Slippery places

Well, no luck on the 24 marathon this weekend. Maybe in another couple of weeks (next weekend is SuperBowl, of course). But what I did do this weekend, for the first time in way too long, was play some hockey on an outdoor arena.

I can say a lot of bad things about Winnipeg, but one thing I certainly cannot put them down for is the quality (or quantity) of their outdoor rinks. They are all well-lit. There are warm changing areas with concession stands. They use real Zambonis, and there are lines under the ice. Ridiculous.

As I stepped on the ice, I feinged inability to skate. You know, knees touching with ankles three feet apart, half the body weight on the stick, toes scraping over the ice when moving forward. The other guy I went with played a fairly high level of competitive hockey years ago, and he is currently coaching a Junior team, so he definitely had some wide eyes when he saw me. He figured it out soon enough.

After an enjoyable hour and a half of skating, passing, shooting, and getting thoroughly beaten in one-on-ones, I had to ask myself, "Why haven't I gone back to hockey?" I know I stopped in the first place for a few good reasons, including wanting to play other sports at school. But I really enjoy it, and I have started to get the basics of equipment back. I have a $5 stick, skates that are worth about $15 now, and $140 gloves. Yes, you're right, the most expensive probably isn't the most important piece of equipment. But I think I will try to accumulate the rest of the required equipment and get into a league - maybe in summer, maybe next winter. If I play here on the base I think I can even borrow everything other than skates and a stick. I'm getting sick of just running. Hockey it is. But I definitely will have to get my own cup - don't want to be borrowing that.

And why not? It looks like a good safe sport that won't endanger my career...