Outdoor Ice-Skating, and a Brief History of My Life as an Ice Skater

Way back when this journey started, I made a list of about 20 things that I hoped to accomplish this year.  I won't even comment on how many of them I have actually finished so far (because it's a very low number), but the bonus is that some unexpected adventures have presented themselves... and that's fun and exciting!

On my original list, I included ice skating outside.  I envisioned more of the Penn's Landing, Rockefeller Center type of deal, but as luck would have it, an outdoor skating rink opened right in downtown Glassboro!  It took me quite a bit of time to strap on my ice skates, but before we get there, a brief history of Megan ice skating...

I can remember being pretty young and watching Olympic ice skating in my living room.  As I would watch the greats doing their thing, of course I would have to get up and "ice skate" around my living room, complete with "triple axels" and other unnamed (and unrecognizable) ice skating moves.  In my head, I moved with the grace of Kristi Yamaguchi, but I'm quite sure it was a different story in person.

Somewhere during my dance days (picture below, because I unfortunately have no embarassing ice skating photos), I decided it was time to be a figure skater, as well.  My mom, my cousin and my aunt and I all took ice skating lessons at the local rink.  It was short-lived since even then I had anxiety about new things, and at one point, I had to go late and had to go in with a different session of ice skating lessons... and yeah, that was the end of that.  (So yes, I have always been super brave.)

Just as "good" as an ice-skating outfit.  And quite possibly the most embarrassing photo ever.  Please enjoy.

As I look back on my ice skating days as an adult, I remember gliding around on the ice without falling.  It is true that I didn't fall.  But, my mom remembers that I never really got off the ground either, figuratively.  I never let myself fall, but I never really let myself fly either.  This is really no surprise if you consider that I didn't even walk until I was a year and a half old.  I have always been, and probably will always be a cautious person.  But, I'm working on it.

After my ice skating days, I really only ice skated one more time, in college.  It was more of the same.

As usual with my tiny adventures, I was really looking forward to this experience.  Skating outside just seems SO much cooler than skating inside.

 My ice skating buddies, lacing up for the big skate!

 Me and Michele, ever so excited

So, after "lacing" up our rentals, and a bit of complaining since I felt like the skates were pushing me forward, we headed out.

It seemed to come a bit easier for my buddies, but I probably shouldn't be surprised since they are much more adventurous people than I.  The great news is I didn't fall (as usual), but also as usual, it took me a bit to warm up, and there were plenty of uncomfortable moments where wee children flew by me as I clung to the side (mostly in pain at the awful skates).  Here are a few more shots of the day:

 Taking a break

 Taking a break again (haha)

 Michele and Jon- action shot!

 Scary choppy ice.... this is where it got dicey.

 Better this person than me...

Jon and Michele getting all crazy and doing spins!

I did learn a few things from my day of ice-skating.  First, I am not a graceful person.  And, that's okay.  It does discourage me from doing things like ice-skating, but it's a good thing to push past those barriers that I put on myself.  I'm not an easily embarassed person, but I tend to enjoy things less when I'm just not that good at them (which is also why learning guitar is going so badly....).  I DO enjoy when the adventure is over, though, and I have done something that pushes me a little bit and broadens my horizons.

Secondly, ice skating is great exercise... and at least for a little bit, it still feels like you're not exercising because you're thinking about other things- definitely a win.  Must remember this for next year.

Lastly, the children at the rink were SO IMPRESSIVE.  They just flew by, and then crashed and burned the next minute.  But, they get right back up and start again.  They are truly fearless, and I know from watching them that being fearless is the way to learn something and improve on something.  It's hard to get there as an adult in the big scary world... but even just being a little more fearless should make life more worthwhile.

I've also found that the older I get, the easier it is to get caught up in life and not take chances or risks anymore.  That's a habit I'm trying to break with these tiny adventures.  Winter has been tough, but I'm looking forward to having a bit of energy again to enjoy what life really has to offer.  Until next time...