Testimonies & Articles

Sharon Gleton Testimony
From the onset I didn't take skating seriously. I assumed after taking the class, offered by Walter Johnson, I would skate occasionally, over a couple block radius, within by own neighborhood. However, once I completed the class my feelings about skating strongly changed. Through the learning transition, I found this to be play, then work, and now full enjoyment. I no longer question the number of miles covered, but instead, I recognize the many benefits skating brings. Such as toning and strengthening, a cardiovascular workout and burning of calories comparable to running or rowing.  What I take away from this experience is (1) learning the importance of wearing protective gear (2) I'm grateful to have come to know so many wonderful people which are always so willing to offer and share their skate knowledge.

Sharon Gleton

When I arrived at the spot where we were to meet, I didn't see any cars, so I assumed it was canceled because rain was forecasted. But just as I was pulling out of the parking lot, I saw the Walter and Carolyn in the distance. Wow, it was like artistry in motion to just watch the two of them skate with their arms behind their backs and a rhythm in their stride that although she took one and a half steps to his one, it was like watching music play (the melody and the rhythm section). Someone in Bert's said they had seen a group of skaters gathering at the location where the group had met the previous year. So we waited a few minutes for folks from my class to show up - No one did. Finally, Walter looks at me and says, "you ready to roll?" Up until this moment I hadn't even thought of the possibility of just the three of us skating. I would be 8 miles from my car and the only way back would be to skate, I started to panic a little. Not because I couldn't go that far, but more because I don't quite have good technique on my side. Remember, I finished the class a few days before.

I looked at Carolyn and Walter and he said, "Think of this as a private lesson. You'll be fine. The best way to learn is to skate with people better than you are." I agreed, this was a great opportunity. So we were off. The roll started out fine, a nice moderate pace. Walter up front; me in the middle and Carolyn bringing up the rear. This was so that he could watch for traffic; bad roads and potholes; bicycle riders or any thing else that we might encounter. She skated behind so she could watch me; give me pointers and ensure that if I wasn't going to make it all the way through an intersection, or if I kissed the pavement, she would be there to hold traffic. It was so cool. Fortunately, I didn't fall in the middle of any intersections, but I did fall.

Along our route to Mexicantown, we came to three streets that we needed to travel. The skate route symbolized a "Z" which wasn't the problem, the problem was - it was downhill. Before we got to it Walter gave me a heads-up; told me to "stay relaxed, run it completely out and the last road levels at the bottom which will automatically slow you down." When we reached the entrance of the "Z", I had already played the entire thing out in my mind. I bent my knees into a low, yet comfortable, position. Coming down that first hill gave me such a rush. I turned entering the second hill. By now, I am in a total hypnotic state. This feels so good. I hit the next turn and as I start to ascend down the hill, I separated my feet. I try to pull them back together, but it was too late. I was goin' down. Not to worry though, as crazy as it sounds, I had been practicing the proper falling technique in my basement. I did this to eliminate some of the fear I had about injuring myself and to remove some of the embarrassment WHEN I did. It worked. I got up and kept skating. Prez reminded me that even he falls, "If you are not falling, you are not trying new things on your skates."

We encountered several more hills. The more I experienced the "rush", the better my skating became. When we got to the festival, skating through the traffic and then the crowd was tricky, but I did it. For the most part the traffic and crowd both were skate friendly. Many of them knew Walter and Carolyn. We had margaritas and beer to quench the thirst we had developed from the 8 miles skate on this beautifully sunny day. Needless to say, during the roll back the libation kicked in and I was feelin' great. I enjoyed this roll so much, and I learned a lot too from rolling with the best skaters.

It took me an hour to fall asleep when I finally got in the bed that evening. I closed my eyes and I could still feel the "rush". I could still see myself surrounded by traffic and the crowd. I lay awake critiquing myself in the memory. As soon as I woke up the next day, I started checking the forecast for the week, so I could schedule my next skate date.

On July 5, 2001, I entered into a totally satisfying but different world -- the wonderful world of in-line skating. You see, skating was not an altogether unfamiliar experience to me. I grew up popping the whip on warm summer days on the asphalt streets of Portsmouth, Virginia. The only difference was that back then I was on a ball bearing set of 2x2s; 2 wheels on the front, 2 wheels on the back tightened with a skate key to the soles of my shoes. And believe it or not, we were good!

Those earlier days had taken a back seat to other fun things like Couch Potatoes (chair aerobics), yoga and several hustle classes. Retirees like me, can fill up our days and evenings with just about anything that seems doable, especially since we realize that movement, in whatever form, will keep Arthur from making a collect call because it is not my intention to accept the charges.

