January 2006
Week of January 8, 2006
Forty-Five Minutes
I could not attend the freestyle session this week because I had a meeting after work, which turned out for the best because the session had been terminated due to hockey season. The next day, I decided to try one of the afternoon publics. I have been hoping to squeeze another hour or so of skating into my schedule, and this seemed to be the only viable option. With the freestyle cancelled, it unfortunately is.
Under normal circumstances, I would never consider this session good or even worthwhile. However, when one is starved for ice, one must make allowances. About one third of the rink was coned off for group lessons. I had met one of the instructors while lacing my skates and she told me the rink needs pros to teach classes. Maybe I will look into that more thoroughly. The lessons did not start immediately, and several skaters circled the entire rink, ignoring the cones. I was among them, devouring ice like a hot little kid sucking down a slurpee. There was no shortage of people on the ice, including hockey boys taking lessons and little girls in tutus doing clumsy waltz jumps. But I moved through the rink undisturbed by the surrounding crowd.
I skated freely among the boot-renters, turning one direction then the other in a series of movements that felt natural and fluid. Unable to skate fast, I could perform intricate combinations of footwork without concern for the ominous blade-catch lurking around every corner. I spun in the middle among the frilly-skirted little girls. Everything felt so wonderful. I was having a great time. I did not care about practicing certain skills, I was just skating because I love it. A subtle smile played on my lips the entire forty-five minutes.
Yes, just forty-five minutes. The Zamboni came out forty-five minutes into the session following the first set of group classes. I left to beat the traffic. I can’t remember the last time I left a rink after only forty-five minutes without being seriously agitated. However, this was not a bad compromise. I enjoyed myself and felt motivated to come back again during the week. Planning to skate for only forty-five minutes is a low-commitment proposition. I can certainly find the energy after work to skate for forty-five minutes. And that’s exactly what I planned to do.
Week of January 8, 2005; Part Two
That Freestyle Bitch
Since I deemed the public sessions acceptable for light practice, especially during times of ice famine, I attended another one the same week. The scene was pretty much the same: a section coned off for group lessons, lots of people skating in tedious circles, a few ice guards, little kids in the middle slopping around, etc. So, I did what I did before. No lessons were in progress yet, and I skated the whole surface. A young man in a red rink-issue jacket called out to me that I could not utilize that part of the ice. What was it reserved for, school figures? I pointed out that lessons would not begin for fifteen minutes. “Doesn’t matter,” the fellow shot back petulantly, “You still can’t skate there.”
Fine. I joined the throng that moved en masse like a slime mould around the truncated perimeter. I turned and danced, avoiding human obstacles of all shapes and sizes. I was still having a reasonably good time. Then I decided to claim a place in the center for a few spins. I had not been spinning for two minutes when the same guy told me I could only spin in the central hockey circle. I was incredulous. “All of this ice, and only that space is available for spins?” The young man, about seventeen years old, explained that “they” are really cracking down on “it”. Who are “they” and what is “it”? The management and freestyle skating, I assume.
Annoyed but not deterred, I took my stance in the circle and did a marvelous layback. Little girls started to gather forming a ring of wide eyes, knobby knees, and ponytails all around me. I spun and spun with remarkable power, drilling the ice with each fast spin. The kids decided to get my attention when a female skate guard approached. “Don’t tell me,” I began with mild sarcasm, “you’re going to say I can’t do this.” “Yes, I am,” she replied flatly. We had an exchange. I realize she was only doing her job, but the young man had told me I could spin in the circle. Additionally, a few weeks before, the office staff told me I could freestyle skate in the center of the rink on publics. I asked about it specifically. Again, the mysterious “they” was mentioned. “They” apparently told this girl to tell me to stop spinning.
At my own request, I came face to face with “them”, a humorless woman, standing in the doorway to the ice surface looking up her pointed nose at me. I was not all smiles and pleasantries. I explained the mixed messages I had received. The employees of this facility were obviously not on the same page about public session policies. More likely, a parent of one of the little angels that had been gaping at my pretty laybacks had complained that I might kick a child with my wicked out-of-control blade, when I was the only person with any control or motor skills on the ice. This woman did not give one shit. She would have happily thrown me out, and I knew it. Me and my kind amount to so little revenue, we are not worth pleasing. Let that freestyle bitch walk out in a tiff. Who cares? Skating is for kids and hockey anyway. Screw her if all of the freestyle sessions are offered while she’s at work. The kids who count go to private schools or are tutored anyway. Adult skaters are a waste of ice and a pain in the ass. So I left, and have not been back.
It is hockey season. I have checked three other rinks. None have a session I can attend within reason. I am off-ice again until the high schools pack up their sticks and pucks.
Week of January 15, 2006
Aerobics Instructor?
My husband and I joined the YMCA last September, and we have been working out there regularly. My workouts have included treadmill running, other cardio equipment, various weight machines, swimming, and aerobics class of every variety. I have dabbled in water aerobics, toning; and, most recently, kickboxing. I really love kickboxing. Since I stopped teaching skating last spring, I have longed to participate in another organized sports program. I even considered joining an adult soccer team or some other such venture of which I have no prior knowledge. When I joined the YMCA, I became interested in teaching exercise classes. It was just a passing interest, something vague to think about once in a while. I might ask someone about the requirements if the opportunity ever conveniently presented itself. I do have experience teaching group ice skating, and I have taken aerobics for years.
Well, an opportunity did present itself at a sculpting and toning class. The director of exercise programs taught the class and made a passing comment about instructors driving her crazy because they do not show up when expected. The door was open, and I walked through. This marked the beginning of my quest into becoming an instructor. I explored organizations that certify instructors, classes, schedules, etc. I met with the director to discuss the job itself. People who can teach high impact classes are in demand because many instructors have knee problems and cannot handle the pounding. I am healthy, strong , and have never suffered an injury. I like high-impact classes and would specialize in them. The director was very honest with me about what I could expect. Most people teach aerobics because they love it. It is not a way to get rich, though I gave up that pipedream long ago.
In order to become a legitimate certified group exercise instructor, I would spend about four hundred dollars. Then I would need first aid and CPR certifications to be employed by the YMCA. Additionally, I would have to take pricey continuing education courses yearly. As a nonprofit organization, the Y pays less than private health clubs, as would be expected. However, as a high-impact instructor, I could always get classes at other gyms. In general, aerobics instructors in my area make roughly half to 75% of what I earned as a group skating teacher. As a skating instructor, I was never interested in rink hopping to earn more money, primarily because I already have a full-time job and only wanted to teach skating for experience, fun, and fringe benefits. It was a great deal, in spite of the nepotism issues at the rink.
For a while I hung in limbo, talking to my husband about signing up for expensive training courses. As always, he supported me. Personally, he said, he would not want the commitment of another job at night or on weekends. Worst of all, as a new instructor with no experience or seniority, I would be on call to substitute and might have to run up to the gym for a late evening class when I really would rather relax. At every aerobics class I attended during this period of indecision, I imagined myself leading the class, cuing the movements, and creating routines of my own to lively music. It would certainly benefit my skating to work on choreography of any kind and dance to the beat of music.
The exercise director said many women become aerobics instructors thinking it will be fun. Okay, maybe I am guilty. However, it is hard work. I understand that based on my experiences as a skate pro. As with ice skating, I long to be recognized for my ability. I am getting very good at aerobics. The idea of being considered an expert and performing like one appeals to me. I thought about it some more. Ultimately, at this point in my life, I cannot justify the expense. I would rather channel that money into skating tests, building credentials in my primary sport. I have not abandoned the possibility entirely, but have placed it on hold. If my interest persists and I still cannot find decent ice time into the next year, I may pursue this alternative. However, I sincerely hope this ice shortage does not continue indefinitely.
Week of January 22, 2006
Cholesterol Update
Since receiving the bad news from my doctor a few months ago, I have made an effort to exercise more often and more rigorously. I have also taken fiber, fish oil vitamins, and eaten oatmeal. This week I returned for the results of a recent blood test. My bad cholesterol had not changed one iota. Though disappointed, I realize I cannot reasonably exercise more than I do. I go to the YMCA four or five times weekly and workout for at least an hour and often two hours. My workouts are intense. I do high-impact aerobics, run on the treadmill for a minimum of two miles, swim laps, lift weights, use muscle targeting machines, and stretch. For two hour workouts, I might include all of these activities. The doctor is convinced my cholesterol problem is genetic.
Then there’s the problem of the twenty pounds I regained after returning to full-time employment. I cannot seem to shed this excess mass. When I started running, I predicted the weight would drop off. That never happened. So, here I sit still sporting that extra bit of weight that takes me from being ideal to borderline. Of course, doc wants me to lose these pounds. Easier said than done.
Yes, I like to eat. However, I eat healthy food for the most part. My husband and I do go out for lunch on the weekends, and I am not willing to sacrifice that. I quit smoking about seven years ago, and I do not drink. Lately, I cannot even skate! So eating a yummy meal is about my only personal indulgence. Am I a pig? Not really. Do I eat like a bird? Certainly not. First of all, I am active. I work all day and exercise regularly. Sometimes I come home from a workout and eat a light dinner. Later in the evening, I am starving. Caloric outgo makes a person hungry. As soon as the endorphin rush subsides, I could eat the ass end out of a hobby horse. Yet, I make sensible choices. However, on Saturday, I love a rich lunch at an Indian restaurant, and I will not purge it from my routine. I was honest with the doctor about my nutritional habits. Yes, sometimes I eat fatty food, and I like it. Although I might be able to commit to a low calorie, limited portion diet for a while, I could not sustain it for the long term. I know myself. I am willing to exercise. I love to exercise, but I am not willing to give up the foods I enjoy. This may be the root of my weight problem, in addition to the genetic factor.
In the doctor’s examination room, I read all of the posters during my long wait. One was for a weight-loss medication called “Xenical”. It used to be advertised on television, and I asked a physician about it years ago. He told me it can give oily stools which are hard to control. Pooping in my pants did not sound like the way to go at the time, so I ceased my inquiries right there. However, I pointed to the poster, and asked my current doctor. He also mentioned the stool problem. He told me in plain English “if you fart, you may have an accident”. It still did not sound good. However, he also said if I do not over indulge in fat (greater than 30% of total calories), this is unlikely to be a problem. He wrote a prescription. I had it filled. Maybe it will help. I am also now taking America’s most popular drug, Lipitor, to reduce my bad cholesterol. In a month I will have another blood test. Stay tuned.
January 30, 2006
Playing Hooky
I guess I was sick, if being sick of not skating counts. I took the day off and went to the rink where I met one of my skating friends. Since I had not skated for a few weeks, I was excited the night before. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve.
Being on the ice did not disappoint. Without an agenda of goals, I returned to the ice as though it were my natural element. A lap or two of two-foot slalom blended into stroking which melted easily into alternating crossovers and other field movements. My legs are strong and my endurance is excellent. Nothing remarkable happened during these two precious hours. I did not suddenly go for an axel and magically land it, though that would have been nice (and would read like a blatant exaggeration). However, I also did not suffer from the normal deficiencies associated with lack of practice. I could do pretty much whatever I tried, as though I had been skating regularly.
On a whim, just before I planned to leave, I decided to pull a back sit spin out of a forward inside three- turn. Since the inception of the new Code of Points judging system in eligible skating, I have been fascinated by the spin variations and unusual entrances that have mushroomed in virtually every program. Gone is the standard camel-change-camel-back sit combination and other traditional spinning fare that did little to enhance an athlete’s program. These skills were throw-away “insert spin here” bits that required no thought, creativity, or extra effort. A combination initiated from a back spin was rare and might even constitute a signature move. Many elites mastered one signature combination and used in every single program literally for years. Todd Eldredge comes to mind. Apologies to his fans, certainly many skaters are guilty of recycling spin elements, but Todd’s signature spin combo distinguishes itself in my memory. The combination was interesting (especially when seen of the first, second, or maybe third time) then it became old and boring. Oh, he’s doing that thing again. Maybe it was difficult for him to master at one time, but he certainly could not be challenged by it anymore.
Learning to perform a new spin combination requires a significant investment. Each component must be attractively positioned, fast, and transition smoothly to the next pose. Lacking an evaluation system that rewarded creativity, a skater could be content to acquire one nonstandard combination and use it to death for the rest of his career.
Enter the Code of Points. Now skaters are openly rewarded for spinning, and the discipline has flourished. Variations abound. Backspins are no longer relegated to second place in a combination. Changes of edge add further interest. I am bombarded by good ideas that are far more achievable than double jumping.
Years ago, Geoff, one of my former coaches, tried to teach me to do a back sit spin from a forward inside three-turn as an isolated element. It eluded me completely. Inspired by the intriguing new spin stimuli available on television, I did one just for the heck of it. I actually could not believe how easy it was. Obviously, now I possess the background skill set to make this element possible. None of my subsequent attempts were as good as the first, but I off-handedly completed a move that used to be beyond my reach. Now I want to learn the trendy leaning back sit variations.
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