Practice Two

Tonight was practice TWO.
It felt good.  Really good. 
I was steady in my skates.  I pushed myself hard...but not too far.  I listened to my body.
We did time trials again.  I did all four sets of five minute intervals.  (Sunday I only did three sets.)  I wasn't as fast as I was Sunday, which disappointed me a little at first.  After I thought about it, I felt better.  I still made the requirement number of laps in the time 3/4 intervals.  Nothing to be discouraged about. 
I feel proud.  I feel Strong. I feel determined.  I will reach my goals.

The time is now

Nine months ago, this was me.  Sitting in a chair, leg propped high up on a pillow mountain, on ice, in pain...a lot of pain actually.

I have been patient.  I have been well behaved.  I have followed directions.  Done countless hours of physical therapy.  I've cried.  I've felt discouraged.  Beaten.  Broken.  

I have stood beside my teammates and watched them grow.  Become amazing athletes.  Fine tuned machines.  I've coached from the sidelines, and feel I have done what I could to bring home many victories so far this season.  This team is my inspiration.  Watching them skate and grow is my inspiration.  They have stood beside me too.  Supporting me with words and hugs the entire way.  I am grateful to them always.

My time is now...Sugar is back.

Last night, after 11 months of being off my skates..It was time.

My time.

I wasn't sure if I should smile or cry.  So I did both.  Cried with my permanent grin, the entire practice.

This is where I belong, in my skates.  On the track.  The sound of my wheels spinning under me.

It was a feeling I will never forget.  Not like the first time, when I started derby...better than that.  I've known all this time what I have been missing, and I really missed it.

I felt alive.  I felt free.  I felt fantastic.  I was skating.  I was skating.  Did I mention...I was skating.

The time is now...It's my time...finally.

Cheers to me

Sugar is back.