Low point of a learning route

I skated at ECP today. It was an impotent experience.

I fumbled badly, somehow or other became crippled at doing simple scissoring and heel stops, and reduced to a beginner who could hardly balance to save her life.

Then it happened. An emergency stop ended with a fall on my butt, where a sharp pain shot through my lower body and numbed me. I was paralyzed for at least three minutes before I could slowly edge myself off the road and to a bench.

A brief moment later, I was on my wheels again.

Suddenly, serious loss of balance. Fell, then skidded to an abrupt stop on the rough tar surface of road. Bleeding thigh and elbow.

I’d ice put on the wounds. Darn it sure hurt.

After that, I still skated around, but with significantly less glides and speed. I became overly cautious of even gentle slopes with several near misses of losing my footing.

The falls/injuries didn't dent my confidence as much as my inability to hold my own after the efforts that were commited into getting it right.

Perhaps I’m not cut out for this sport. Not daring enough to take calculated risks, not bold enough to fall and learn from the experiences.

But giving up is an even more cowardly act. I refuse to do that. At least, not just yet.