Daily Lobo: So what brings you to UNM today?
Amanda Velarde: We just came because of the nice weather. We came just to skate and exercise and enjoy the nice summer afternoon.
DL: So why roller skating? Is it, like, practical?
AV: It’s good exercise. I guess it takes a little bit of practice to get the hang of it. She can’t stop (laughs).
DL: Yeah, that stopping thing can be kind of important, huh?
AV: Yes! It’s supposed to be good exercise. It’s supposed to burn 600 calories an hour.
DL: Wow, an hour? Do you go that long?
AV: We’ll probably go an hour today.
DL: So where do you go then? I mean, like where can you go with skates?
AV: We just go all through UNM, all around the duck pond, you know everywhere. We’re just kind of looking at new little areas around the campus.
DL: Does anyone give you weird looks for rollerblading around?
AV: (Laughs) Well, she was on the floor a second ago. A jogger ran past us and she got a pretty interesting look.
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DL: I bet. So how long have you been on skates?
AV: Since I was a kid, probably about 15 years.
DL: Nice, you ever have any gruesome falls?
AV: Normally, I am not the one falling. Whoever is with me falls. One of my sisters almost went into traffic, but she stopped herself and tumbled down a little hill. She didn’t get injured too bad, just some scrapes and bruises.
DL: Otherwise, it’s safe, though?
AV: When you get the hang of it, I guess it is.
~Chris Quintana
