Trying something new

When I am introduced to something new — a new hobby, new café or resto, new shop, new anything, I embrace it with so much gusto.

According to Wikipedia, water skiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface. I also think that it is a sport that requires upper and lower body strength. Methinks I won’t have any problems with the requirement.  I bike and swim.  I thought I had it in me already.  But I tell you; it was an activity that over powered my will to stand on water without great difficulty. It looked so easy. I mean what can be so difficult from crouching on water with you’re my back to it while keeping your legs close to your chest.

At first try, I didn’t feel my muscles object. However, the longer I stayed in the water, the more I ached.  My inner thighs, arms, back, and abdominal muscles began to quiver. From the sitting position, which looked like doing suspended crunches, it was hard to stand on water while holding on to the rope for dear life.  The task of taking off the body suit and all the other protective stuff I needed to wear sucked out whatever was left of my energy.

I do not give up easily. I’m sure I could’ve conquered the ski. But at some point, after rolling on water with nothing but painful sea water and the blue sky above me, I told myself if I can’t conquer this one there is always a next time.

“It’s your first time mom. You don’t expect to make it right and perfect the first time.”

My son told me this while I tried to concentrate on myself without my hands shaking. I told him that it doesn’t matter if it’s your first time or not, you have to give it your ALL.

No pain.  No glory.