So, I have been ice skating since January 2017, around mid-January to give an approximate feel to time. Throughout this year I was lucky if I could get two days on the ice, which is due to college. Thus, on average from the last week of January to May I was only able to skate Friday and Saturday for about 2 hours at a time; there were occasions when I was able to skate more, but that was very seldom. During the summer, I was able to skate a day a week for 3 hours at a time. Therefore, I have been running and lifting more to increase endurance and strength; also, I have been stretching and can now do both types of splits, which now I am advancing to over-splits.
During my time of ice skating I have learned how forward and backward crossovers with both legs/feet, doing at least 20 (most likely more) revolutions with two-footed spins in both directions, learning lunges with both legs and a few successfully attempts at the Johnny Weir lunge; I’ve also learned how to 3-turns, mohawks, Beillmanns (not the spins), Choctaw, brackets, and counter turns, all of the elements can be demonstrated on both feet. Currently, trying to learn how to do 1-footed spins to do layback spins, camel spins, and other elements, as well as cleaning up and getting comfortable with waltz jumps.
This summer I was able to buy new skates, Jackson Competitors, to replace my pre-owned Riedell Emeralds. I went to a skate shop near my local area to get properly sized and outfitted in accordance to the owners, a very nice couple that have been in the skating business for over 20 years; also, I went on a trip to Canada and got a second shop opinion from a more well-known store, which is where I bought my new skates and they were the same brand and size as the 1st skate shop recommended for me. Currently, I am still trying to break in the Competitors because with being back at college, as with what my schedule dictates, I can’t skate enough to break them in faster.
I will be honest, I haven’t had any formal coaches yet. I have been learning how to skate through videos and watching more advanced skaters skate, and occasional getting their help to learn elements and tricks, I do have a local rink friend that is in a figure skating club and does teach me from time to time or to perfect an element so it is correct. Also, I don’t know where and even if skating will do anything for me besides a hobby because I do realize that I did turn 21 years old this year and that I have only just begun skating and will need a coach. However, nothing has ever made me this happy in my entire life, which says a lot because with being 21 I can go to the bar or getting my license a few years back now; all of my closest friends that have seen me before and after skating have all said the exact same thing, “you’re happier and more relaxed after,” “you have this light, or glow to you when you skate like its where you’re supposed to be,” and “you’re good! A natural!” Not to mention when I go to public skates with my friends and their friends/significant others I am always asked if I am a professional skater, or asked if I can teach people things because they think that I have been skating for years rather than months; I've had a coach during an afternoon skate stop by at the end of her lesson with a kid and compliment my footwork, while asking me about my coach and programs only to be highly surprised when I tell her the truth - she offered information if I wanted a coach.
So, all in all . . . I am just curious to see where I lay in the spectrum of skating. I understand that with my age I will not be doing anything grand like the Olympics or things and such, but knowing what I could do would be a goal I could work towards because, like I said, nothing has every made me happier in my entire life, or has come as easily as skating.
Sidenote: if you're going to say something negative, please don't
During my time of ice skating I have learned how forward and backward crossovers with both legs/feet, doing at least 20 (most likely more) revolutions with two-footed spins in both directions, learning lunges with both legs and a few successfully attempts at the Johnny Weir lunge; I’ve also learned how to 3-turns, mohawks, Beillmanns (not the spins), Choctaw, brackets, and counter turns, all of the elements can be demonstrated on both feet. Currently, trying to learn how to do 1-footed spins to do layback spins, camel spins, and other elements, as well as cleaning up and getting comfortable with waltz jumps.
This summer I was able to buy new skates, Jackson Competitors, to replace my pre-owned Riedell Emeralds. I went to a skate shop near my local area to get properly sized and outfitted in accordance to the owners, a very nice couple that have been in the skating business for over 20 years; also, I went on a trip to Canada and got a second shop opinion from a more well-known store, which is where I bought my new skates and they were the same brand and size as the 1st skate shop recommended for me. Currently, I am still trying to break in the Competitors because with being back at college, as with what my schedule dictates, I can’t skate enough to break them in faster.
I will be honest, I haven’t had any formal coaches yet. I have been learning how to skate through videos and watching more advanced skaters skate, and occasional getting their help to learn elements and tricks, I do have a local rink friend that is in a figure skating club and does teach me from time to time or to perfect an element so it is correct. Also, I don’t know where and even if skating will do anything for me besides a hobby because I do realize that I did turn 21 years old this year and that I have only just begun skating and will need a coach. However, nothing has ever made me this happy in my entire life, which says a lot because with being 21 I can go to the bar or getting my license a few years back now; all of my closest friends that have seen me before and after skating have all said the exact same thing, “you’re happier and more relaxed after,” “you have this light, or glow to you when you skate like its where you’re supposed to be,” and “you’re good! A natural!” Not to mention when I go to public skates with my friends and their friends/significant others I am always asked if I am a professional skater, or asked if I can teach people things because they think that I have been skating for years rather than months; I've had a coach during an afternoon skate stop by at the end of her lesson with a kid and compliment my footwork, while asking me about my coach and programs only to be highly surprised when I tell her the truth - she offered information if I wanted a coach.
So, all in all . . . I am just curious to see where I lay in the spectrum of skating. I understand that with my age I will not be doing anything grand like the Olympics or things and such, but knowing what I could do would be a goal I could work towards because, like I said, nothing has every made me happier in my entire life, or has come as easily as skating.
Sidenote: if you're going to say something negative, please don't