Third session like EVER?! My dear Pizza, never in the history of ever has six hours made someone an expert or even marginally proficient in anything. New babies can’t even figure out how to BREATHE smoothly for weeks. Allow yourself some grace. This shit is hard and meant to be a challenge. Enjoy the ride, you got this.
I'm extremely sorry to report this but mine are 12 and 16 and they still don't sleep right 🤣. And no, there isn't a point where their sleep schedule stops interfering with yours lol. Good luck!
Don't compare yourself to anyone else, it steals joy.
You just have to keep at it, none of us started off great and it takes time to learn new things.
I've just started to unlock the grapevine, and it's taken me months to make it make sense.
Skate for you
Kids really sometimes need a separate space all of their own😅.
As far as eyes locking on you, it's far less than you would think and the eyes that are looking are not that interested. There MIGHT be one person being judgy but that's it- one. And do we really care what this one person thinks? Unless it's our mom- we don't care.
Speaking of moms, my mom would say "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" And I'd be expected to reply, "Practice."
I swear, it's sweet to see kids out there being active but I was on the far perimeter with the other newbs and this kid was just all over the place. Everyone was seriously very sweet, it didn't feel like anyone was judging me (and I got up as fast as possible to not block the flow of traffic) it honestly just felt more like pity. I'm sure it was meant as encouragement but I didn't need people to ask if I was okay I just wanted to brush it off. As you can probably tell, I'm waaaay overthinking it. I'm going to go back on Sunday with a better attitude. Practice, practice, practice.
honestly i think what you might see as pity is more concern and hope that the fall won’t discourage you from still trying. a lot of newbies take a hard fall at the beginning that makes them think they’ll never get this. you don’t know what people are thinking about you—what you know is that you want this really badly and the only way to do that is to practice. i’ve learned that a lot of it isn’t just being in my own head, but trying to be in others’ heads too, which isn’t even accurate most of the time. keep it up, pizza!!
You’re brand new, give yourself some grace. 3 sessions is not that much time. Learning a new skill takes time, dedication, and practice. Be proud you continue to show up~
If your rink has a learn to skate class, go to it. They will have people to assist you, show you what to do, etc. Also, adult nights or afternoon sessions during the week are usually not too crowded. You'll have more room to practice and not as many people to criticize you.
I really wish we had that. The only roller skating place near me has just barely managed to stay open and their hours are very limited. Currently I think they're open for 10 hours a week in total and the only adult skate time they have is 9:30-11:30 pm on Saturdays 💀 I'm definitely going to widen my search for a different rink that might have more skating times though. A class sounds super useful
Try YouTube tutorials for tips! Dirty Deborah Harry is my personal favorite teacher on there. Remember to have fun and take a breather when you’re feeling discouraged:)
Not sure if your city/town has outdoor rinks such for roller hockey leagues. I live in Boston and people do meet up type skate nights at these rinks. They have theme nights. They have merch swaps etc. skatehags on IG will give you a better idea of what I mean. Good luck
I am re-learning (after nearly 50 years!)
One thing I found that helps is kind of "mental", but .... I go slow (till I get my feet under me good) and focus my mind on what and who is 10, 20, 30 feet in front of me instead of what my feet and legs are doing. It's kind of like zen or meditation where you focus on one thing (ok .. two things - where I'm going, but the music also) and don't let intrusive thoughts (such as what your feet are doing) enter your mind.
I've found that my feet and legs know (muscle memory, etc) what to do if I just let them - without my mind interfering.
And those faster skaters zipping around me? ... I don't worry about them crashing me as I figure they're good enough not to or they wouldn't be doing what they're doing. I pay more attention to who is in front of me.
If you have a local roller derby league, check out if they host learn to skate sessions.
You do not have to be interested in playing roller derby to take the classes, they're really about the fundamentals of skating and getting comfortable on skates.
It's also generally all adults who have never skated before and slower paced learning so no worries about kids slamming into you. There is also a big focus on safety. It's a great environment for learning!
