Second Chance

As the days went by after that try-outs without a peep from the RRR vets,  I was beginning to think I definitely did not make it.   I sort of expected that because I knew I effed it up by falling and injuring myself at the tryouts.  I did not complete the stations.  I was an idiot for not practicing skating PRIOR to the try-outs.   Word of advice to the future fresh meats:  If you haven't skated in years, find the nearest skating rink pronto and PRACTICE skating before you participate in try-outs.  Trust me....practice! Get yourself acquainted with the quad wheels again.  It is not like riding a bicycle so if anyone ever told you that, they lie sorta! ;) It takes time....your body may have changed over the years so the coordination may not be there from the right get go.  It takes time and patience, believe me.  If I ever received a chance to do it all over again, I would work on skating BEFORE the try-outs.  

Imagine my surprise the day I received an email from Yvonna Rumble.  The email stated there will be another try-outs this coming Saturday for those of us who were not able to complete the try-outs.  OMG! Seriously?!  This was it!  Another chance!  My excitement has quickly turned into the oh shit panicky feeling.  It has only been four days since the try-outs and my wrist was still banged up badly.  How was I able to do this with the injured wrist?  I was NOT going to pass up on this opportunity over a stupid bruised sprained arm.   Hell, there were two large purplish-black bruises on my forearm that I am still trying to figure out how they got there since I do not remember hitting my arm in that area.  My wrist was still swollen and a very pretty shade of purple, blue, and green.  Lovely.   Okay, enough with me crying over my boo-boo that has now completely recovered.  Onward to the day of second chance try-outs. 

On the way to R-way Skate Center, I've decided to stop at Dick's Sporting Goods to grab some wrist protectors.  It was difficult finding these items...I've spent a good amount of time searching everywhere in the damn store for the wrist protectors.  What the hell...why was it so hard to find these things? Yes, I did ask the store clerks numerous times and they all have directed me to the "Gears" section which consisted of nothing but soccer, football, basketball, and baseball gears.  Nope, not what I was looking for.  I finally found the holy grail, wrist protectors, by the bicycling and roller blade section.  Well, I should have looked in that section first, right?   Oh well.   Got my puny but good enough wrist protectors. At  least it was something to protect my wrists in case I fell again. 

Upon the arrival of the skate center, I saw Senorita Scarita and MALtreatment skating around the rink.  They looked so damn  amazing skating on the rink, so effortlessly with full of grace.  I got nervous...what if I fall again?  What if I injure my wrist even further?  What if I made a fool out of myself?  What ifs, buts, and hows were running through my head.   I froze then the realization hit me right there at the moment.  It was all in my head.  The "defeatist" attitude.   I needed to snap out of that mode and just do it. 

I just grabbed my rental skates and put them on. Put on the wrist protectors and skated/walked over to Senorita Scarita and MALtreatment to just get on with it.   My confidence was very shaken from all the falls I had. The "defeatist" attitude was fighting to overcome me.  Hell to the NO, I was not going to let that happen.  I have to say this though, Senorita Scarita and MALtreatment were such amazing motivators.  They were very patient yet firm.  Senorita Scarita with her "Take your time, girl, take your time", "Slow it down, take your time", and "You can do this!"  MALtreatment with her (imagine her tapping her fingers on her forehead)  "its all in your head, girl! its all in your head! you can do this!"  

I am very proud to say.....I have NOT fallen once that day. :)  Yes, I was wobbly.  Yes, I was slow.  Yes, I was shaky.  But I did it!   I learned the Plow Stop and T-Stop.  I learned the crossovers but that was kind of scary to do.  I think the thought of picking up the foot to do the crossover terrified me when I was just getting re-acquainted with the quad wheels again.   That is a different story to come. ;)   Yvonna Rumble later came to the try-outs as it was ending....she informed us of the orientation the very next day.   You mean, I got in?   Why yes, I did!  I do not think I would not have done it without Senorita Scarita and MALtreatment...so thank you! 

*edits may to come since this was written while being sick :P*

Upcoming entries....practices, "That Freshmeat", RRR's first bout of season, etc.  Stay tuned!