For the first time in about 18 months I went ice skating. For a variety of reasons, my trips to the rink are few and far between. Mostly, though, it's the breaking in my skates that is a HUGE issue (I had major ankle-rub today which tore some of the skin off the inside of my right ankle...Owie!Owie!Owie!), as is dealing with two rather irksome groups of skaters: The out-of-control beginners who go hurtling across the ice and usually drop right at my feet or cut so close in front of me that I can't stop or re-direct quickly enough, and the Ice Princesses who aren't content to practice their jumps and twirls at centre ice (a section specially cordoned off just for them), but have to go flying and twirling right into us "riff-raff".

I have to say, though, that today I did all right: I skated for just about three hours without having to do too much fiddling and twiddling getting my skates laced just right. I find my hockey skates are much better for this than figure skates were because hockey skates are made really sturdy and solid through the ankle so you don't have to deal with either over-wobbly ankles or having your circulation cut off and getting foot/leg cramps...except during the break-in period. My feet fit better in the skates now that I've lost some weight, but getting used to the skates is still A Very Special Kind of Hell.

I visited with the guy in the pro shop while they resurfaced the ice. He suggested a better kind of sock for me to wear (nice and thin, but not because they're threadbare like my socks are) and took my right skate in the back and punched back the ankle area a little bit so it isn't so oppressively tight. He said to just bring them in when I find areas that are particulary uncomfortable and he'll work on them for me. But, talking to him and a couple of hockey dudes on the ice, the only way I'm gonna get these suckers broken in is to wear them. A lot. One of the hockey dudes said I might try "baking" my skates...but I nearly blew up my hair dryer a couple years ago trying that. So, I guess I'll be wearing my skates (with the blade guards ON) around the house until I get them broken in (or is that my feet that will be broken in?). And, according to the Hockey Dude, I need to go "hard core" on the ice and "work up a good sweat." Actually, I could/would do that if I had the strength and skill level needed to be able to dodge the other skaters quickly enough to prevent broken limbs. So, not having my own back yard rink, I shall be wearing those skates whilst watching Netflix, washing dishes, and yes, even when I'm blogging! And I suppose having to dodge stretching cats and (their tails) will be good practice for avoiding the hurtlers and ice princesses at the rink!

So, three hours on the ice and no face-plants, though I had a few near-misses with the hurtlers. (I gave up and left when they got to be a safety hazard and, rather than correcting their habits, the skate patrol guy encouraged more hurtling by chasing them round the rink.) That's a good day out, I'd say!

Whilst the furkids have their supper, I'll try to get warm again, do a bit of stretching, and then it'll be loads of hot tea and a nice, hot bath...and hopefully I won't be totally crippled in the morning!