The very meaning of this word makes me laugh. As much as it is about just being a "spectator" and not a part of the organization, running, or responsibility of a meet or practice, somehow I am always working some angle of something, somewhere!
If I sound confusing it's because I spend half of my time confused! Should I write about that? Will it be controversial? Will it cause undue turmoil? Does the public need to know what ever it is I have observed? Well most of the time I don't have to ask all of these questions, but there have been a few times that I have been asked to remove articles or a portion of an article because it "wasn't appropriate". Hmm ... appropriate for whom?
So I backed off my writing for a while. And to be honest, things got busy for me. We have been putting an invitational speed meet together. Talk about being on the opposite side of being a spectator!! But I do have stories to write.... about the Blue Ridge Challenge (controversy in the World Class Mens race-you might be surprised at my take on the referee's call!) .... local league meets and what it's like to have one of my son's living 1200 miles away during his training which changes from one sport to another.
So hang tough and check back or better yet, jump on our rss feed and let us tell you when there is something new to check out. In the meantime... check out my other blog on our upcoming meet. Hey if you have nothing to do on March 9th, come check out our Marathon race or 5K or if you have never skated before... our 2K. www.inlinemarchmadness.blogspot.com
Linda :)
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WELCOME TO: What it's like to be a "Speed Skating Spectator"
I have been involved in roller skating for 45+ years (that makes me feel very old!), as a competitor, an artistic teacher, a parent and finally as a speed skating coach.
And no matter what we call it, unless you are participating in that race at that moment, you become a "Speed Skating Spectator". For me, I will always be a speed skating spectator who loves this sport as much as the skaters who compete in it. I live to watch the intensity, the speed, the competition and the outcome.
I hope to be able to bring those feelings to you, if you are not able to attend. To give insight to the "behind-the scenes" action and stories. For me, those are memories that do not always get documented. We all know who won the race and who placed top three. But the "WHY did they win, WHAT did it take for them to get there, WHEN in the race did it happen and HOW are they doing after their win, loss, fall or injury". Those are the stories that I want to tell.
With that I hope to include my photos that will bring the story into the next dimension. From black and white into vibrant color with words and pictures.
If nothing else, it will legitimately keep me from doing housework! ;) So enjoy. If you have story ideas, please feel free to submit them. I am open to just about anything - LEGAL! While you are here, don't forge that we have an "Archive". You can check out stories from the past and know that your favorite stories are not gone for good. Just scroll down to archive on the left-hand side and click any month that you are interested in seeing.
Thanks for reading - Linda
(PS Please remember that all statements unless quoted, are strictly my opinion of what happened. That there are as many opinions as there are spectators attending. I just choose to publish mine on my own blog. And would NEVER intend to purposely hurt or discredit any other skater, coach or parent.)
And no matter what we call it, unless you are participating in that race at that moment, you become a "Speed Skating Spectator". For me, I will always be a speed skating spectator who loves this sport as much as the skaters who compete in it. I live to watch the intensity, the speed, the competition and the outcome.
I hope to be able to bring those feelings to you, if you are not able to attend. To give insight to the "behind-the scenes" action and stories. For me, those are memories that do not always get documented. We all know who won the race and who placed top three. But the "WHY did they win, WHAT did it take for them to get there, WHEN in the race did it happen and HOW are they doing after their win, loss, fall or injury". Those are the stories that I want to tell.
With that I hope to include my photos that will bring the story into the next dimension. From black and white into vibrant color with words and pictures.
If nothing else, it will legitimately keep me from doing housework! ;) So enjoy. If you have story ideas, please feel free to submit them. I am open to just about anything - LEGAL! While you are here, don't forge that we have an "Archive". You can check out stories from the past and know that your favorite stories are not gone for good. Just scroll down to archive on the left-hand side and click any month that you are interested in seeing.
Thanks for reading - Linda
(PS Please remember that all statements unless quoted, are strictly my opinion of what happened. That there are as many opinions as there are spectators attending. I just choose to publish mine on my own blog. And would NEVER intend to purposely hurt or discredit any other skater, coach or parent.)
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About Me
- Linda L Wood
- I started skating at the young age of 2. It was cheaper for my parents to take me skating than it was to pay a babysitter. Skating has been a part of my life for over 45 years and has given me the opportunity to coach so many young children and adults in a sport that I love. My goal is to see us make it to the Olympics some day. This sport deserves it as well as the athletes who participate in it.