This is really a two part question... Or two related questions.
1. Is there a good way to more rapidly adjust to the ice as a beginner when first getting out on the rink for a lesson after a 24+ hour break? I keep noticing that I am much steadier and able to do way more after being on the ice for 30+ minutes than I am when I first step out there. It is like I start off on the ice as if I'm still in Basic 2 and then have to slowly work my way up from there over the course of 30 minutes or so every time. It is getting in the way of being able to get the most out of my lessons, which are only a half hour long. I feel like I spend most of the time trying to get my body to perform techniques I can usually do easily and consistently after I've been out there a bit, and am disappointed that I am not seeming to really be able to push my boundaries very much in the short time I have with my coach because of it. I know I would do better if I could get on the ice a few minutes before my lesson, but both my lesson schedule (my coach isn't available during public skate sessions) and the freestyle session rink rules (I'm only Basic 4 and can't be on the ice before my lesson without a coach present until Basic 6) prevent it. So I'm wondering if there might be good things I can do off the ice before my lesson to help me suck less when I first get out there.
2. Is ice skating like riding a bicycle, in that you can step away from the ice for an extended time and then be able to return at roughly the same level as before? I will likely need to have surgery soon and my doc has advised me that I will have to take an "extended leave" from skating and ballet during recovery. Apparently that can mean weeks or months depending on what my surgeon recommends. I have only been skating 2 months, and worry that when I come back, I will have start off again from, like, clinging to the wall and then work my way back up to Basic 4 over another 2 months (or more, since I'm probably going to be weaker and more out of shape when I return if I can't exercise much during recovery). In your experience, does it come back quickly after returning to the ice? Or am I going to have to start all over?
1. Is there a good way to more rapidly adjust to the ice as a beginner when first getting out on the rink for a lesson after a 24+ hour break? I keep noticing that I am much steadier and able to do way more after being on the ice for 30+ minutes than I am when I first step out there. It is like I start off on the ice as if I'm still in Basic 2 and then have to slowly work my way up from there over the course of 30 minutes or so every time. It is getting in the way of being able to get the most out of my lessons, which are only a half hour long. I feel like I spend most of the time trying to get my body to perform techniques I can usually do easily and consistently after I've been out there a bit, and am disappointed that I am not seeming to really be able to push my boundaries very much in the short time I have with my coach because of it. I know I would do better if I could get on the ice a few minutes before my lesson, but both my lesson schedule (my coach isn't available during public skate sessions) and the freestyle session rink rules (I'm only Basic 4 and can't be on the ice before my lesson without a coach present until Basic 6) prevent it. So I'm wondering if there might be good things I can do off the ice before my lesson to help me suck less when I first get out there.
2. Is ice skating like riding a bicycle, in that you can step away from the ice for an extended time and then be able to return at roughly the same level as before? I will likely need to have surgery soon and my doc has advised me that I will have to take an "extended leave" from skating and ballet during recovery. Apparently that can mean weeks or months depending on what my surgeon recommends. I have only been skating 2 months, and worry that when I come back, I will have start off again from, like, clinging to the wall and then work my way back up to Basic 4 over another 2 months (or more, since I'm probably going to be weaker and more out of shape when I return if I can't exercise much during recovery). In your experience, does it come back quickly after returning to the ice? Or am I going to have to start all over?