Problem:
Every year I spend three out of six days riding in agony. The pain is mostly confined to the bruising around my ankles as a result of an unadulterated battering from my Burtons which slows me down and leaves me infuriated…
I’ve done two seasons in these boots and yet they always hurt like hell every subsequent year. I think maybe they’re getting their own back for not being used as much as they used to – either that or they’re telling me not to be so tight, let them retire and buy another pair.
It’s not just the bruising either - my toes cramp up for a couple of days, forcing me to hold up anyone I’m riding with (not without their own problems let me assure you) as I un-strap and bring my delicate little tootsies out into the icy mountain air, as my boyfriend (if I’m lucky) or I, vigorously rub them back to life so I can carry on racing around.
But just as my feet get used to my boots, my upper body starts to whimper, shoulders and back becoming stiff as hell, not used to hours and hours of strange and unfamiliar movements.
Every year this happens - and as my sacred week approaches once more, I’m left racking my brain as to whether I can do anything to prevent this inevitable pain.
Answer:
Yoga, pilates or both are the obvious pain preventers, as being all limbo-ed up and strengthening your core to the max, will mean your body is more on guard when taking the strain of snowboarding all day every-day and could prevent potential injury.
But I’m not certain that all this pain can be entirely warded off by these alternative practices - as whenever your body uses muscles it hasn’t used in a bloody long time they’re going to rebel – and if your yoga/pilates workouts don’t work those muscles in the way they’re used on the hill, then you’re screwed anyway? Besides, yoga – as far as I know, doesn’t prevent bruising.
I have been pondering over whether to wear my boots around the house, possibly even attempt a few lunges in them. But again, surely this isn’t substantial preparation for when I get on the mountain for real and they start strangling my poor ankles, all day long.
Conclusion:
So, save for going down the gym in my boots, I’ve decided that I may as well sit around and just write about it, because it’s going to hurt whatever I do and I’ll just have to grin and bear it.
Either that or I move back to the mountains and never face this annual pain ever again.
