Round Trips & Rips!!!

Tonight found me back at our little rig in Brooklyn training with Dino and Manny.

I really got in a good workout. Thirteen jumps, including five catches, in little over an hour and a half. I started with a couple of warm-up swings to "feel" the rig, then spent the next 45 minutes practicing my fall. Tonight it was my half-turn to the net. It's surprising how hard it is to maintain a tight plank position, parallel to the ground and flip my body - belly to back - in midair to land safely. Pleased with my progress but I'm still piking the turn way too much.

Dino climbed to the Catch Trap and it was time to practice our Catches & Returns. Spectators often don't realize this but we have little conversations up there while we're attached. Dino and I usually have a really solid forearm "Lock" and his calming instruction keeps me from rushing my Apron work - most of the time. (Patience has never been my strong point.)

We caught my split twice before something absolutely magical happened...(The first part is blurry but the focus improves for the good stuff.)

I made my FIRST EVER Round Trip!!! Everything just came together. Before the jump, I was merely hoping we'd make the catch, Manny would throw a good bar and I'd get to practice my return. But even after I made the return, it never entered my mind to try for the remount. I was entirely in the Now...swept forward and forced up & out over the Board. When I felt Manny's hand on my lower back, I thought "Hey, that's a good idea. I'll plant my feet, let go of the bar and hang out up here with you guys." Round Trip!

I was so excited...my whole body was shaking. I had the biggest, goofiest grin on my face as I took my cool-down swing to the mat. The image I'll most remember is Dino's beaming smile looking down at me from his perch on the Catch Trap.

Then I got cocky, rushed my next trick and the Trapeze Gods humbled me...

It occurred to me that the more I think about the trick, catch, return or remount...the less likely I am to actually "make the beauty". With only about 15 minutes left in class, I decided that I was pleased with tonight's accomplishments; no need to push any further. While on Board waiting for my "Hep", I told Manny that I was just going to fly this one "for the love of it". My swing felt so strong and "flowy" - not my usual "mechanical robot". I floated into my split. Dino and I had our BEST catch. Patient Apron work. Great height & hang time in my 180. I was primed for the return...

But I made a rookie mistake. I didn't recognize that the return bar timing was off - already past Peak and fading back. But it was in my sight and I was touching it. I wanted that bar!!! I grasped it with my left hand; chasing it on the fade. A more experienced flyer would have immediately realized this, abandoned the return and fell safely. I didn't. Gravity came to play. I ripped and fell hard. But I learned something about return timing. Assuredly, I'll fall again and I'll rip again. I've so much more to learn.

Okay this is kinda gross but hey, it's all a part of Trapeze...

The small rips - right ring finger & left thumb - aren't bad. These little ones happen all the time. We just pack 'em with chalk to absorb moisture and keep flying. But when there's blood...well, we cut the skin flap and hang up our belt for the night.

Here's my parting shot with my instructors Dino, Manny & Susie on what was an incredible night at our little rig in Brooklyn...

I'm not going to lie, this 37 year old body took a beating today. It was an Ice Pack & Ibuprofen, Band Aid & Neosporin night...but it sure felt good to get back there and train hard again!!!

It was a really great day. I'll lay my head down on my pillow with absolutely nothing left to give...until tomorrow!