurfed, relaxed, chilled out, and burned with Elli, Ali and my parents

Above: Windsurfing, one of my favourite past times when healthy and not skiing!

Below: Ali, Elli and I looking honey bronzed and desirable in Maui

In May I rejoined the team! We trained in Calgary and learned how to box

Climbed some mountains, trained, trained, and trained some more

Mountain biked, lots. Even carried bikes with Liz (my sister) and Dave (her boyfriend)

Road tripped out to Whistler to train for a while, did some downhilling with Mp and Britt, this road trip can be described only in one word. Epic.

Kayaked around when my knee was angry with me. It's therapeutic

Went to Montreal for a training camp and chilled in Tremblant

Canadian Ski Team What? Believe it, we're tough.

Spent some time in the back country with Ali backpacking

Had a celebratory burning of the bib and race suit that I was wearing when I blew my knee. That felt good.

Have I ever told you that I started #13? Lucky 13, like I've said before the stars aligned to create the perfect storm which led to the shredding of my knee.

It was a year when I got to dance again, here I am with my teacher and greatest mentor Sandra

Hung around with the greatest of friends Ali, Jesse and Elli

I spent August and the beginning of September in New Zealand

With an amazing team

Had stellar dance parties

Sang Karaoke

Went skydiving

Saw the most amazing sunrises

Danced and jumped in the sunsets

Road tripped around in a van with Elli, Eve and 50lbs of pasta

Had miles of smiles

Saw one of the wonders of the world

Slept through an earthquake

Ended up in Austria for a training camp

Had some crazy photo shoots

Made some turns

Searched for Ludicrous speed

Found out that I'm short...

And require help with my frozen boots...

Had more photo shoots, trained some more and got swagg

And then to finish the year on a good note, I started racing again!

My first race in 2 years being Lake Louise World Cup Downhill, which also so happened to be my first downhill in 2 years and my first ever world cup!

Achieving a goal that was at one time in jeopardy, my ability to race again. Putting an end to my 22 month recovery. And also achieving a life long goal of participating in a world cup race.

An achievement that not even a broken leg can take away from me.

Too soon? Yes. Much too soon.

2010 a year of hard work, determination, patience, adventures, road trips, and most of all fun.

Thank you 2010, it truly was an epic splash of adventure!

Kelly

Goodbye season, hello broken leg

2011-01-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sound familiar?

I honestly cannot believe I am writing this, again. I hoped that I would never, ever have to write a post of this nature again. Especially not after what I went through with my last injury.

Until now the reality of my situation hasn't set in, and I haven't put what has happened to paper. To be real, I don't know if I have the strength to do it. But I know in my heart that I have to. The healing has to start sometime and it might as well be now. So here it goes.

I broke my left leg training Super G in Saalbach Austria. I had what seemed to be very clean tib/ fib boot top break. After a helicopter evacuation (and some sweet drugs) they operated immediately putting a rod and pins in my leg to stabilize the bones. All was looking good, well as good as could be. Until all went wrong.

With this type of injury there is always the scare of developing compartment syndrome, it's rare, but happens. Needless to say I was one of the lucky ones, and developed compartment syndrome. So after experiencing excruciating pain in the middle of the night and countless meetings (all in German) they decided my only option was to be cut open to relieve the pressure.

I have now been in hospital for 8 days and have had 4 surgeries. They were able to close the wound via skin graft.

Now, when I say wound what I really mean is a 28cm long and in parts 9 cm wide incision where they cut me open from ankle to knee, relieving 2 compartments in the process.

Here's a picture, its a little graphic I know... But it will show more than I can explain

So thats a vacuum dressing over top of the open wound which sucked out the excess swelling and fluids from my leg preparing it for the skin graft

My face... I know, you don't have to say it. I look good.

The team came to visit me, that was nice. Somehow I couldn't feel the pain while they were here.

I wheeled to the end of the hall, it was nice to see the sun and leave my bed. My leg can't go below 90 degrees so I'm pretty much bed ridden.

The plan for me from here is another 4 days of bed rest and then I can begin to think about flying home next Monday. My mom flew out immediately and has been at my side throughout this process which has been a huge help.

I want to thank everyone for their unbelievable support over the last week, it has truly been overwhelming.

Obviously at this point I am extremely devastated, and there really are no words to describe how I feel. Thankfully the worst is over and the surgeries are done.

