First attempt, if you remember, scored me 15 laps and included a spectacular wipeout which I'm really quite proud of :)
Second attempt, one week later, was a fall-free 16 laps. I assume the same speed, but with the focus I clearly didn't have the first time round, and no subsequent face plant.
Third attempt was EIGHTEEN AND A HALF. (The half is important to me). That's two and a half whole laps up from last time!!
This week felt a lot better. Unlike last time, where it felt more fun-and-games, this time I was really working hard from start to finish. I zoned out and wobbled once or twice as I got more tired, but corrected myself and pushed for more speed on the straights. I also had some of the faster newbies to chase, which was a great boost, and the senior DollyRockits keeping count and yelling tips and encouragement. All of this really helped.
I also think it was at least partly to do with my crossover prediction. In last week's lesson I did manage to do a few crossovers, and although I didn't feel confident enough to attempt them at high speed yet, I positioned my legs and worked my feet as if I was going to step into a crossover, and when I got it right I felt the difference. Less sliding of the wheels, and less loss of speed on the corners. In fact there were several points where I thought to myself that I really should have stepped because I felt so stable.
This bodes well, and I am proud of myself, and very tired, and I going to go eat some crispy cakes now as a reward.
Fun news. The advanced level Dollies practise tonight included some special guests. We had the most excellent Judge Fredd reffing with our skating officials, and also a visiting reporter from a local radio station. Fun times all round! We also managed to get a full contingent of skaters, which meant we could do proper scrims rather than directed ones (which are still useful, but less fun for me to watch!) We also had loads of people to take turns refereeing and NSO-ing. I've been manning the penalty box for the past few weeks, but after our recent lesson on Scorekeeping and Line-up tracking I really wanted to have a go with some paperwork. This was the perfect time!
During our first lesson on gliding I discovered something... well, just really weird. Most people will start a glide and travel in a roughly straight line. I glide on my right foot ... and make a beautiful arc to the left (admittedly this is very handy for going round the ends of the track!) When I stand on my left foot ... I can barely do it for more than a second without toppling to the right. Some further investigation and a reluctant visit to the doctor revealed that I have a dazzling future career as part of Monty Python's Ministry Of Silly Walks.
