I am a klutz. I never really learned just how much space my body requires: walls have a habit of jumping out at me. I lack fine motor control. Simple tasks, such as hammering a nail or tightening a screw, frustrate me. I am worse with power tools.

My body is also sensitive and injures easily. I typically have at least one bruise somewhere on my body. How I got it is anyone’s guess. I recently got stung by a bee. My body reacted like 10% of the population, with a large local reaction. The swelling and itching increased for three days. Now, 12 days later, the swelling and itching are gone, but there is still an obvious red area the size of two quarters.

The combination of my klutziness and my propensity towards injury means that I come home from each trip with some physical reminder of my adventure. Right now, wounds from three separate activities over the course of the past month are still healing.

Given that, I am starting a risky undertaking. This fall, I am participating in my first session of women’s flat track roller derby. True, it is just a recreational league, not competitive, but I will still be learning derby, skating over concrete trying to knock other skaters down without being knocked over myself. I had to sign 5 separate waivers to participate. It is not a question of if you will get injured, but more of when will you get injured, and how severe will it be?

Sounds like my kind of activity. I am looking forward to it. Now, I just have to learn how to roller skate…

Have you ever pursued something where the skills required did not necessarily line up with skills possessed? How did it go? Share in the comments below.

*Photo credit: puuikibeach (Creative Commons)