When we moved back to Austin it required a shift of mindset.
A remembering of Ooh yes, summer is when we bring movement indoors unlike our time in the East Bay.
In the summers since we’ve resumed being Texans we’ve discovered lots of free, creative activities (indoor obstacle courses, duct tape hopscotch grids etc.) but eventually even I concluded it was time to pry open the wallet.
Trampoline parks. Indoor water parks. Bowling. Indoor mini-golf. Rock walls.
During the heat of the past few months, however, I was compelled to admit I was out of ideas.
I was forced to face the fact the roller rink was our final option.
The Child had been begging. I’d been avoiding. I’m wholly, utterly and completely uncoordinated.
Even 35 years ago, when I was a weekly fixture my local rink, I barely rocked the basics.
No tricks.
No fancy backward gliding while simultaneously googly-eyed during couples skate.
Forward momentum only.
The skating years: an awkward yet highly confident phase.
My lack of skills isn’t simply skating specifically, either. I’m generally NOT athletic.
I’m so wobbly during sporty endeavors the Child may identify me as her safe person yet even she knows not to turn to me for (literal) support in athletic situations or we will both (most likely literally) go down.
I’m OK with that. My self-definition does NOT include the word athlete. Life is my sport.
I was not OK enough with it, however, to choose to remain on the sidelines when we went to the roller rink.
I was terrified.
I joked (more truth said in jest alert!) how I feared I’d break a hip.
skates on. terror remains.
I did it.
I didn’t lace up & skate for *her* (she mostly resembled the image below)–I did it for me.
I tumbled (once). I boogied (twice). I laughed (full-on underwater tea party laugh). I wasn’t very good.
I fell in love.
I fell in love because I hadn’t felt so proud of myself in a long, long time.
4 reasons roller skating is my new favorite:
- I’m terrible. The Child can clearly see see how not good I am. It provides me opportunity to practice what I long to preach with regards to trying new things: It doesn’t matter if we aren’t great at something when we’re having fun. Maybe we will improve. Maybe we won’t. Enjoy without attachment to the outcome.
- It’s my running…or so I hope. I’ve always been jealous of the fact runners can just throw open the front the door and GO! Sure, I currently do the same with walking, I’ve just longed to shake it up for a while. My ‘hood is hilly, but I’ve mapped out a flatter course and hope, once the heat breaks, my skills will be ready!
pair purchased for home use!
- I’m Tootie! #wycwyc is not only something I promote it’s my way of life. Say what you will about aging–the huge bonus to our second lives is the fact we get to make the rules. In my house there’s absolutely no rule against skating on the hardwood. It’s air-conditioned perfection and I’ve officially deemed myself the Tootie Ramsey of Texas.
- It’s good for me. Spoiler alert: this is not my motivation. Skating is great cardio. Skating is gentle to the joints. Skating is a fab lower body workout. My love of the skate goes far deeper than those facts, but those facts exist
if you care.
my local rink wants me to care.
- It’s moving meditation. I wish I possessed words to convey how powerful this facet of skating is. Walking works, yet the more I breath-walk the more easily Ive become distracted by my surroundings. The sheer movement of skating is meditative to me and I imagine this gift of relaxation will only increase as my wobbling decreases.
And really?
That’s it.
No ‘blogger call to action.’ No question of the day.
All me, my skates and a profound wish I had ‘Oprah money’ as then you’d all suddenly possess sneaker skates/experience their power too.
<3
Allie says
September 18, 2017 at 4:49 amI LOVE roller skating with the boys!!! My husband won’t do it (I think he’s scared!) but I love reliving all the memories I have, growing up going to the rink with my brother, friends and parents. We have a great rink here and, although the boys are still kind of learning, they love it too. Plus, it’s a perfect winter activity around here 🙂 And YES to Tootie!!! Give me some Facts of Life first thing in the morning mama – preach!
Bea says
September 18, 2017 at 4:50 amOMG THOSE SNEAKER SKATES!!!!!
Melissa says
September 18, 2017 at 5:51 amLack of balance? You can outheadstandthe best of them. Glad you found a new/old challenge.
Marcia says
September 18, 2017 at 6:24 amGo Tootie!!!! 😀
I love that you fell in love with roller skating.
cheryl says
September 18, 2017 at 7:11 amGrew up at my neighbor’s roller rink. We would have the whole place to ourselves on Sundays- blast the music and then get to eat ice cream sundaes. Great memories!
messymimi says
September 18, 2017 at 7:49 amWhile i’m not great, i am tolerable on skates (meaning i don’t fall often as long as no one pushes me). Bigger Girl is not very athletic and she has started training for roller derby and loves it.
Thinking back, every time i put on skates, i have fun, so maybe i do need to look into getting a pair.
Haralee says
September 18, 2017 at 8:55 amCool Skates Carla! I have always enjoyed rollerskating but indoors on a rink, too many pine cones and rocks for my taste outside. About 10 years ago we went to a wedding reception at the old and I mean old roller rink. It was a lot of fun and the bride looked like a moving cake topper across the floor!
Annmarie says
September 18, 2017 at 9:04 amYES to roller skating! My hubby actually has roller blades and takes them out from time to time! It’s such a great way to stay active.
Renee says
September 18, 2017 at 11:58 amBeen wanting to take the grands skating, but my fear of falling is so great! Like you I wasn’t that great before and now in my 60’s…well I have may things that can break…But now you have inspired me…
michelle combs says
September 18, 2017 at 4:25 pmI used to live for skating. I’d probably break a hip, now. sigh.
Beth Havey says
September 18, 2017 at 6:13 pmThis is so good for balance, which we start to lose as we age. Try standing on one leg with your eyes closed. That’s a fun one. Happy skating, Beth
angela @ happy fit mama says
September 18, 2017 at 8:18 pmI grew up spending lots of Saturday’s in the winter roller skating. IT was so fun! My fav pair of skates were white with pink and purple pom poms. I thought I was soooo cool! I don’t know if we have a roller rink around us but I need to find one asap to take my kids. And show my cool skills off. Lol!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
September 20, 2017 at 7:03 amWhen I was a kid, THE place to hang out was the “Just 4 Fun” roller rink. I can still picture everyone doing the hokey-pokey. You know, it’s still there!!!
Jason says
September 22, 2017 at 2:45 pmI loved skating as a child ! Few months back i tried roller blades turns out I’m horrible with them. Didn’t fracture myself though.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
September 22, 2017 at 3:23 pmAs a former roller derby girl, I fully support and LOVE this. 😉
Michele Morin says
September 23, 2017 at 5:16 amYour enthusiasm is contagious!
pescimoda says
September 29, 2017 at 5:03 amRoller skating is one of my favourite activity and normally i am doing after my university and nice article shared its very interesting and informative i really enjoyed it thanks for it.