At our last block party 3 or 4 years ago, a renewed curiosity about in-line skating got my attention. Fortunately for me, my young neighbor had a pair of in-line skates that fit me perfectly. We negotiated a price and I bought them from him.

In the meantime, I attended MCBR's end of the season outing where I learned that those skates had become antiques. But for the occasion of the block party, I was all that! I stayed upright and did not break my knees or my hip - which are great concerns to seniors. The curb, however, did become my best friend. The blades even went home with me to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk; no helmet, no elbow pads, no knee pads, no wrist guards and NO CURB to stop me! All was the railing and the good Lord watching over me. I dared get in the mix though!
Practice time became nonexistent and the little gray and black bag from Target with my red, turquoise and black colored inline skates in it, with the hard boot that fit so well, lay in the trunk of my car. As I later learned in class, that was probably a blessing in disguise! I was improperly prepared and unprotected.
This is where my neighbor, Sharon, (it was her son who sold me my first pair of skates) comes into the story. Sharon shared with me the fun of having taken a class with this guy who taught folks like me who thought they could skate, the how-to's of in-line skating. That guy was Walter Johnson. Walter allowed me to worry him to death about his class. I had just missed a class that had already begun and was eager to get started and participate. He told me about the format, the cost and how skates and safety gear were provided during the class. But what got my attention during one of his conversations with me was a statement he made that "if you choose not to take my class, you really need to take a class from somebody, so you can learn how to do it right''!

I was so impressed that I did just that. I joined Walter's Thursday evening beginners class for a total of four, fun-filled two-hour sessions. He was ready for us with all our gear - skates and protective gear. Of course some of us, not saying who, put our stuff on upside down and backwards but not to worry! The eyes of Walter's dedicated crew noticed and very gently but with authority and humor got us straight. Here we are now, all geared up and ready to stand. We learned how to stand without rolling away, how to walk with our blades on, and probably most important, how to STOP! After this very first class, I no longer needed the security of the CURB, which by the way is no security at all! By this time I can bend my knees, assume that all too familiar position, press down on the braking mechanism and really and truly STOP! Walter knew we could do it. Such joy, it worked! We were all somewhat wobbly and shaky, some more than others, but for sure, eager to learn and willing to try. We became a cohesive group and improved each week and had a lot of laughs doing it.

I have got to back up a bit because there was one very important MUST for all of us, proper protective equipment, consisting of a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards. No one can skate with Walter without appropriate safety gear, which he provides for those attending his classes. In fact, to borrow from AmEx "don't leave home without it." We learned to bend our knees glide with our bodies in knees, nose and toes alignment, aka "the ready position". My friend told me that she watched Walter and tried to do what he did. I took her advice and did the same thing. We went up and down a small hill during the class. Then came the cones. We practiced slaloming in and out of the cones and coming to a complete stop right smack dab in front of the master teacher. Hey, piece of cake! Passed! Turning, on the other hand, was a major effort but a must to learn since you never know when you might be in a spot where you need to be able to turn right or left, ya gotta learn it. We took short skates around the area on our own and last but not least, Walter showed us how to fall the right way to avoid injury.

On our last class day, we went for our graduation skate to the Wayne State University area and heard the terms "car back" and "rough road" and knew what they meant. We practiced the rules of the road and looked out for oil, water and debris in the street, while Walter and his committed crew watched over us and kept us safe. We went to a blader-friendly bar in the area to rest, refresh and replenish ourselves with food and adult beverages in addition to enjoying the camaraderie of the members of our class. You see, we had worked hard and had not spent much time socializing and this was our big treat.

Each week Walter gave us information about the sport that he is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about. He provided handouts about skating and guidelines to help us with the selection and purchase of equipment. Upon receiving our Certificates of Completion of the class, reality set in. These class sessions were now over. Where did the time go? I certainly agree with the statement that you lose track of time when you are having fun. I already miss those Thursdays which I had eagerly looked forward to with Carolyn, Sharon, Larry and others who attended the class to assist Walter and give us encouragement. Blading in the group behind and beside them gave me the opportunity to observe how beautiful and efficient I could look if I continued to put into practice what I had been taught.

I have been practicing in the neighborhood early in the morning.
I did join the Motor City Blade Runners (MCBR) In-line Skate Club (MCBR) which included a really nice T-shirt complete with logo. I am gliding better now and feeling more rhythmic. In fact, I think I can holler at Walter if I should meet him in the street or at Belle Isle (fat chance) and he will holler back. And just in case you were wondering, I have put my precious first pair of blades aside for a more up-to-date pair which feel and look, according to my grandchildren, "really sweet"!

Thanks again, Walter and MCBR members for a wonderful journey into in-line skating! You are right, it truly is a great way to have fun! In fact, as soon as I close this computer down, I am out the door!