It's March 15th. SBX World Cup Finals begin tomorrow morning in Valmalenco, Italy, my favorite Venue. I am currently 4th in World Cup standings, but sitting on my couch in Park City accumulating 0 points as I miss the last two races of the year.

I tore my Achilles tendon 15 days ago. 16 days ago I was looking forward to free riding and collecting some prize money in Italy I so desperately need. So much for that. It is going to be rehab and 12 oz curls for this guy. Maybe a sweet desk job if I can find one.

Yesterday, I was talking to another injured athlete. This particular skier has had four knee operations. She said there is something appealing about a real job because one would not have to risk their health and still get paid. I disagree.

There is nothing appealing about a real job. Was what I did worth tearing my Achilles? The snowboarding and experiences are worth it. How I ruptured it, well it was stupid... it always is. I am sure the repetitive beating my body takes probably has something to do with a degeneration of my Achilles followed by a 2 foot air to surgery.

I am lucky to do what I do, very lucky. If I go broke (again) snowboarding, so be it. I just want to know that I give it everything I have when I compete and soon enough, going broke over and over again, getting injured and whatever else will probably make me have a comfortable living... not installing water heaters either.

For those of you who are reading this that race: Give it everything you have. It's better to blow up in the fence then get passed or beat by someone because you backed off.

Go fast, take chances