Back on the Ice

The Roadrunners have invaded Topeka and brought back minor league hockey back to the Capitol City. The team transformed Landon Arena into a skating rink. When they’re not practicing, the ice is open to public skating.

So a few weeks ago, I stepped back on the ice. The last time I did any SERIOUS skating was back in high school. In college, I could still do a some double jumps. Now I’m 29 years old and I was lucky to do some waltz jumps.

Skating at the Kansas Expocentre from Kris Vera-Phillips on Vimeo.

Jill Trenary (Winter Olympics 1984) once said she would always see herself skating. Even when she was 70 years old and all she could do was a waltz jump….she said she would be happy skating.

I know what she means now. I managed to do some spins, footwork and figures. I know I don’t have my teenager’s body and strength, but I felt happy to be moving on the ice again — free, beautiful and showing-off. One grandmother said her little girl was dazzled by me. It was nice to hear.

Part of the problem was my blades. They were quite dull and I was slipping on them. I found somebody to give them a nice sharpening. I think I’ll be able to do some jumps on my next public skating session.

And this video is taken from my point of view. See if you can keep up with the twist and turns…

Skating: See it from my point of view from Kris Vera-Phillips on Vimeo.