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Sunday, February 14, 2010

Older and Wiser?


Today I was retelling an old tale that I thought maybe my blog readers might enjoy.

It happened last year around this time when the river that runs behind our farm became jammed with ice resulting in the river running over its banks in many places. One of the places that it ran over was in the back of our field which then froze and provided a nice little patch of ice to skate on (for a couple of days) before we eventually decided to make our own rink closer to the house (another tale that should be retold).

I used to figure skate. I started at about age 6 which is considered old to start and so my Olympic dreams where already about 3 years behind my peers when I started. Never the less I loved to skate and continued to do so in some capacity up until the point that I became pregnant with Little Bear.

When the ice rink formed in the back field I thought this was an excellent opportunity to strap on the ol' blades and revisit the sport I enjoyed for years (Papa Bear and I have some argument about whether or not it is actually a sport - we won't go there).

The first obstacle that I came across was that both pairs of skates that I own seem to have shrunk? No, that's not right but they sure as heck didn't fit well at all. Oh well I bucked up and tied them up anyway. No pain, no gain right? More like no pain, no blisters but either way I sucked it up. The second obstacle was that my skates had not been sharpened in over 6 years, also a problem but not enough to stop me.

It was a pretty shaky start but eventually it got a little easier and I felt pretty good skating around in circles and testing edges with ease. Stopping resulted in a few near falls but I felt great. So great that I thought what the heck lets try something bigger. I started with a few really simple jumps that didn't require much skill and when they were successfully executed I got a little cocky and decided to go BIGGER. That is where the trouble started.

It was a pretty basic jump (which I am not going to mention the name of because of how basic it is and so it would be that much more embarrassing). I entered the jump not too badly. Even the take off was not terrible but the landing, well the landing didn't really exist. Instead I ended up flat on my back staring up at the sky. I remember laying there and can clearly recall the fluffy white clouds floating in a blue-grey sky. I remember laying there unsure whether or not I was capable of getting up as my body reminded me I was not 18 anymore.

I remember laying there thinking: I hope nobody drove by at that particular time that I made my failed attempt. I have to get up but just not quite yet. If my mother in law looks out her kitchen window right now and sees me laying here like this she is going to panic and think that I am hurt (or possibly dead) and send someone out here. I have to get up.

So I gathered myself (and my dignity) and picked my poor aching body up off the cold ice and stood there for a second thinking about what an idiot I was for trying to launch my older, larger, wimpier body into the air. Was I nuts? Older and wiser? - I think not!

The rest of my skating for the rest of the winter kept both my feet on the ground (except when my butt was). I don't think I will be attempting anything that crazy again at least until I have removed some of the obstacles such as getting skates that fit better and that have nice sharp blades. For now I will have to settle for watching others hurl themselves into skating jumps on TV from the safety of my couch.

22 comments:

JessS said...

Yeah, I know the feeling. Strapped on my skates a few years ago and expected to waltz around the rink (like I was a teenager again). Was a little off balance! Skates are back in the basement, safely stored away from my feet.

Linzi said...

I have been terrified of skating ever since I was in 3rd grade and on a field trip to the local ice rink, my friend managed to slice her shin up with the blade. Ick! That coupled with the fact that I tend to trip and fall even when walking on solid ground pretty much keeps me off the ice. lol
You are a brave soul and I admire you!
I'm stopping over from The Secret is in The Sauce to welcome you to the SITSahood! Thank you for sharing your fun story!

Stefanie Wolfaardt said...

I totally know this feeling. I started playing ice-hocky at one of our local clubs about 9 years ago, and really had a tough time staying on my feet.

Good luck with sorting out the skates, and let us know when you start again

~ stopping by from SITS to welcome you to SISTahood

Small Burst said...

I applaud you for going out there! How cool that you had the opportunity to skate behind your farmhouse! I'm a city girl so this to me is amazing in itself. Welcome to SITS! Would love to hear your make a rink closer to your house.

Queenie Jeannie said...

Getting older is sometimes the pits, huh? But hey...you tried, right?? Get yourself some new skates and keep at it. It's wonderful exercise and fun and you can recapture that youthful spark. GO FOR IT!!

Stopping by from SITS!

Kristi said...

LoL. This happened to me not too long ago. Took my child to a skating party & decided to try it myself. The next day I couldn't walk because my ankles were so sore. Welcome to SITS!

Anonymous said...

I have never been on a pair of ice skates. I think I'd like to keep it that way. Heck, I can't even roller skate.

I'm stopping by from SITS. Welcome to the group.

Rachel Cotterill said...

I just love the idea of seeing someone doing figure skating jumps in their garden / field. What a fabulous idea - even if it didn't work out perfectly for you ;)

Dropping in from SITS to welcome you to our community :)

Carma Sez said...

You are very brave for attempting any jumps after all that time. I watched the Olympics every night with my son for the past 2 weeks and he has now inquired about ice skating, so I will need to dig out the 'ole skates too in prep for this weekend :D

Welcome to SITS! We're glad you joined :-)

thatgirlblogs said...

Stopping by from SITS -- I live in CA and these wobbly ankles would never attempt such a move! Kudos.

Robyn | Add a Pinch said...

I have to admit, I am a TERRIBLE ice skater. Always have been. I admire your even trying! :)

I'm stopping by from SITS to welcome you to the community!

The Grasshoppa:Triplets Plus Two Momma said...

Was it a sow cow? I have to know!

I used to roller skate competitively---that was the name of our basic jump---which there is no way in heck that I could do that---even on the carpet right now!!!

It's fun to relive the past sometimes, though!

Besides, the blades were dull, afterall.

Welcome to SITS. Glad to you have you join our community of bloggers.

Annie said...

Hi, stopping from SITS. I wish one day I learn to skate, looks like fun.

Have a nice week.

Ann On and On... said...

How cool. Not the falling and almost breaking your neck part, but that you were a skater.

Welcome to SITS. Skate on over and check out my great giveaway. (Hint: free sunglasses.)

The Insatiable Host said...

well at least you tried to put the skates back on...there's no harm in that!

what a great site you have here too!!! I love Pink and Black..

hope you keep well and Im just stoppin by from SITS to welcome you to the SITSta hood!!

Danon

Shell said...

At least you tried! I'm a big chicken...or maybe klutz is a better word for it. I fall walking on a sidewalk that is a little icy.

I have 3 boys, too- it's like some crazy club that we're in. Someone asked me tonight how I handle it and I just raised my wine glass to them.

Stopping in to welcome you to SITS.

Unknown said...

I, for one, am proud of you for trying. There is no reason NOT to try, right? The worst that can happen is you fall and maybe hurt yourself but you can say..."I got that jump off perfectly"
Welcome to SITS!!

said...

Hi Stacey! I'm stopping by from The Secret is in the Sauce to say welcome to the community - we're glad you joined us!

Sandy said...

I have never strapped on a pair of ice skates and I guess I should not try now. I'm too old to be taking the inevitable falls that would be the result.

Welcome to SITS! It's great to have you in the SITStahood!

erica said...

Um... your little jump is about a bajillion tmes higher than I could jump!

Welcome from SITS!

Unknown said...

Isn't it fun doing something you loved when growing up! I absolutely adore reading stories like that to bring me back to childhood.

Even if it hurt a little and maybe got some bumps and bruises -- at least you TRIED to jump... you never know what you can accomplish without taking that first step!

Stopping by from SITS -- welcome to the community! Blessings!

Mimi said...

I'd be lucky to be standing for 10 minutes, much less jumping!

I'm just stopping by from SITS to say hello & welcome!