Fun Skate Was, Well, Really Fun!

Several of the RDRDA skaters have been helping out to turn an old arena into the RDRDA Rollerdome. Although I wasn't there for every night of the renovations, I do feel like I was there as much as I could be to help get regular practice start as soon as possible. The work that everyone did is unbelievable! The floor couldn't be cleaner and smoother. Good job everyone!!

I finally got to take my skates and cruise on the track! Up until tonight I had only my small linoleum floor to skate on. I didn't get to go very fast in the confined spaces around my house... although I did get lots of practice maneuvering and stopping! The cement floor downstairs was a little more like the one at the Rollerdome, but it's often strewed with toys, books, and storage items.

Putting on all my gear for the first time at the arena, I felt a surge of energy run through me. I was excited and scared... I was scared that the confidence I felt on my lino floors at home would turn into a sticky mess on the arena floor. I knew my wheels were great on the lino, but what about cement? Turns out it is pretty different. Skating out there for the first time I felt slow and a little awkward. I was lucky enough to have Scourge Her (the other Trina) skate at the same pace as me and keep me company as I learned my new skates. She is another fellow freshie. She will be benchmarking with me at the end of October.

After a while, I really started getting the feel of my skates... I started going faster, and faster. The only downside to that was that I wasn't perfectly comfortable on them for about 15 minutes, and there were a lot of people on the track. It was a fun skate, so they were also putting out obstacles, jumping mats, and a ball! At first I was scared of the ball (with or without the new skates), but I got brave and kicked it a few times. I also zig-zaged around the obstacles (I had to go around every second one, but I did it). Once there were fewer people on the track, I decided to get some practice on my lap speed. Now, this depends on several things... first, I wasn't sure yet if I could do a proper crossover in my new skates, hell, I wasn't sure I could do a proper crossover at all... second, my skates felt really sticky and slow, I thought I might just move the wrong way and have my wheel stick in an awkward position (this possibly means a big fall if at a high speed)... third, there were still about 8 people on the track to maneuver around at a high speed. Lets not forget, I'm a freshie (inexperienced). All this being said... I didn't fall once!

I met some new people tonight. Everyone seems really willing to accept me as a new skater. I have to say, they have made me feel very welcome! All of them. I got wowed by a few little ladies (and gents)... honestly, these girls (and guys) are amazing! Some I have already met... Mortu Mary, Nomad, and Ginger... and some I just met tonight... Bert, Gigi, Bitch Slap, and TyeDie (hope I spelled that right). I'm sorry if I forgot anyone that thinks they should be on the list... it's been a long day.