It's all about speed.
You look around. You see the others with whom you've trained in the past. Some are young, some are old. Men. women. children. These things do not matter here. Your conditioning holds the final truth.
Push, push, push, and off you go. Wheels spinning, gripping the floor. You start leisurely, but quicken as the slower members complete a few laps, and then drop off the front of the pack. At first, you're standing, gliding, and relaxed. But soon the pace demands more of you, and you must crouch with knees bent. Your breath races; your heart pumps; your chest heaves.
Whoosh! The air races past you. 20... 21.. 22... You're traveling around a track at 24 miles per hour! No time to think. Zoom! You're fighting physics now. Air resistance. Friction. Centripetal force takes over and you must compensate. Helmets and wrist guards don't prevent an injury - they'll merely lessen it. Your coach shouts, "Focus!", but your mind is already singular of purpose.
Leaning
Edging
Extending
Circling.
You've gone faster before, but it is not yet your time. One more skater, and you'll get your turn at the front. The acid is building in your legs now. Your muscles burn. Stopping is not an option.
Inches. Just inches from the wall to your right. Inches from the skater in front, and from the one who's giving chase. And a few inches off the ground for one skate - the brief moment hanging in the air is all the rest it gets. And just inches to go.
The leader moves aside. Your turn, and you're flying. The fast pace that was, becomes a faster pace set by you. You control the tempo, your body the conductor. You're the most free you've ever been. The corner becomes the straightaway, and the corner returns. It's a blur.
50 seconds later it's over. The rush ends. You move aside, as the few pros in your club fly with greater force. For a few moments the only sound you hear is your breath as you gasp for air.
This is the orgasm of indoor speed skating.
Posted by brian at October 23, 2003 12:20 AMThis is an incredible entry, Brian. The pacing is perfect for building up the sense of energy and exertion and excitement. It's clear why speed skating is your passion.
Posted by: Rachel at October 23, 2003 06:22 PM