Learn to rollerblade

For the first time in at least 6 months.

This time I walked to the park before putting on my skates, since the sidewalks in my neighborhood aren’t very kind to extreme beginners like myself (Advanced people would appreciate the obstacle course potential I think).

When I arrived at the park, I sat down, put on the skates, and tried to stand up very slowly. I felt very shaky, and held on to anything close by to prevent from falling down. But after a few minutes, I regained my balance and confidence, and skated around there for a while.

Also, something funny is that I finally found out how to properly tighten the straps and buckles on the skates. Maybe that’s why I had problems last time.

I’ll attempt this a few more times and then mark this as “done”.

And I’ll definitely be making time to practice rollerblading.

Not enough free time until the first week of September, but I’ll have a good amount of free time to get some things done then (I requested some time off from work for relaxation and late “spring cleaning”).

But I’m confident I’ll remember how to stand up on rollerblades without falling over, and figure out how they work.

I bought a new pair of rollerblades (along with a helmet and a good set of pads, I’m needing them), and almost gave up on the first attempt.

Try #1: While sitting down inside the house, I put on the skates, then tried standing up with them on. I managed to stand up for almost 10 seconds before my shaking threatened to make me fall over. I waited a few minutes to prepare myself, and tried standing up again for 10 seconds before anxiety set in.

Try #2: Becoming a little more courageous, I tried skating on the sidewalk near my house. Discovered the fastest way to stop while on skates is to run into a lightpole, fence, or just fall down. Also discovered that knee, elbow and wrist pads don’t quite absorb shocks on those posterior landings.

Try #3: Tried the sidewalk once more. Using lightpoles, fences and whatever else is in sight as a guide, I was able to (slowly) skate my way to the park, about 2 blocks away from my home. I should have started at the park in the first place, since there’s a basketball court and many good-quality paved walkways.

Try #4: Dared myself to learn how to use that back heel brake, also attempted the “T” brake (The putting one foot behind the other at a perpendicular angle). Also turns are becoming doable.

That’s good enough for now I think. I did order some “how to” books, so I’ll be reading through those, and try to look like I know what I’m doing when on rollerblades.