If you’re in my ‘circle’ you pretty much know I was freaking out about having to race in my first speed skating meet yesterday. I had planned on doing a meet this year but not this one, that wasn’t even in my realm of thought. Then last weekend I was approached by the President of our speed skating club asking why I hadn’t signed up. They didn’t have enough Masters to run a race, they needed me to skate. Then he talked to both me and Speed Skating Son about how the parents have a responsibility to keep the speed skating club going and setting an example.
He was right. It’s one thing to talk the talk but it was time for me to get out there and skate the skate, even if it threw me so far outside my comfort zone I wasn’t going to sleep for a week.
Want a sneak peek into my psyche? My nightmares this week featured me showing up late for my races and everyone being mad at me. Apparently this gal’s biggest fears are not being punctual and disappointing people.
Here’s the rundown on my races.
Race One – 500m: I completely choked. By the time I got out on the ice my legs were shaking so badly I couldn’t even get into the start position. It was a gong show of epic proportions. I couldn’t do crossovers, I had absolutely zero form and my time sucked even worse than when they timed me in class. But I skated off that ice with a huge smile on my face and got a high five from the president of the speed skating club.
Official Time: 1:32.76 (there are six-year-olds in our club who skate faster than this)
Race Two – 500m: I wasn’t shaking and felt I did a much better job. That is, until I saw my time and realized I had actually done WORSE. Even Hockey Playing Husband was shocked. Me? I just laughed. I’m so used to delusional self-perceptions when it comes to my speed skating it was more like…Of COURSE it’s worse. Also, one is never as low as one thinks.
Official Time: 1:33.26 (I was pretty sure they were going to start putting me in the cradle groups after this time)
Race Three – 500m: By this time my nerves were mostly gone and I just wanted to have fun. And I did. I also got a new personal best of 1:26.95.
It’s all about the baby steps.
Race Four – 500m or so we thought: All of us went on the ice thinking we were doing a 500m but they surprised us with a 1500m race! For the record, I usually liked my surprises to be wrapped in pretty paper or have the words ‘open bar’.
Want to know when I clued in it wasn’t a 500m race? When I had gone around the rink five times and was all “why the hell is everyone still skating?” and then I looked at the lap counter and it said eight, meaning I had eight laps left. But of course, in my head, I thought it was a typo which was when I looked to the side, saw one of the coaches and I do believe I mouthed the word “crap” while lifting my hands in a questioning way to ask what was going on to which he responded “Keep skating!” So I did.
I have no idea what my time was for that but I will say this. Last year the few times they had us do 13 1/2 laps, I couldn’t do it. I’d die out at about nine. Yesterday I actually finished. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t graceful and I may have left a lung on the rink, but I finished.
Anyway, I have so much more to write but I am sick as a dog. Hockey Playing Son has had a brutal chest cold all week and it hit me yesterday afternoon right after the third 500m and I started coughing up a lung anytime I laughed, but here are a few highlights of the day.
- Having my family in the stands cheering me on.
- Getting a high five from the President of our speed skating club.
- Melissa showing up to take pictures.
- Looking up in the stands to see my friend Lisa.
- Speed Skating Son’s teammates cheer me on but having no idea what my name was which made me almost pee myself laughing at the awkwardness of hearing them shout, “Go A’s Mom!”
- Speaking of peeing – the combination of nerves and re-hydrating meant I skated every race being more afraid of peeing myself than falling.
- The support of all the speed skating parents who I sit with in the stands three days a week.
- Basically spending the day laughing and smiling so much that my face now hurts.
I had no idea that skating this meet would be the best thing I could have done but I sure am glad the president of our speed skating club knew.
I thanked him after the races.
I know I look fast but I’m actually about to get lapped. By EVERYONE.
Happiness. Also, pronating.
Oh, and I may have gotten my first ribbon. Fifth out of five skaters. First for getting out there and spreading the message of ‘just try.’
The pic of you holding the ribbon is priceless.
Well done, crazy lady!! You look like you’re having a blast!! xo
YAY SHARON!!
Congratulations on competing in your first speed skating race! I too am a speed skating Mom and skated my first short track races recently. Our results were about the same; nervous, finishing last, skating a personal best, and enjoying every minute of the fun and the support from others. Your next mission is to get those other parents out of the stands and onto the ice. Well that is my mission anyway.
Oh. My. Gosh! Tell me more! Where do you skate? How long have you been skating? What got you into it? I want to hear the whole story! And yes, we absolutely need to get more parents on to the ice. We’re up to 22 in our class and hopefully it will keep growing.
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My legs started shaking when I started reading the play-by-play but you DID IT!!! I also have nightmares about letting people down and showing up late. I think it’s a personality thing. You are a speed skating ROCK STAR. Congratulations!!!
You rock my world sistah! Congratulations!!
Total inspiration
So proud of you!!!!!! Way to go!!! xox
I love everything about this. Way to go, Sharon!