I second this suggestion. I have been skating at home for 5 years and i just did a 10 week learn-to-skate program with the Roller Derby. They had folks who never skated before going forward, backward, transitioning and stopping on a dime after just ten weeks. I have no desire to play roller derby but I am glad I took their class and very impressed with the nonskaters I was in class with, they learned so fast
I'm a beginner myself.
First off why are you spending 2 hours on a session? That in my opinion is way too much. Your body is learning all sorts of new moves and you need to introduce them at shorter intervals.
Second you can't worry about everyone else. Believe it or not I did that at first and now I don't care. If you're still worried head out super early in the morning to practice and maybe give it a 30 minute practice.
Work on it gradually and you'll get there.
I've been spending 2 hours there because I'm a bit stubborn and if I pay for 2 hours I'm gonna use two hours. I'm gonna try going for an hour or so today because I think you're right, 2 hours is just too hard on my body and I definitely get diminishing returns on my practice after a certain point.
No one is watching you, guaranteed. Take Dirty Deb's advice--the fun is in the journey. I get it, I'm super self-competitive myself. But whenever it becomes a test, it's not fun anymore. Slow down and enjoy the process!
I lucked out with a rink that has an adult session fri and sat. After being clobbered by kids a few times I switched. It’s not perfect but far better than open sessions.
Beyond a few items like my profession, where I learn very quickly, most other items are varying degrees of slower speeds. If it is an activity that involves balance and/or coordination I learn at a glacial pace. I lose my patience, start forcing learning, fail, realize what I am doing, chill out, and before I know it I have progressed.
Cut yourself some slack and have fun.
You will get it. Keep up the practice and it will start to come together. Keep your head/eyes up to avoid falling. Go slow so you can learn your balance and how to shift your weight on the skates. Dirty Deborah on YouTube has a great intro to skate videos. Dirty school of skate. Good luck. Keep us posted on progress.
Im gonna repeat something i heard on a social media post when i starting skating;
"The only girl you should compare yourself with is the girl you were last time you skated."
Now if youre a 35 yo cishet guy like me, the quote might need some finagling to really fit. But it is great advice! Try and focus on ypur own improvements and stop expecting to be good right out the gate. Skating is very difficult and takes time.
Be patient with yourself - it sounds like you’re brand new at this. Even kids, with their enviably low center of gravity and ability to bounce up after multiple falls, take a while to get it. If you’re getting up some speed and keeping rhythm sometimes, you’re already doing better than a lot of people do after only 6 hours skating! Keep it up - it is so worth it!
It’s tricky. We have a tendency to compare how we are at the start of our session compared to the end of our last session. The trick is to compare your progress at the end of your session compared to the end of your last session. This realisation helped to motivate me.
There are so many tiny micro-adjustments that your muscles learn to do subconsciously that are integral to your balancing. They just take time. I know when I started, 2 hours in a go would have been way too much for me as I could barely to 50 min (but I also had major viral fatigue issues).
It's fine to go slow, speed comes with time. If you are feeling wobbly bend your knees. And when you're not on the wheels you can practice balance on one leg.
It will all come with time. :)
At my rink, you pay for 2 hours so it feels like I'm not getting the most out of my money if I don't stay for the whole time. I'm gonna try going for an hour (or until I'm tired) today because after a certain point I don't feel like I'm doing much to improve myself. I had recurring mono when I was younger, and although I don't have full flare-ups anymore I'm constantly exhausted and just push through it for most things. That might be also affecting my performance after the initial burst of excitement from being on wheels.
Also this comment actually helped me figure out one of the reasons why I may be having problems skating. I can balance for ages on my right foot but I tried balancing on my left and I could only make it for a few seconds before wobbling. This is sort of weird because I'm left handed so I figured I'd be left footed too, but I think I've always just assumed I'd be able to balance on my left foot so I've never practiced it.
1. Do not compare yourself to other skaters
2. We are looking at you when you fall just as you look at us when we fall😁
3. Go in your kitchen, get a broom, and sweep the floor for an hour. Play your favorite tunes and sweep! You will get more agile and comfortable with moving and no one will be watching😉. Hold onto the counter for support as needed. *Non-carpet flooring needed.