Now I'm into the part I'm good at: REHAB

Can't believe I'm back here

Kelly

p.s I'm sorry if this post doesn't make sense, being put under 4 times in one week messes with ones brain...

Miele Cup

2010-12-24T15:59:00.001-07:00

A couple pictures courtesy of Danny Lange

Shredding on the flats at Nakiska during the Miele Cup Monday and Tuesday.

I grabbed a double win stepping to the top of the podium for the first time since 2008 and also finishing my first gs races in 2 years! Positive steps in the right direction

Merry Christmas everyone!

Kelly

Kicking Horse Detour

2010-12-18T14:06:00.002-07:00

After the Panorama Gs Elli and I took our sweet time leaving and prolonged our adventure to Canmore by taking advantage of our day off with a sweet detour to Kicking Horse!!!

Ellis mom was up for the adventure too, so we piled into our cars and got to the hill for the crack of noon club... I mean, why not??

It's not often we have the opportunity to go and free ski, so whenever I get the chance I jump at it. I absolutely LOVE free skiing, although I must say race boots and free ride all mountain skis = an interesting combination!

Not going to lie, my high speed quads felt like water soaked logs! Feel the BURN!!!

Can you say legs-o-steel?

The Golden area is beautiful and STEEP!

The skiing was great, a little cruddy and skied out from the pow a couple days ago, but we're resourceful and found some sweet lines!

And I say it again "all smiles on the ski hill"

Just another day at the office...

I swear I fall in love with skiing again and again every single day

I had so much fun yesterday I made a movie about it...

A hiatus from racing, sometimes you just have to ski!

The saga continues

One more race at Nakiska this week and then it's time for Christmas break!

Catch ya on the slopes

Kelly

Panorama livin'

2010-12-15T17:51:00.005-07:00

Heres a picture from Lake Louise courtesy of Malcolm Carmichael

I call this the "Oh sh$*, I'm going real fast" look. It's no match to blue steel, but I won't try and steal Zoolanders thunder. I'll work on it.

A few shots from Pano... Let me warn you that I use the term "few" lightly!!

We've done 2 SG's and now we're moving into tech for a few days. I had a good couple days finishing off with a podium 3rd and 5th place. The conditions have been softer than Lake Louise (although thats not hard!) Let's be real, Lake Louise was aggressively ICY!

Back on the podium, felt good.

Pam's turning more and more Canadian every day, while I get more and more British. Get this, I said "advert" yesterday and use "cat suit" more and more each week. Whats next??

Pam and I chillin like villains, trying to get internet and failing miserably...

Lake Louise podium

More podium shots, this ones from Panorama

Look what the cat dragged in. Erik Read chilling after the Gs

Elli graced us with her presence during the Super G's while she prepared from the Slalom and GS. Not to mention that she's rocking her "Kamloops Spirit scarf" and fancy new haircut. Ya, that collars popped.

Maddy Irwin (in the purple) on the junior podium. Atta girl!

Vik Stevens and I

Panorama in all its glory

Pam and I didn't race the Slalom, so we went free skiing! Look at those beauties

"I love not wearing a downhill suit!" Is what she's for sure thinking right now...

"It's more fun when you put your hands in the air"

And yes, I got chairlift grease on my nice pearly white jacket... Who gave me a white jacket anyways?

Look at those angles

This my friends is what I call pressuring the top of the turn.. I do it on occasion, but need to work on it in an actual course. Turns out the "power slide" just isn't fast...

Hey look coaches, take note; I CAN pressure the top of the turn! Who knew?

Awww Pammy

All smiles on the ski hill

Elli won!!!! What an accomplishment. Congratulations ELLI and Maddie (who was 2nd)

Can I have your autograph?

Elli and her mom sharing the moment we all strive day in day out for. Gives me shivers just thinking about how hard she has worked. I feel like a proud mother, so incredibly happy for my friend!

Js, Georgia and Pam

Beautiful Terwiel family

Dustin Cook also ripped, showing he's in top form winning his first NORAM Gs race! Congrats Dustin.

Looking forward to the Gs tomorrow!

Kelly

Team Commonwealth

2010-12-11T14:52:00.001-07:00

I'm in Panorama now after the Norams in Lake Louise, preparing for more Norams this week! The week went well for me finishing with two 4th place finishes!