I love you so much! You just do it attitude, your smile, your joy. You are such a huge inspiration Sharon. Thank you. Congrats on getting out there and racing and showing everyone how it’s done. Long slow clapping going on over here for you.
Sharon, you just totally made my day! I kept checking your blog last night for an update…when I didn’t see one I was afraid maybe it hadn’t gone so well. But you rocked! Those pictures? AWESOME! You are killing that crossover in the second pic! I am so happy for you and (even though I don’t “know” you, at least not IRL) so proud of you. There you are, on that line with a whole bunch of other people ready to get out there and kick some ass. You are now officially a speedskater! I wish I had some more synonyms for “awesome,” but since I don’t I’ll just say it again–YOU. ARE. AWESOME!!
The meet didn’t end until 7:00 and by the time we got home and put the kids to bed I was a done bun. But, oh what a day! I didn’t stop smiling the entire time. That first race was TERRIFYING. The only time I can recall such a physical reaction to being afraid was when I did the CN Tower Edge Walk. My husband could literally see me shaking from the stands. But once I got that first race under my belt, I felt calmer. Also, the whole speed skating community is filled with the most awesome people ever. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this group.
And your words were a part of getting me through that first race. Thank you for always being such a big support.
Oh my what a great post! It made me laugh [snort actually] . It also made me cry when I saw the pics and you had the same face I had at age eight running on the cross-country team. This tiny little bird of a girl with knobby knees and chicken arms that was sure that she was flying even when she came in dead last. Thanks Sharon [and thanks Melissa for capturing that face].
You kinda made me cry with that comment. But in the best of ways.
WOW JUST WOW..You did it..and you did it well!!!!
This made me cry reading it…SO AMAZING..and INSPIRING..not to speed skate mind you..but to TRY…anything…and EVERYTHING!!!
WOOHOOOO!!!
It was a good lesson and checking my ego at the door and just going with it. Once again, I was completely blown away by the kindness and support of the people in this club.
Congratulations Sharon! Made me a bit teary reading about your sons (and Speed Skating Son’s teammates) cheering you on. Thanks for continuing to inspire.
There’ll be a post about speed skating son soon – he blew me away not only with his awesome skating, but with his sportsmanship.
Great job, Sharon! Knew you could do it
scared the crap out of me but I did.
You rock Sharon!
I was like a rock out there but next time I’ll be faster
HUGE Congrats!! We knew you’d rawk it! Phew… glad I’m not the only one that got teary reading! xox
Thanks Dianne, you’ve been so supportive from the beginning and I truly appreciate it.
So so so so so proud of you. A million high 5′s and full on hugs for you.
We’ll hug in real life soon, okay?
That is so friggin’ awesome! Well done!
Coming from a kick ass black belt woman…that’s huge
So freaking fabulous! I actually got a little teary reading this. Also…that looks scary as hell to me!
Good to know I wasn’t the only one getting a little teary.
I’m more worried about hurting someone else than myself.
HOORAY!!!! Way to go!
It’s all about the baby steps, or strides
Love it!
Way to go Sharon! What an example for life. Think I’m gonna print this one and pass it around.
Completely past my comfort zone and so glad I did it.
AWESOME!!!!!!! You inspire me. xo
Well, you know that goes two ways, right?
Amazing! Congrats for doing this even when you weren’t sure of yourself. You are awesome!
Thank you! It made my day to have my boys cheering me on.
YAY! Congrats on your first meet, on standing at the start, making those legs move, finishing all those races – especially the last, on your personal best… I could go on an on. You rocked it! Just wait for the next one
I’m excited for the next one. And more prepared for the 1500m sneak attack.
Whooo hooo! So proud of you my friend. And your cross-overs? Fricken’ fantastic. DS and I were both beyond impressed. Way to put yourself out there and set such a great example for your kids (and mine!). xo
You need to tell me that story.
You are AWESOME! Even more so for putting yourself out there for the rest of us to see what we could do if we got off the sofa… You notice, I am using a ‘royal we’ here.
Hope you feel better soon!
Chantal
Chantal, I fully believe you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
Great job! It is amazing to put your mind to something and then go do it. What a great example for your kids – and a great thing for yourself!
It’s actually the kids at the club who continue to inspire me – they put themselves out there every single time they are on the ice – it blows my mind.
Way to go, Sharon! Dude, I can’t even stand in skates. Be very proud! xo
I couldn’t even stand in skates last year – I’m SO proud.
This to me is you kicking ass. You did it! Just imagine where you’ll be in another year.
In another year I’ll be in fourth place!
So in awe of you! Congratulations and thank you for continuing to motivate me to “just do it”!
You don’t have to flatter me, you’re already in the sister-wives club
You did it!
Now you’ve got a race under your belt, I bet they’ll get easier and easier. I am so proud of you!
And look how happy you look in those pictures.
I didn’t stop smiling and laughing for the ENTIRE day.