On April 25, 2013;  I spent 9+ hours on a table; undergoing the first of what was to become a number of surgeries, to repair the damage I had done to myself, in the Army.

As such, I use this date to take inventory of how far I've come over the previous 12-months, and set my physical goals for the year to come. 

It has helped me, to continuously surpass and crush the origional surgeons expectations.

However, this year, I am back at Zero, having undergone another surgery to extend the fusion from 2013, just 17-days ago; and this time, I have a completely different view of my goals and milestones.

Perhaps I have become wiser with age, or more risk adverse as I run out of room to fuse, or it's the fact that I am getting kind of tired of waking up in Post OP Units.

Regardless, my goals have become less egocentric, and more family and community oriented.

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I did not reach a single Personal goal from my 2018-19 list; and in fact, lost significant ground.  My physical limitations continued to challenge me.  Then I slipped and fell on a wet floor, in September, which sidelined me for the next 7-Months, resulting in the surgical extension of the origional fusion from 2013.

This past year, was the most challenging & downright depressing, I can remember.

I continued to experience trouble after physical exertion all summer; something that we all chalked up, to me getting older, as well, as the possibly that my back was as good as it would get.  But I also couldn't ride a bike last summer, as the peddling motion was causing pain in my back.

In 2017-18, I had spent over 8 months in physical therapy; unable to resolve the toe drop on the right foot, and unable to build power in my legs, despite a lot of riding following the knee surgery in May 2017.

In 2018-19; I spent all but 3-weeks in Physical Therapy. 

The first 6-Months were spent, continuing to work on mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance regarding my back; and trying to keep that right shoulder as mobile as possible, having pushed back the surgery; due to the arrival of our Isadora Doris early last June, and my desire to be able to hold my newborn baby girl, only to fall 3 months later.

I spent the 2nd half of the year; in PT, on pills and bouncing between surgeons, until the extension to my fusion was finally completed, on April 8; just 17-days ago. 

This time, the surgery was only about an hour, and I was in the hospital for less than 36 hours, door to door; so I saved my goals for today, instead of back on the 8th, because that one felt like a rough rugby tournament.  The surgery in 2013, felt like I had been hit by a truck.

Sadly, the fall in September halted all forward progress; and has just about, set me back to where I was on this day, in 2013.....

The big difference, is that I have a 17 day head start this time; and the surgeons technique was so different; that I feel months ahead of where I was in 2013.
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My goals for 2018-19 were to;

(-) Keep the right shoulder healthy enough to make it through the ski season....which I was doing OK with, until I slipped and fell in September.

(+)  Participate as an assistant coach for the kids sports.  I was able to do a little helping, in the spring, and our family has made so many new friends because of the kids soccer, that I have to call this one of the high note of the last year.

(-)  Maintain an active enrollment in at least 1 league, series, or fitness class at all times:  I got to play in the Red Fox League...and that is all for 2018-19.

(-)  I swore off PSIA at the end of 2017-18; after being struck by examiner roulette.  But was planning to pursue alternate Certifications.  But I was only able to make 6-Runs, all season, throwing that plan out the window.

(-)  I wanted 75+ Days of dynamic skiing in 2018-19.  I made 6 Runs.

(-)  Summit Trip up Washington, at least 2 days above Hojo's, and the Friday Night Lights series.  I didn't get a single run off piste, or hit any of these milestones.

(-)  After timing the Inferno, and seeing the Best Sapper & Best Ranger competitions online, I decided that, I wanted to complete in more adventure events in 2018/19.  I was going to do the Believe in Books, Mud Run again, but I fell before it.

(+)  At least 1, short, ski trip, with the kids so they can see other resorts.  We spent 1-day at a "New Resort"; the rest of the family learned Nordic... and as a result, we have changed our direction in skiing, as a family.

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Thus, my goals for 2019-2020 are;

-  Get the right shoulder surgery, as soon as possible.  I will be headed back to the Alpine Clinic and Littleton for this.  

-  My summer is limited to the back rehab, until August, I have been told "Don't Be Dumb"; and we all know me.  If I am already limited, let's get the shoulder fixed, while I am already on my 4th point of contact, and maybe the additional pain, will keep me from "Being Dumb" and reinjuring either or both.

-  Help Coach Kelly & Coach Scott for the fall season of soccer this year. (Travel may still be limited.)  Maybe be able to play some indoor footsol next winter; and join an alumni team?

-  Get 75+ days of sliding on snow, with family, friends or their kids, total strangers, I don't care; I want to SKI FOR FUN!  I am up for laps in the back country, lift runs at Black, Nordic Meisters at Great Glen, Friday Night Lights, or training laps around Jackson.

-  Knock out the last module of PSIA L3-Alpine Teaching Exam, PSIA-Nordic L1, and AIAIRE-1 next year.

-  I will make every Thursday of ESSC, for the JBES kids at Attitash this year; and I am offering free clinics to the volunteers, every Thursday morning we have ESSC (I am sure that Nate & Harold, will be ok with it.)

-  Participate in every event for Azimuth after my fusion calcifies and I am allowed to play again.

-  Run 1-Mile, by Kennett High School's Home Coming event.

-  Chase around a bunch of the vertical challenge races with our family and friends next winter.