Skating Not For the Trophy but Fun

Winter is always a great time to go out and have fun playing with the falling snow. It’s time to get those skates and show what you’ve got. Among some of the most popular outdoor activities during winter is ice skating. Time to glide on the snowy cold ice. And that’s exactly what I did last winter.

Last year during winter season I decided not to sit back in couch but move out and attend an ice skating completion which was held in our region. I couldn’t wait for the day due to eagerness that I had since it was my first event to attend and I had practiced for it since the first day of winter.

On that day, I prepared myself by wearing my old, though still useful Canadian Goose because I needed keep warm or else I’d freak out even before. A cup of hot coffee did the secret. You know how coffee works wonders anytime you need some magic.

Then I grabbed my skates and skating gear and off I went. I needed to reach our local rink early but oops, my motorbike was broken, and so I had to take a cab… “a sign of bad luck.” So I thought as the taxi man drove slowly through the morning traffic which was almost paralyzed by the snowy mists…maybe another sign of a bad day.

I couldn’t help curse the taxi man as he snailed down the busy highway. Maybe I was tensing, or probably freaking out already, but the point is, this being my first day to participate, I couldn’t afford to be late. As we veered from the highway, down the sloppy road leading to where the event was scheduled, I felt that I should just get out of the cab and skate till there. “Bad Idea… really bad idea.” I was quick to come to my senses.

That would be freaking out.

I needed all my energy and preparedness 100% at the start of the event. Skating some 5 miles or so would wear me out. I didn’t wanna freak. So I chilled, composed myself and just hoped that we get there on time so that I could register to participate. And of course to win. I needed nothing short of victory (but I knew I had slim chances – all starters do).

Luckily, we arrived just in time as the registrations were ongoing and swiftly, I ensured that I booked a place. Then I proceeded to sharpen my skates and get prepared. I had booked my place on the amateur’s race and it was scheduled to be the first event.

We then assembled together (all amateurs of course) and we were instructed to do some warm-ups. Of the amateur, I was the most suited to win. Looking at them, I had everything that they lacked, athletic body, a jovial mood and an innate desire to win. Most of them looked weary.

As we were warming up, I thought that I should show them some moves. I thought that by so doing, I would freak them out. I needed them to know what they are up against. There, I went trotting and doing some silly tricks. My stupid mistake.

I was able to make some cool moves but as we were going down a slope, I tried to jump and turn and boom. I fell down and got hit so hard. I felt very intense pain and by the time, the ER arrived, I knew that I had lost the race before it even started.

I curse myself. I just couldn’t imagine what I had done. I couldn’t fathom not participating. But that’s what happened. My hand had a dislocation which was fixed at the hospital and my parents took me home. Remorseful, I knew that I had lost the race and maybe the fun too. But not my hand…