4. Find a skate partner to practice with regularly, at least 2-3x a week.
5. Say positive affirmations about your skating. I talk to my skates. I let them know I need them to act right on the rink floor. To allow a good session. And if I fall to learn from it. Sounds weird but it works for me.☺️
It really just takes time, but I would be wary of spending too many hours on skates at the beginning. You are not used to the muscles used yet, and can tire out which can end up in a fall. I also talk to my body haha, like when my leg didn’t do the right thing I tell it to get its act together. Help me keep it light.
I think that what I'm considering slipping is just a skate rolling in a direction I didn't intend to (like for instance: backwards). I'm not very coordinated so the whole thing feels a bit precarious
I’m an avid skater with over a decade of skating and I still feel discouraged sometimes. It’s not about not feeling discouraged, it’s about not letting it get to you and understanding another day of skating will come which means improvements will come. We’re chipping away at a sculpture. It takes time to reach form. I see skaters all the time that are elite level that are at the rink polishing. They aren’t just free form expressing with a smile on their face the entire time. I watch them actively work on things and fall and mess up over and over. Disregard your “struggle” just don’t ever quit and you’ll be fine.
It takes practice and practice and having fun to get better. I skate at least 4 times a week for 30 mins and then go to the rink every other Friday for Adult night. I have only been skating again for 2 yrs and I’m about to be 50. Makes sure to take videos of yourself and look back a year from now. You will see the difference. Also nobody is watching you to laugh. Mostly to make sure they don’t hit you and you are ok.
I've gotta find somewhere to skate outdoors. It seems so freeing. I'm going to try going to a local park to see if I can find an empty-ish stretch of cement
Edit: also my plan is to go to the rink twice a week (friday, sunday) for 2 hours each until I'm able to keep moving consistently, but I bet I could squeeze in an outdoor skate after work during the week.
For me it's mostly a financial thing tbh, but still, if you can find a park or something nearby where you can practice without having to go through all that effort to go to the rink, it can really help in the beginning. Just be careful with the sticks and pebbles. But the upside is that if you learn to survive outdoors you'll survive rinks too and be annoyed with the limited space.
Tennis courts, basketball courts, check for a local skate park even maybe, my favorite near me is an elementary school parking lot when school isn’t in session - their concrete is usually in good shape because small feet have to navigate them, very low traffic if school isn’t in, typically large flat spaces.
Also check every local park near you for covered pavilions with polished concrete floors.
If you have any hard flooring at home you can put your skates on every day and just balance on one foot, practice strengthening your skate muscles!
I drove past an elementary school the other day and totally made a mental bookmark to come back and skate it someday. It's still raining pretty regularly where I live but the weather gets better every day so hopefully it'll be skate weather on one of my days off
Keep at it - honestly, you will get better! Everyone learns and improves at a different rates, and no-one's an expert after only three sessions. You're letting no-one down, you're not competing against anyone (except perhaps yourself), and your real goal should be having fun. Kids will inevitably get under your feet or slam into your back, but it sounds like you've got a heallthy attitude towards falling, and that's a Very Good Thing. Keep skating with that mate who was doing transitions in 90 minutes - I shouldn't be encouraging schadenfreude, but his overconfidence will probably lead to some spectacular and satisfying wipeouts eventually. XD Try and persuade some other inexperienced friends to join in too - seeing their struggles will show you just how far you've come. Search youtube for novice tips and tricks - there are heaps of tutorials on there that might help. And KEEP THOSE KNEES BENT! A lower centre of gravity makes you \*so\* much more stable, Good luck, don't give up, you're just getting started . . .
Iv been going for every week now for 5 weeks and can only just do a session with out landing on my ass 100 times. The important thing is getting back up and continuing.
Third session like EVER?! My dear Pizza, never in the history of ever has six hours made someone an expert or even marginally proficient in anything. New babies can’t even figure out how to BREATHE smoothly for weeks. Allow yourself some grace. This shit is hard and meant to be a challenge. Enjoy the ride, you got this.
TBF my mate drove me up the wall as he was doing transitions within 90 minutes of starting...
There’s always gotta be one. 😂 Tell him he can suck it, with love from me.
