"Have you quit skating? We never see you anymore."
That's the text message I just received from one of my skating friends. I haven't been skating this month. Oh, I had one lesson early on and I took a few laps around the ice during the Caps Season Ticker Holder Skate at the Verizon Center, but that's it really.
My excuses:
- I've been sick -- I spent the better part of three weeks in bed or on the couch. Pro tip: go to the doctor. If I'd gone to the doctor early on I could've felt better in three days instead of three weeks.
- I've been lazy -- I just haven't felt like skating and since I knew I wouldn't be having a lesson anytime soon, there really wasn't any urgency. (When Dmytri's away Michelle will play...or lay on the couch watching trash tv.)
- I got hurt -- Bloody, bruised and swollen knee. I can put weight on it but the thought of falling on my banged up knee...*shudders.*
Here are some ways to keep your skates from getting rusty:
- Put it on your calendar -- I actually block out skating time in my calendar. Somehow seeing it in black and white on my calendar makes me more likely to do it. (I also schedule my gym work outs. I'm an organized nerd.)
- Put your skates where you can see them -- Shoving your skates in the back of the closet is a surefire way to "forget" to skate. I keep my skate bag in my home gym, a room I go into every day, so I can't forget I own them. Some folks keep their skates in their car, eliminating the I-left-my-skates-at-home excuse.
- Be accountable to someone -- I once had a personal trainer who would text me everyday to make sure I'd worked out. It kept me honest. Having someone (another skater, coach, spouse, random Twitter follower) asking if you're skating can be pretty motivating.
- What am I missing? -- If you're an adult skater you've got to have tricks for keeping at it. What do you do?
So Monday I will go skating. It's on my calendar. Can someone send me a reminder text?
Oh I will be sure to tweet you on Monday... :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm very sorry to hear you've been so sick. How miserable!!
Here are a few things that help me:
Kid skates too:
I am lucky to have a built in motivator - since my daughter skates too and we both have a set lesson/practice schedule, it's pretty straightforward to keep to the routine.
Set lesson schedule:
I think a set lesson schedule helps a lot. Unless there is a competition or out of town travel (minimal), our lessons are always at the same time every week. And if I were to not practice, then I'd get the same lesson every week...witness my endless struggle with relearning the toe loop this summer, until I decided I'd better just practice the heck out of the darn thing and get it over with.
Set practice schedule:
I think FIA is a little bit unusual in this regard, but we have the option of a monthly contract for set freestyle practice ice times (a la carte - you choose what days & times), which gives you a bit of a price break & ensures a spot. But if you don't skate your contracted session, you've thrown your $$ away (though there are provisions for switching and some makeups). So that's a good motivator too.
Goals:
Fear of making a complete idiot of myself at my first return competition in May keeps me practicing (and not eating chocolate, ice cream or carbs... skating dress. skating dress. skating dress. in front of other people.)
Insanity
I can't not skate. It is an almost visceral need for the ice. I think maybe I need professional help for this one.
And I completely sympathize with your poor knee. I beat the everloving heck out of my left knee (I nearly cried, it REALLY REALLY hurt), and though I kept skating I could not IMAGINE falling on it again. Check out Skating Safe.com - thin gel pads that are very comfortable to wear and they work. I now wear one on my knee at all times. Though this stuff is expensive, I see no reason to skate in pain/fear of pain. I also have had a problem with my right heel killing me on jump landings, so I bought a crazy expensive ($25) pad for that too. Worth every cent b/c it feels totally fine with the pad.
I hope you are back out there soon!
JAckson Mystques there in the picture?
ReplyDeleteEmily D -- Great stuff! But I must focus on the most important part...you're competing! In a skating dress! You know this means you're amazingly cool.
ReplyDeleteBabbette -- So close! They're Jackson Classiques. You've got a good eye.
Haha thanks Michelle... not sure about cool but definitely certifiable (as in, insane).
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth was I thinking when I said yes?!
Emily D -- Sometimes I think all adult skaters are a little certifiable. I mean, we have choices. I could spend my time and money laying on the beach in Turks and Caicos sipping fruity adult beverages. Instead, I spend my time and money freezing to death in an ice rink trying to balance on thin pieces of metal...on a slippery surface. They don't serve Rum Punch at the rink.
ReplyDeleteYou said yes because you're awesome! And fearless. And super-cool. Hmmmm...if the competition is local, maybe I can come cheer for you!
Beach....rum punch....mmmm
ReplyDeleteLoving that image, but not enough to give up my skating for it. :).
It actually is local, at least the first one. At Fairfax on the first weekend in May. If I am brave enough I will let everyone know when. I am so silly, the first time I ever competed I would not let anyone come (except my coach, of course).
Aw, Michelle, now I feel guilty . .. not guilty enough to go tonight where all my skating friends can see the results of my months off the ice, but guilty enough to block off some time to go on Monday during the day.
ReplyDeleteI hope your knee is feeling better! :)
Elsa -- Months off the ice? Oh no! Don't feel guilty, but definitely get back at it if you can. I've missed virtually seeing you around!
ReplyDeleteI banged up my knee badly probably 3-4 months ago (can still feel the bruise); I had to be lifted up by a coach and limp to the barrier, and I couldn't put weight on it for the rest of the day, although oddly the next day if felt better until a few days later a yellow-with-blue-spots bruise appeared.
ReplyDeleteI got volleyball kneepads. I didn't fall on them; all I can say is get the right size, because they sort of hurt my bruise by putting pressure on it.
The Same Anonymous - OW! That sounds awful! But it also sounds like you're back at it, which is good. I fell on pavement, so I had a huge cut to go along with the ridiculous bruise. Once I was able to start physical activity again, I had to bandage up the cut and wear a brace. Not terribly comfortable, but it was enough to start building up strength in the knee again. At this point, I'm almost completely healed. Hope you are too!
ReplyDelete