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Suzan Davis at Long Beach 2002
(book author wants to interview skaters)
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by Suzan Davis
Suzan Davis (left) in Long Beach with
SkateLog editor Kathie Fry
Photo copyright © SkateLog.com
Picture this: Instead of cars and trunks battering the pavement of Your
City, USA, there is only you and the skates under your feet. Acres of
asphalt meander and twist over freeway overpasses and onramps that melt into
side roads, beach paths and two-way streets that weave through sleepy parts
of a city whose well-kept gardens explode with geraniums from porch to
sidewalk. People clinching steaming mugs of coffee cheer from curbside.
Cheer for you. If you are like me, you'll finish tenth to last out of the
704 skaters, but you put extra oomph in your push as you pass, for good
measure. Water is thrust at you every few miles by some of the 1,300
volunteers, which include the National Guard and Navy cadets. Ah, life is
good for the skater. A Cliff Bar gel-raspberry something-awaits you at the
top of the next hill. Around the bend, the opposite side of the street
erupts with runners while a single wheel chair makes its way in the middle,
otherwise empty lane. Police populate intersections, keeping cross streets
clear of traffic. What a scene! No automobiles, only cops, cones and folks
pointing you into your proper lane. This is no fantasy; this is the
Long Beach Marathon.
Skaters - Share Your Experiences
Did you experience this event on October 13 of this year? If not, do it
next year. If you did, I would like to interview you about the marathon and
what made it interesting-the people who participated. I am particularly
interested in recreational skaters-folks who will never come in first,
second, third or 200th, but feel like winners for getting out of the box and
showing up. Were you nervous? What inspired you sign up in the first place?
Did you think you would finish? What was the best part? After taking on this
endeavor, do you feel like you can conquer challenges in your everyday
world?
The resulting articles will be published in magazines and newspapers. The
audience is not necessarily skaters, but many may want to give the sport a
try after reading about your experience. Please contact me at
suzandavis@rcsis.com. I am a journalist and author of an inline skating
book,
Babes on Blades: Drop Physical, Mental and Spiritual Flab Through
Inline Skating.
Babes on Blades
Article copyright © Suzan Davis
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Kathie Fry, SkateLog Editor
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