Sticks and Stones

Day 3 of roller blading: Roman can run longer and faster each outing. He understands that we need to pause when the trail meets city streets. I am at my least graceful at these intersections, trying desperately to stop. The all-but-useless brake on the heel of the right skate taunts me as it gives the impression of slowing. Normally I step off into the grass, making a few high stepping moves to come to rest. Or, if there's a handy road sign with a galvanized pole, I grab it and spin until my momentum is gone. Either way, I throw the leash and Roman knows to stop and observe his awkward human finding a way to stop upright.

The childhood rhyme of "sticks and stones may break my bones" came to mind today because the tiniest twig on the asphalt can cause a roller blade wheel to stop abruptly. The same is true for a pebble. When this happens, the body lurches forward, hopefully landing on the other foot to stay upright. Now I've become more cognisant of debris on the path, and I avoid all that I can by stepping carefully over and around it.

Roman's toenails are nicely smoothed from running on pavement. No more wrestling to clip them at home. His pads are toughened to avoid injury, and he is visibly excited when he sees us struggle to get the protective pads on because he knows that leads to an outing when he can run beside me and tow me. Let's hope our injury-free record continues!