The races were tight and I was a little frustrated that I didn't ski fast enough to get myself onto the podium, but hey, at least I was close!

I cannot possibly think about blogging anymore without paying attention where attention is due.

As many of you will know Chemmy Alcott ("team commonwealth" member, our new nick name) suffered a bad crash in the 3rd and final training run of Lake Louise, rendering her out for the season with a broken leg. Chemmy, we miss you already, you're such a positive influence and fantastic addition to the team. I really don't know what we're going to do without you. Who's going to be our social convener?

I wish Chemmy all the best in her recovery and am sending healing vibes her way!

On that note,

Last weekend we went and visited her in the hospital. Now I have to tell you something about Chemmy. Even though she was in the hospital and for sure as low as can be, she was still watching the World cups on the little tiny tv in the corner of her room and as positive as can be. A true testament to her already vivacious and exuberant demeanour. GO CHEMMY!!

She got the full meal deal. Maddy blow drying her hair, Vik feeding her and Pam painting her nails. We also bedazzled her crutches! Spoiled much?

Team commonwealth smiles! Keep positive Chemmy

Here are some pictures from the World Cup courtesy of Jesse Winter

All smiles in the finish

Aliiii!!!!!

My supporters!!! Wooohooooo

Thanks to everyone who came out to cheer me on!

I will post more pictures as I get them

Kelly

FIRST RACE, FIRST WORLD CUP

2010-12-03T22:21:00.002-07:00

22 months

22 months = 96 weeks = 670 days = 16 071 hours = the amount of time that I have spent on the sidelines recovering from injury. But who's been counting?

ME. I've been counting.

Today I accomplished 2 goals. One goal, I set for myself when I was a little girl; to participate in a World Cup. The other goal wasn't necessarily something I set for myself, but due to unforeseen circumstances it was a goal I was forced to set after a series of unfortunate events; to race again.

The latter of the two goals is something that I have been working towards every day for almost 2 years. Of course, at first after my accident I had very different goals. Basic movements like walking, biking and eventually skiing were all milestones in the recovery process. But this, this was different.

If you had told me almost 2 years ago, even a year ago at this time, that I would be racing World Cup downhill December 3, 2010, I'm not so sure I would have believed you. Yes, I dreamt that I would someday race again, but did I truly believe that it would actually happen? Hard to say. Every part of this recovery has been an unknown. Skiing again was pivotal, but having the guts, gumption and courage to send it full gas down an icy pitch going 125 km/h? Well that was the "X" factor.

Honestly, for the longest time I sprinted headfirst into an unknown oblivion shrouded with pain, self doubt, frustration and uncertainty. Searching and grasping in vain for something concrete to hold on to. At times I felt as if I were drowning and the only thing keeping me from falling deeper and deeper into the dark abyss, was the faintest flicker of the internal flame that was hope, belief, passion, love and desire to return. Return to what? That was the unknown. But I didn't care, I just knew I had to keep pushing. Pushing for what? Didn't matter. Don't think, just go.

Now that I look back, it was less of a decision to return to ski racing, more like something I just had to do. I didn't have the choice, it was mandatory. Kind of like in school when you're assigned something that you don't necessarily want to do, but have to if you want to succeed. I didn't want to injure myself in the first place, I'm not a sadist, but I had to follow through with the rehab, I just had to.

Recovery has been an extremely long process. Nothing has happened quickly and there have been no big giant leaps, just steady improvement and some set backs.

"Two steps forward, one step back "

Thats been the way of it, and will continue to be the way of it for, well, forever. Nothing happens overnight, it takes dedication, persistency, patience and a little stubbornness to attain any goal in life.

This will be the last time I write about my injury. It's done and as a very inspirational leader (Rafiki from the Lion King) once said "It's all in the past." And as of today, it truly is all in the past. I am closing this chapter of the Book of Kelly with feelings of relief, pride and most of all, happiness.

This has been an extremely emotional day and I am so happy it's not even funny. I did it. I finally did it. I may not have skied to my potential, or skied as fast as I would have liked, but that wasn't what was important today. It was a start, everyone has to start somewhere and it can only get better from here.

Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day.

I finish by saying thank you for your support to anyone who has helped me along the way. Your words of encouragement have meant more than you will ever know.

