So first of all lets pretend I didn't fail at writing more
blog posts for my trip to Austria. Whoops. I decided earlier this morning that
I would make a new years resolution to post more, then I realized that doing
that was just another form of procrastination because I would start posting
more in January. Well I am making a resolution to post more now. Take that
procrastination. Ha. The topic of this post was going to be about racing this
past weekend, but I was slow. Really slow. So luckily my bud Bode gave me
something to write about. Now don't think that I didn't find Ted’s run
incredibly impressive, but there is a soft spot in my heart for Mr. Miller.
Bode.
Picture
little 4’ 10” 75 lb me sitting on the floor of my parents bedroom in NY long
before I had ever ski raced. I was a freshman in high school and pretty darn
impressionable. I still remember sitting on the salmon pink wall to wall
carpeting watching Bode’s face on 60 minutes flash across the archaic 32 inch
boob tube nestled in the built-in shelving of my parent’s bed room. I was completely
mystified by the man on the screen. The iconoclast in front of me was breaking
all boundaries, kicking ass and taking names. Honestly that's when I knew I
wanted to race. To me Mr. Miller was a true underdog defeating the odds. I
spent the following days closing the sliding door to the homework room, off the
kitchen, so that I could pretend I was a ski racer being interviewed on 60
minutes in peace. I kid you not. I had dreams about ski racing. I knew what I wanted.
And I wanted it badly. I did countless hours of research on both Bode Miller
and sport. By the time the Olympics started, that winter I knew more about the
rules and athletes competing than many seasoned veteran fans. The obsession had
begun.
As time
went on and I entered the sport many controversies about Bode and his lifestyle
ensued. I never wavered. To this day I hold Bode in the highest regard. Not
because of his lifestyle, but because of his grit and strength of mind. The only
role model I have ever encountered who has had an even stronger affect on me is
my father, and I can tell you, nobody will ever top his unwavering wonderful
influence on me. So when I was driving back from Stratton yesterday, evening as
my copilot and teammate refreshed the Beaver Creek results, I had a smile
stretched from ear to ear. To say I was happy could not be a bigger
understatement. So here’s to you Bode. A 30 second dance party in your honor.
#bodeisback faster than ever.