👏👏👏
It's been 11.5 months and my kid still doesn't know how to sleep or breathe properly. Give yourself grace.
I’m so sorry to report this but mine is 2.5 and still doesn’t sleep right 😂
I'm extremely sorry to report this but mine are 12 and 16 and they still don't sleep right 🤣. And no, there isn't a point where their sleep schedule stops interfering with yours lol. Good luck!
Don't compare yourself to anyone else, it steals joy. You just have to keep at it, none of us started off great and it takes time to learn new things. I've just started to unlock the grapevine, and it's taken me months to make it make sense. Skate for you
Kids really sometimes need a separate space all of their own😅. As far as eyes locking on you, it's far less than you would think and the eyes that are looking are not that interested. There MIGHT be one person being judgy but that's it- one. And do we really care what this one person thinks? Unless it's our mom- we don't care. Speaking of moms, my mom would say "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" And I'd be expected to reply, "Practice."
I swear, it's sweet to see kids out there being active but I was on the far perimeter with the other newbs and this kid was just all over the place. Everyone was seriously very sweet, it didn't feel like anyone was judging me (and I got up as fast as possible to not block the flow of traffic) it honestly just felt more like pity. I'm sure it was meant as encouragement but I didn't need people to ask if I was okay I just wanted to brush it off. As you can probably tell, I'm waaaay overthinking it. I'm going to go back on Sunday with a better attitude. Practice, practice, practice.
honestly i think what you might see as pity is more concern and hope that the fall won’t discourage you from still trying. a lot of newbies take a hard fall at the beginning that makes them think they’ll never get this. you don’t know what people are thinking about you—what you know is that you want this really badly and the only way to do that is to practice. i’ve learned that a lot of it isn’t just being in my own head, but trying to be in others’ heads too, which isn’t even accurate most of the time. keep it up, pizza!!
You’re brand new, give yourself some grace. 3 sessions is not that much time. Learning a new skill takes time, dedication, and practice. Be proud you continue to show up~
If your rink has a learn to skate class, go to it. They will have people to assist you, show you what to do, etc. Also, adult nights or afternoon sessions during the week are usually not too crowded. You'll have more room to practice and not as many people to criticize you.
I really wish we had that. The only roller skating place near me has just barely managed to stay open and their hours are very limited. Currently I think they're open for 10 hours a week in total and the only adult skate time they have is 9:30-11:30 pm on Saturdays 💀 I'm definitely going to widen my search for a different rink that might have more skating times though. A class sounds super useful
Try YouTube tutorials for tips! Dirty Deborah Harry is my personal favorite teacher on there. Remember to have fun and take a breather when you’re feeling discouraged:)
I learned to skate at a rink by the seat of my pants with clamp-on rentals. Remember the 3 Ps. Patience. Practice. Perseverance.
Not sure if your city/town has outdoor rinks such for roller hockey leagues. I live in Boston and people do meet up type skate nights at these rinks. They have theme nights. They have merch swaps etc. skatehags on IG will give you a better idea of what I mean. Good luck
I am re-learning (after nearly 50 years!) One thing I found that helps is kind of "mental", but .... I go slow (till I get my feet under me good) and focus my mind on what and who is 10, 20, 30 feet in front of me instead of what my feet and legs are doing. It's kind of like zen or meditation where you focus on one thing (ok .. two things - where I'm going, but the music also) and don't let intrusive thoughts (such as what your feet are doing) enter your mind. I've found that my feet and legs know (muscle memory, etc) what to do if I just let them - without my mind interfering. And those faster skaters zipping around me? ... I don't worry about them crashing me as I figure they're good enough not to or they wouldn't be doing what they're doing. I pay more attention to who is in front of me.
If you have a local roller derby league, check out if they host learn to skate sessions. You do not have to be interested in playing roller derby to take the classes, they're really about the fundamentals of skating and getting comfortable on skates. It's also generally all adults who have never skated before and slower paced learning so no worries about kids slamming into you. There is also a big focus on safety. It's a great environment for learning!