On to the next goals!

Yours truly,

Kelly

Nakiska pre-season

2010-11-26T12:50:00.004-07:00

Nakiska pre-season training!

New boots

2010-11-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

I am very happy to announce that I now ski on DALBELLO

I have joined the likes of free skiing legends Tanner Hall and Marcus Eder on this fantastic boot company, me of course, being in the race department!

This is a brand new boot that is still being developed and I am working closely with the team of developers to get everything dialled in and ready to go.

I am loving this new boot and the way it performs. I am very excited to be part of this great team and look forward to an exciting season of racing!

Consensus:

2010-11-24T13:09:00.001-07:00

Should I dye my hair pink and cut it short?

Annas picture from the "I GOT SWAGG" photo shoot, much more where that came from

go to http://www.teamigotswagg.com/

and http://www.annagoody.ca

to see more pictures

Ok but in all seriousness, we're almost done here in Nakiska.

The camp has been really fantastic besides the - a million over the past few days and the surplus of snow, resulting in cancelled days. But we've made the best of whatever time we've had on hill and gotten a lot of good things out of this final push before the season kicks off next week in Lake Louise!

Trying to stay warm... failing miserably

Check out this tape job

I think I'll use my spidey senses on the hill with the spider tech tape. At least it looks intense!

A bit of a sporadic post... I think I frostbit my brain cells and left them on the hill, along with my toes

Kelly

Happy to have Georgia, Pam and Steph back with us this camp

Nakiska pre season

2010-11-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Nakiska pre season..... This is what happens

I must say, I had a very productive bike ride this afternoon!

Enjoy
Kelly

Wall of inspiration and a slack line

2010-11-16T17:18:00.001-07:00

WALL OF INSPIRATION!!

We're racing soon! Time to get amped. So we crafted.

The wall I look at from the foot of my bed...

Inspiring, right?!! Maybe only to us... To each his own I guess

Mp's collage

My inspiring collage. I love arts and crafts hour!

"Working on our game faces

So we can be fast like hot pink road runner on ghetto skis..."

Nakiska's getting more and more snow everyday

Well on the runs that are skiable at least!

Look at the colours, uploading on the chair in the morning

Chemmy in the morning with the beautiful sunrise

Georgia Simmerling getting physio

Slacklining

Steph Irwin brought a slack line and it snowed too much here today so training was cancelled, so we did the next best thing and worked on our slacklining skills.

Steph is a pro!

I'm not very good.... yet!

Goal for the rest of the camp besides being totally inspired by the wall of inspiration and skiing really really fast, is to get better at the slack line!

Looks like we should be able to get back onto the hill tomorrow and pick up where we left off with some fantastic SG training.

Kelly

Bulldog core exercises

2010-11-14T10:33:00.002-07:00

Maybe I should add this to my list of core exercises. SO CUTE!!!!

New Gear

2010-11-12T21:45:00.003-07:00

It's that time of year again!

We got our new team paraphernalia and amazing new shoes so MP and I decided to model them for you

Ya, we're cool like that. Loving the new gear

BOOM

I got Swagg! MP's sweet creations

Smiling with my eyes.. Tyra would be proud!

K

Juicin' the skis

2010-11-12T18:43:00.001-07:00

No comment needed. This is amazing!!!

Nakiska pre-season

2010-11-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

Smiles on the hill

Mpp and I downloading on the chair wearing our new puffy jackets and hats!

We started our pre season training here at Nakiska today with the snow guns going full boar. Nothing like a little dermabrasion to start the day!

The skiing was great and it felt awesome to get back onto the skis and get going again. We're into the last push before starting to race at the end of the month! Hard to believe isn't it? Where has the summer gone? Last I checked it was +20 in Canmore last week...

Nakiska has done a fantastic job getting everything ready for us with the recent warm weather. A BIG thank you heading out to them!

I think this is the one and only time in the year that I actually want to have cold temperatures.

So I say this:

Come on cold! Lets get this show on the road.

I may even go so far and say that we may need to do a

Snoooowwwwww dannnceeeeeeee

Mp and I will be wearing our new spiffy dancing shoes!

Yep, we designed them ourselves.. Can you tell?

Thinking cold thoughts and doing a snow dance in my ridiculous shoes to the sounds of

~Get Some- Lykke Li

Check it

Kelly