To Ski or not to Ski in Fernie, BC or Singing the Iliopsoas Muscle Blues

It is Jan. 27  2010 and I am out with Marquess and Craig on a ski week in Fernie, BC. Hoping for more snow but conditions are great and it is a cool Bluebird day. Here are a few simple pictures to share. First is Craig with one ski, the other is well above him in a tree he tried to jump through.

Next is an above the tree line view facing back at the Lizard Ridge. Finally a view of a skier and the town of Fernie and valley beyond.

So clearly the boys were skiing, and I am sad to say I am not. A nagging core injury has fired up my Iliopsoas muscle. This is positioned just in front of the hip joint and  is key to functional core stability. Mine is in constant pain and hence it is very hard for me to stabilize my trunk. I skied easy yesterday on groomers and took the day before that off. The day before that I did a 10 k skate ski on flatter ground. I am on the mend but to over do it could create a monster. I know, as that is how this injury got so bad in the first place. You see I over did a skate ski in late Dec. and will not be back for 4 or more weeks if I am lucky.

So “to ski or not to ski in Fernie, BC”   has been a real question this ski trip- one I never had to ask myself before. In my adult years of skiing and racing I never recall missing one let alone 2 days due to an injury. But this time I am sitting it out and practicing RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Selfishly, I am thankful that there is not 2 feet of fresh to go with the blue skies as I might not have the self control to sit a ski day like that out.

Welcome to the real world Louis.

PS Here is a Link to a helpful site if you want to learn more about dealing with this type of injury. Go to
http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/iliopsoas-tendonitis.php