Skating Success!
I went ice skating this morning, first time for the season and first time since mid-April. I had to psyche myself up to get back on the ice, I was nervous about how it would go. That’s because I’m 43 years old and I just started to learn how to skate last year! I decided to learn because I want to be able to go skating with my young nephew, who is just learning himself.
Last year starting out it was rough. It took me several sessions to even begin to get the hang of it, but then I steadily improved. Then, at the beginning of January I had a fall and sprained my wrist and bruised up my forearm. I had to change my workouts to allow for healing time and it was about 6 weeks before I could push up any kind of heavy weight on the barbell. Through it all though I kept a positive attitude, and I kept skating once a week.
By April I was much more comfortable and felt confident I could keep improving. Then no skating for about 6 months and I find myself feeling like a complete beginner again. Would I struggle like I did the first year? Would I fall and, it’s almost too horrifying to say this, have a serious injury that would set back my training at the gym?
As soon as I stepped onto the ice this morning, all of my worries melted away. I felt very comfortable, had great balance, and I think I skated as good as, or maybe even better than, the end of last season. My endurance was better too, I didn’t need to stop for a break nearly as much. I guess skating is like riding a bike, once your mind and body learn how to work together to make it happen, you never forget how to do it. I’ll skate at least once a week and hopefully continue to improve. By the way, I have no issues with sore calves or inner thighs like I’ve been told many new skaters do….I guess all those leg workouts are paying off big time!
October 21, 2008 at 5:43 am
It’s good to read that your training in the gym is helping with your other activities as well - which I suppose is the real point of working out! I enjoy ice skating, too, though I haven’t done it in years. I recall it being hard on my ankles more so than any other body part. Must be my skates just never have enough support for me - of course they are usually rentals as I don’t own a pair any more. Have fun skating with the nephew!
October 21, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Ice? You got ice there already? Or is this indoor?
October 22, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Awesome. I want to learn… Actually I can skate fine. I just can’t stop skating without a wall or the ground to help me…
October 23, 2008 at 11:02 am
It’s indoors at the local hockey rink thankfully…the ponds around here don’t usually freeze over until January…but who knows about this year, it’s so cold today I saw a few snow flakes mixed in with the rain!