Come to think of it, I’m really not sure how I was talked into trying this new sport called “splitboarding.” It was one of those “when in Rome” things that just sort of snowballed. We moved to Colorado, it snows in Colorado, everyone in Colorado skis, I snowboard, let’s get a snowboard that splits into skis. Come at me, [snow.]
So, last year we had a couple of extra bones to spare coupled with an Oprah-aha moment and I soon found myself signed up for an Avalanche Level I course with the Colorado Mountain School because I’m a (nerdy) girl that likes to be FULLY aware of the risks so that I can make my own decisions. And I want experts to teach me those risks. I’m That Girl on a plane that will turn to you and say, “Just so you know, the possibility of a plane crash does exists in which case we will most likely die. However, statistically, flying is safer than driving and it cuts your travel time in half!! These are cool seatbelts.” I said that once to my sister before a 13 hours flight to Guam. She started bawling. The flight attendant was, like, “Oh honey! Can I get you some water?”
At Colorado Mountain School, we were guided and taught by Senior Guide Mike Soucy (I like to think that’s pronounced “SAUCE-EE.”) And that class was, like, “Just so you know, the possiblity of an avalance does exist in which case you will most likely die if someone doesn’t find you in 15 minutes. However, we will show you ways to minimize your risk by analyzing snow packs and reading avalanche terrain. We will also show you how to shovel efficiently to cut down your rescue shoveling time. These are cool transceivers.” In other words, they were speaking my language!
Flash forward a year and I now find myself not only snowboarding more but also learning a new (although somewhat similar) sport and the long-winded point I’m trying to make here is… I see where incorporating functional movements into my workouts is paying off! You know those “@$$ to grass” movements like squats – they are most helpful when you fall and need to get back up on skis.
And though my fall-get-back-up splitboarding movements aren’t exactly like my CrossFit movements, the similarities are indeed uncanny.
Lunges:
Squats:
Pistols! (Oh, and before I get comments like “I can tell you didn’t shave your legs in this photo,” let me beat you to the punch and say, “The 15 minutes I’ve saved by no longer shaving my legs every time I shower has allowed me extra time to practice my pistols so things even out. And, also, Honey Badger don’t care.” Don’t be like this douchebag.)
But the most functional movement of all? Dancing. As someone who CrossFits, I will say there is a pervasive “too-elite-for-a-90-minute-Zumba-session” mentality. Like my stepmom used to say, “Girl, don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.” Don’t be an Elitist. Try Zumba. And if there aren’t any classes near you, try the next best thing: Dance Central on XBox Kinect. If you can score over 550,000 points with 80% accuracy on level Medium of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” then you are my idol and I am way too competitive when it comes to this game!!
Seriously, though, I’m shamelessly admitting I rearrange my livingroom on my days off so that I can play Dance Central.
But, above all, just have fun with fitness. And get outside and try something new – it’s refreshing, even if you do fall 100 times learning the technique. <– Been there, done that, no regrets!! You’d be surprised how much skill transfer there is from your workouts to your sports.
And on that note, I’m packing my board and my Zumba moves for a quickie Steamboat trip tomorrow. They got 24″ of snow last night. I’m about to get drunk off Champagne Powder.
-j
