Kozzie's Korner: Bad weather can be a blessing in disguise

By Published On: November 21st, 2005Comments Off on Kozzie's Korner: Bad weather can be a blessing in disguise

Kozzie’s Korner: Bad weather can be a blessing in disguiseThere is just no sport like skiing, is there? It is a sport of ever-changing components.

Think about it. With every hundredth of a second, the conditions and the surroundings change. I was trying to explain this the other day to someone, when I truly realized how much skiers, as athletes, have to adapt. It is no wonder ski racers are such good athletes.

Take track and field for instance. Yes, the weather can change on any given day, but can you imagine if the surface they ran on changed with every step? Or if in baseball they changed the distance of the bases and the size of the field at every venue, kind of like a course changing for us? Seriously, skiing is a pretty amazing sport. I don’t know why I am trying to convince you though; you guys already know that, don’t you?

We have been in Colorado this past week, dealing with exactly what I am talking about. It has been snowing for the past six days – fabulous for the Colorado ski resorts, but challenging for training. Even with the soft conditions and the continuous flat light, we have been able to accomplish a lot. It hasn’t been my favorite conditions, but sometimes those days can turn out to be the best training. You know those days when you can’t see very well and the conditions make you a little nervous? As long as it is safe to train, those can be some of the most productive training sessions.

I mean, if I had my choice, I would have it be perfect snow and sunshine every day, but somehow I don’t think I would be as successful. It is so important to ski in every condition possible, even the ones you hate. To face your fears and conquer them is always worth it. Trust me, I am talking to myself just as much as I am to you.

There are mornings when I struggle to get motivated to get out there and train when I know the snow will be difficult and the light will be flat. But when the skies clear and you finally get that sunny day with the perfect snow, it is the most amazing feeling. Plus, nine times out of 10, your skiing will have improved. You feel like you could do anything! And isn’t that what it is all about, confidence? Sometimes it takes a couple days of feeling a little nervous and not so comfortable to bring you to that next level of confidence.

So try it. Push your limits a little. It will make you feel alive, and at the end of the day, you will have added another rung of confidence to your ladder.

Kristina Koznick, who has won six World Cup races, will keep her journal here all year. To read more athlete journals, or to hear industry insiders in their own words, click here. Contact Kristina Koznick at TeamKoznick@aol.com.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh