April 2003
My week of exercise was off to a good start with aerobics on Monday, two hours of skating on Tuesday, and a hike on Wednesday. Unfortunately on Wednesday evening, I felt terribly sore. My back ached, my knees, shins, shoulders and thighs ached. Initially, I panicked. Had my body finally collapsed, even though I have deleted the rigorous jumping from my skating practices? Am I simply too big to skate at all? Am I too fat for aerobic dancing? While this may sound absurd, I am a large person. No matter how much weight I lose, I cannot make myself petite. I cannot shrink my skeleton. I am not tiny. I never was. I wondered if my choice of sports is simply too intense for someone my size. Maybe I should be swimming or paddling a canoe, something that would inflict less pounding on the joints.
In the absence of other symptoms, I attributed the muscular discomfort to athletic over-kill that has been going on for years. The next morning I could not get out of bed. Accompanying the pain, I cycled between shivering and sweating. My face burned with fever. I had the flu. It was only the flu. Thank Goodness!
As expected, the muscle aches vanished with the fever, the nasty virus and its toxins obliterated with prescription medication and gallons of water. I look forward to my next week of exercise.
Week of April 6, 2003
An Old Friend
The adult skating world is small. If you keep skating long enough, sooner or later, you will run into people you knew years ago at other rinks. This happened to me this week. Since the last time I saw Yvonne*, I have changed rinks and coaches twice. Once in a while, during the summer, I will revisit the facility where Yvonne and I met about seven years ago. However, our paths had not crossed until she came to my current rink for a lesson. We recognized each other immediately.
Yvonne was a beginning adult skater: very stiff, slow, and cautious. Yet, she loved to dress for the sport in a skating skirt, tights, and a pretty embroidered sweater. She tied up her hair in a ponytail with a scrunchy, like one of the pampered little starlets. A beautiful woman by nature, Yvonne would make an even lovelier picture if she could skate. When she walked into the building, I was anxious to see how far she had come in the five years since our last meeting.
Poor Yvonne’s skating has barely changed. Maybe she strokes a little bit faster, but she was ploddingly slow before. She worked on edges on a hockey line with her instructor and could barely do the backward variants, and the backward insides hardly at all. This woman still looks like she belongs in a beginning group class. However, I admire her tenacity and positive attitude. Yvonne smiled with delight as she skated and told me how much she loves this challenging, difficult sport. My old friend has persevered where lesser souls would have quit. She truly enjoys whatever she can manage on the ice. Since none of us is going to the Olympics, the differences in our abilities might as well be lost in the round-off error.
Certainly, my skating may not appear advanced beyond what Yvonne remembers from years ago. No axel exists where there used to be none, and I cannot soar over the ice in a double of any sort. I am not tearing up the rink with advanced footwork. Developments in my proficiency are probably subtle, and the casual observer might not notice them at all. I have learned some basic ice dances and probably skate faster. In fact, I know I skate faster, and my single jumps are bigger. My spin repertoire is more complete and includes a few novel variations. This week I completed an excellent backspin. Rotating comfortably on the blade’s rocker, I pulled in generating sufficient centrifugal force to cause a wad of tissue to fly out of my jacket pocket. Now that’s a strong backspin!
Yvonne had always been an admirer of my spins. When she introduced me to her coach, a sour-pussed eastern European, Yvonne warmly added: “Kay does beautiful spins!” The coach looked at me as though she smelled raw sewage. Her eyes narrowed. “Yes, I’ve seen her.” Although I have never actually met this pro before, she has apparently noticed me in some rink or another over the last couple of years. I did not know how to interpret the coach’s reaction and simply excused myself, leaving my friend to her lesson.
Hopefully, Yvonne will become a regular at our sessions. I always enjoy the company of other adult skaters.
* Not her real name.
Week of April 13, 2003
A New Friend
There are not enough adult skaters in the world, and certainly there never seem to be enough at the rinks I frequent. Whenever I skate, I always hope another adult will arrive for the session. Aside from the pleasurable sensation of gliding over the ice and the accompanying exercise, skating offers social benefits. Over the years, I have made many friends in ice arenas. Although I do not compete, I still share a special camaraderie with other adult participants. Many of the adults I know do not compete, and few test seriously. Most have dabbled in testing, as I have, and either find it too nerve wracking or simply have no interest.
The appearance of a new face incites the curiosity of other adults in attendance. What can the newcomer do? What are his or her strengths? How long has s/he been skating? Is s/he any good? This week, the regulars and I had the opportunity to wonder these things about a new adult skater at our rink. I was not especially impressed with her skills, particularly her spiral. This arabesque characterized stereotypical “adult skating”. The woman’s leg extended to the side as well as behind her body. Her knee remained grossly bent. The picture only lacked a fire hydrant and a stream of yellow liquid.
However, just as everyone has weaknesses, every skater possesses certain strengths. This person’s jumps had a nice springing quality. While she did not display mastery over any jump, she warmed up each element, first two-footing, under-rotating, or falling. Eventually, she landed acceptable versions, carrying a decent amount of speed through each preparation. By the end of the session, she completed several good lutz jumps.