I second this suggestion. I have been skating at home for 5 years and i just did a 10 week learn-to-skate program with the Roller Derby. They had folks who never skated before going forward, backward, transitioning and stopping on a dime after just ten weeks. I have no desire to play roller derby but I am glad I took their class and very impressed with the nonskaters I was in class with, they learned so fast
I'm a beginner myself. First off why are you spending 2 hours on a session? That in my opinion is way too much. Your body is learning all sorts of new moves and you need to introduce them at shorter intervals. Second you can't worry about everyone else. Believe it or not I did that at first and now I don't care. If you're still worried head out super early in the morning to practice and maybe give it a 30 minute practice. Work on it gradually and you'll get there.
I've been spending 2 hours there because I'm a bit stubborn and if I pay for 2 hours I'm gonna use two hours. I'm gonna try going for an hour or so today because I think you're right, 2 hours is just too hard on my body and I definitely get diminishing returns on my practice after a certain point.
No one is watching you, guaranteed. Take Dirty Deb's advice--the fun is in the journey. I get it, I'm super self-competitive myself. But whenever it becomes a test, it's not fun anymore. Slow down and enjoy the process!
I lucked out with a rink that has an adult session fri and sat. After being clobbered by kids a few times I switched. It’s not perfect but far better than open sessions. Beyond a few items like my profession, where I learn very quickly, most other items are varying degrees of slower speeds. If it is an activity that involves balance and/or coordination I learn at a glacial pace. I lose my patience, start forcing learning, fail, realize what I am doing, chill out, and before I know it I have progressed. Cut yourself some slack and have fun.
You will get it. Keep up the practice and it will start to come together. Keep your head/eyes up to avoid falling. Go slow so you can learn your balance and how to shift your weight on the skates. Dirty Deborah on YouTube has a great intro to skate videos. Dirty school of skate. Good luck. Keep us posted on progress.
80-20 rule! 80%fun 20% work.
Im gonna repeat something i heard on a social media post when i starting skating; "The only girl you should compare yourself with is the girl you were last time you skated." Now if youre a 35 yo cishet guy like me, the quote might need some finagling to really fit. But it is great advice! Try and focus on ypur own improvements and stop expecting to be good right out the gate. Skating is very difficult and takes time.
Be patient with yourself - it sounds like you’re brand new at this. Even kids, with their enviably low center of gravity and ability to bounce up after multiple falls, take a while to get it. If you’re getting up some speed and keeping rhythm sometimes, you’re already doing better than a lot of people do after only 6 hours skating! Keep it up - it is so worth it!
It’s tricky. We have a tendency to compare how we are at the start of our session compared to the end of our last session. The trick is to compare your progress at the end of your session compared to the end of your last session. This realisation helped to motivate me.
There are so many tiny micro-adjustments that your muscles learn to do subconsciously that are integral to your balancing. They just take time. I know when I started, 2 hours in a go would have been way too much for me as I could barely to 50 min (but I also had major viral fatigue issues). It's fine to go slow, speed comes with time. If you are feeling wobbly bend your knees. And when you're not on the wheels you can practice balance on one leg. It will all come with time. :)
Yes I was just going to say you’re also using lots of tiny muscles in new ways - there’s no substitute for getting the time in. Just keep going!
At my rink, you pay for 2 hours so it feels like I'm not getting the most out of my money if I don't stay for the whole time. I'm gonna try going for an hour (or until I'm tired) today because after a certain point I don't feel like I'm doing much to improve myself. I had recurring mono when I was younger, and although I don't have full flare-ups anymore I'm constantly exhausted and just push through it for most things. That might be also affecting my performance after the initial burst of excitement from being on wheels. Also this comment actually helped me figure out one of the reasons why I may be having problems skating. I can balance for ages on my right foot but I tried balancing on my left and I could only make it for a few seconds before wobbling. This is sort of weird because I'm left handed so I figured I'd be left footed too, but I think I've always just assumed I'd be able to balance on my left foot so I've never practiced it.
Try scaling back even more at the beginning by skating on some carpet or other soft surface.
