I feel like I’m much improved this week. I managed to do a plough stop!! This may not seem a big deal but it was getting to the point where I was worried I’d never get there. My T Stops are still shaky but also feel a bit better about them.
We mostly went over the same things this week, just making sure we’re all getting them right, and getting our bodies used to falling and balancing on our wheels. The roller girls taking the practice this week were Ninjette, Lola Vulkano and Sinister Mary Clarence. Again they were all incredibly lovely, and Lola especially helped me with my plough stop. She was very encouraging and patient and it definitely made a difference. The most helpful tip was not looking at my feet when stopping, keeping my head up. And with the T Stop my balance was an issue (isn’t it always?), even though I can skate on one leg. As soon as I have to do something with the other leg, I lose it. Pointing with your arm in the direction you want to go really helps with that.
The new thing we tried this week was jumps. Scary. And I get how they’re supposed to be done, I just have to get over The Fear. Not helped by the fact that on one of my first goes I fell backwards and hit my butt on my skate. Hard. Oh that hurt. And yet I know to FALL FORWARDS!! It’s one of the first things we learned. My body hasn’t quite got to grips with this yet. My butt is kinda ok, if I sit in a certain way, but if I hit the sweet spot where I caught it with my wheel it’s take your breath away painful. Also, sneezing is not good.
I am still hoping we’ll find somewhere in the week to practice skating, as I really need to be on my wheels more. Possibly when the weather gets better I can skate in the park, but we’ll see. I’ll be missing next week’s practice, so I definitely need to have a go in the week so I don’t fall behind.
I’m still ridiculously enjoying it though.