Helena* and I finally had a conversation when she asked me to demonstrate my unique attitude spin variation. Helena had admired the spin and wanted to learn it. After dispensing my (requested) advice, I noticed my new acquaintance practicing the spin diligently throughout the session. Helena said she had only been skating for about two years. She struggles with spinning, but has more success with jumps. The contrasting quality of her flip jump and camel spin made this obvious. Although Helena’s skating had not previously impressed me, considering she had only been involved in the sport for two years placed her accomplishments in a different light. Two years into my skating odyssey, I certainly could not match Helena’s jumping proficiency. She also covers the ice swiftly with minimal extraneous movements. Her spins may not be beautiful, but she has achieved a respectable set of foundation skills. Helena claims she became involved in ice skating because she wants to compete.
Another adult skater always enriches the environment at the rink. Mature skaters learn from and motivate each other. The person also becomes a friend, adding to the social enjoyment of skating. I encouraged Helena to continue to skate with us, and I hope to see her regularly in the future.
* Not her real name.
Week of April 20, 2003
Maiden Roller Voyage
Almost every school in the area has spring break this week. I have learned my lesson about trying to skate on a school holiday. The rinks are absolutely mobbed and certainly not worth my long drive; although I debated going at least once anyway. Instead, I went to aerobics class and took this season’s maiden roller voyage in the park.
After a long winter, I happily laced up my quad roller skates on a familiar bench. The day was supposed to be warm and sunny. However, the sky refused to clear and the wind blew bitterly. Joggers rounded the paved trail wearing gloves, hats, and jackets. I had to scrounge a pair of suede gloves out of the glove compartment of my car and strap my wrist guards over them. Fortunately, I also had a fleece vest in the backseat to layer over my sweatshirt. Fierce gusts of wind almost precluded any forward motion as I fought through intermittent bursts. Regardless of the unexpected chill, I enjoyed being outside looking at the budding trees and green grass. The drab lifeless world was finally becoming a kaleidoscope of color and fragrance.
Distance skating utilizes muscles differently than freestyle. Strokes tend to be shorter and less deliberate. I rarely hold extensions or point my toes. I felt the muscles in my backside working as I pushed myself forward. Distance skating might reawaken muscles only used in the brutal body-sculpting segment of my aerobics class.
While I love ice skating, there is something magical about the soothing sound of polyurethane wheels traversing smooth asphalt. It is hypnotic and relaxing. Maybe in reminds me of my childhood. I rarely ice skated as a young person, but I always owned a cheap pair of roller skates. I loved roller skating in the street, the garage, or a neighbor’s driveway. A trip to a roller rink (with a deliciously smooth floor) was a special treat. I always relished the feel of wheels under my feet allowing the wondrous sensation of gliding. Quads were my only skating option during childhood. And I adored it. Even though I have discovered the ecstasy of ice, moving on a set of wheels still captures my imagination. I am a true skating fanatic. I love to skate on virtually any contraption that will propel my body forward.
As soon as I left the park, the sky cleared and the sun shined brightly, the equivalent of the a huge group of rowdies leaving the ice as soon as I pull my feet out of my boots.
Week of April 27, 2003
Positive Self-Image
I bought two stretch camisole tops to bring on vacation week after next. As a big girl, I did not exactly expect to look good in these tops, though they would allow my shoulders to get some sun. I rat-holed the garments, almost afraid to try them on. However, I finally summoned the courage. They would either be acceptable or I would return them to the store. With an air of trepidation, I approached the bathroom mirror to survey the damage. I could hardly believe the beautiful slim woman in the mirror was actually my reflection!
These tops are definitely a keeper. I plan to go back and buy one in every color. It has been ages since I could wear something so skimpy and actually look attractive. Just a few years ago, a skirted skating leotard made me look like an elephant in a tutu. I felt so confident that I donned a recently sewn stretch blouse with angel sleeves and a pair of jazz pants to wear to the rink. Usually I dress in heavy clothes for practical reasons. I skate in a very cold rink. However, spring has finally arrived and the outdoor climate raises the ambient temperature of the arena. Several people commented on how good I looked and how much weight I have shed.
I wish I could attribute the change in my physical appearance to ice skating. However, credit rightly belongs to my aerobics class. I have been attending aerobics two or three times per week since last August. In a one-hour session, I probably burn more calories than in two or three hours of skating. My heart rate remains elevated continuously; whereas, on the ice, I take breaks to chat, clear my nasal passages, and page through dance diagrams. Some people claim skating is not aerobic exercise at all. Personally, I disagree. While standing on a hockey line practicing three-turns may not significantly increase cardiovascular activity; program skating, laps of dance patterns and moves in the field definitely do. My conversion to ice dancing has probably contributed to weight loss success.
Since my husband’s surgery, we have further modified our diets. For the last few years, we have eaten a low-fat, high fiber diet. Unfortunately, we probably consumed too much of a good thing. Smaller portions and reduced snacks have undoubtedly helped. As deprivation can lead to binging, I still allow myself certain indulgences. I am better served by enjoying sweets once or twice per week than fighting my cravings and finally gorging on a whole cheesecake. The other nights, we have replaced dessert with flavored decaffeinated coffee, which satisfies my need for an after-dinner treat.
I skated very well in my slinky outfit. The ice felt perfectly frictionless under my blades. I stroked powerfully around the rink and performed my personal best series of stars. My split jumps seemed a little higher and my spins a little faster. Maybe this is purely psychological, but skating is a mental sport as well as a physical one. A person with a positive self-image is bound to skate better than one who feels like a dowdy old frump.
 |
 |
 |
The content of this site is copyright by K. J. N., 1999 - 2003