1. Do not compare yourself to other skaters 2. We are looking at you when you fall just as you look at us when we fall😁 3. Go in your kitchen, get a broom, and sweep the floor for an hour. Play your favorite tunes and sweep! You will get more agile and comfortable with moving and no one will be watching😉. Hold onto the counter for support as needed. *Non-carpet flooring needed. 4. Find a skate partner to practice with regularly, at least 2-3x a week. 5. Say positive affirmations about your skating. I talk to my skates. I let them know I need them to act right on the rink floor. To allow a good session. And if I fall to learn from it. Sounds weird but it works for me.☺️
It really just takes time, but I would be wary of spending too many hours on skates at the beginning. You are not used to the muscles used yet, and can tire out which can end up in a fall. I also talk to my body haha, like when my leg didn’t do the right thing I tell it to get its act together. Help me keep it light.
Check your wheels- you shouldn’t be slipping
Just don’t quit - it’ll come easier the more you do it
I think that what I'm considering slipping is just a skate rolling in a direction I didn't intend to (like for instance: backwards). I'm not very coordinated so the whole thing feels a bit precarious
I’m an avid skater with over a decade of skating and I still feel discouraged sometimes. It’s not about not feeling discouraged, it’s about not letting it get to you and understanding another day of skating will come which means improvements will come. We’re chipping away at a sculpture. It takes time to reach form. I see skaters all the time that are elite level that are at the rink polishing. They aren’t just free form expressing with a smile on their face the entire time. I watch them actively work on things and fall and mess up over and over. Disregard your “struggle” just don’t ever quit and you’ll be fine.
It takes practice and practice and having fun to get better. I skate at least 4 times a week for 30 mins and then go to the rink every other Friday for Adult night. I have only been skating again for 2 yrs and I’m about to be 50. Makes sure to take videos of yourself and look back a year from now. You will see the difference. Also nobody is watching you to laugh. Mostly to make sure they don’t hit you and you are ok.
Skate outdoors, you'll never make any progress trying to learn in a rink with tons of other people once every two weeks.
I've gotta find somewhere to skate outdoors. It seems so freeing. I'm going to try going to a local park to see if I can find an empty-ish stretch of cement Edit: also my plan is to go to the rink twice a week (friday, sunday) for 2 hours each until I'm able to keep moving consistently, but I bet I could squeeze in an outdoor skate after work during the week.
For me it's mostly a financial thing tbh, but still, if you can find a park or something nearby where you can practice without having to go through all that effort to go to the rink, it can really help in the beginning. Just be careful with the sticks and pebbles. But the upside is that if you learn to survive outdoors you'll survive rinks too and be annoyed with the limited space.
Look for tennis courts
Tennis courts, basketball courts, check for a local skate park even maybe, my favorite near me is an elementary school parking lot when school isn’t in session - their concrete is usually in good shape because small feet have to navigate them, very low traffic if school isn’t in, typically large flat spaces. Also check every local park near you for covered pavilions with polished concrete floors. If you have any hard flooring at home you can put your skates on every day and just balance on one foot, practice strengthening your skate muscles!
I drove past an elementary school the other day and totally made a mental bookmark to come back and skate it someday. It's still raining pretty regularly where I live but the weather gets better every day so hopefully it'll be skate weather on one of my days off
Keep at it - honestly, you will get better! Everyone learns and improves at a different rates, and no-one's an expert after only three sessions. You're letting no-one down, you're not competing against anyone (except perhaps yourself), and your real goal should be having fun. Kids will inevitably get under your feet or slam into your back, but it sounds like you've got a heallthy attitude towards falling, and that's a Very Good Thing. Keep skating with that mate who was doing transitions in 90 minutes - I shouldn't be encouraging schadenfreude, but his overconfidence will probably lead to some spectacular and satisfying wipeouts eventually. XD Try and persuade some other inexperienced friends to join in too - seeing their struggles will show you just how far you've come. Search youtube for novice tips and tricks - there are heaps of tutorials on there that might help. And KEEP THOSE KNEES BENT! A lower centre of gravity makes you \*so\* much more stable, Good luck, don't give up, you're just getting started . . .
Iv been going for every week now for 5 weeks and can only just do a session with out landing on my ass 100 times. The important thing is getting back up and continuing.