Morning rolls around, skates are packed in the car, and I'm dressed to practice basic skating. I pull up to the ever shady roller rink building (why is it that all roller rinks have the same creepy vibe?!?) and wait for the starting time to enter. I'm a little nervous and really have no idea why, I've ice skated most of the winter and it hasn't been that long since I've been on quads. I step up, verify I am in the right place, and enter. As soon as I begin my approach, I realize that I am staring at the faces of people at least twice my age. Hmm....
I am quickly approached by friendly faces and kind smiles with tons of introductions and questions. I am assured I am in the right place and welcome to skate with them. Alright, I have no idea what I am in for, but I'm in! I lace up while having conversations with others around me. I recognize that many have their own personal skates - carrying case and all. Wow! What in the hell did I just get myself into?!?!
So it begins, an open skate. I, a little unsteadily, step out onto the floor. This sleekness is nothing to the icy glass from this winter, yet I manage to find my summer balance. Okay, off I go, and I am instantly passed by several skaters. I slow my pace to a crawl and take in the scene before me; the rink is well lit and clean with the impressions of roller hockey set up on the floor, Lawrence Welk era music plays from the modern speakers above my head, and the skaters are beautiful. They are there for different reasons and their clothes show it; some in ice skating regalia practicing for an upcoming dance skating competition, some in jeans and polos chatting with friends, and some in dressier clothes than I manage to put on for work. They all glide across the floor like butter in a hot pan.
I pick up my speed and try to regain my quad legs after a winter of exclusion. It isn't long before I am approached by the lady who heads this particular skate up. She reminds me of my posture and discusses a few techniques with me. Then, she is off in a fluid backwards motion. Next, comes one of the men I met when I entered. He reminds me to watch my knees and reiterates how to become better and has a conversation with me. Then, he's off with another regular that comes up next to me. Another friendly face approaches and introduces himself and discusses where and when else they skate and even shakes my hand while skating (I thought I might face plant on this one). I am feeling so amazing to be in this place that I haven't realized that I have been on the floor for almost half an hour at this point.
The next step in this amazing journey is to partake in some exercises and practice with those that lead this skate up. I'm game, lets try it! This wasn't as hard as I thought it might be, but it was awe inspiring to see these amazing people doing it. It was definitely worth the time and work out! I got the opportunity to speak with a woman in her eighties who has been doing this for 40 years and is continuing. She was amazing on the floor and with the exercises; I was more than impressed and loved speaking with her especially after I found out that she continued doing this even though she broke her hip. Next came the "called out round" where we skated and she gave us directions of the PA. About two motions in, I realize that I could learn a ton from these skaters and what a pleasure that would be. At the end was the one mile challenge that you could "race" or not... I choose the not version, I had already seen what the skaters were capable of! Proudly, I did finish more than the mile in the time allotted, and that was an accomplishment enough for me!
Finally, we were able to go back to an open skate, and I realized that we only had about twenty minutes left. I skated mostly on my own and just practiced what these amazing skaters pointed out to me as I went, I practiced some speed and some combinations that I realized I couldn't do on the "called out round". At the end a bit sweaty, I unlaced my skates, ecstatic that I had come and eager to come and do it again. Most importantly, I came out absolutely inspired. These men and women were amazing skaters, people, and age truly is nothing but a number.
If you find something you love, keep doing it! Don't let age or society tell you what is acceptable and what you should be doing, make your own rules.
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