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Remember how I took part in the Special K bloggers challenge back before Christmas? Well I’m finally doing the things I pledged to do, and I couldn’t be happier about it! I’ve really been enjoying my past week or so off work before I go to Australia in 2 weeks, I’ve been going swimming, getting to some exercise classes (legs bums and tums definitely almost killed me), and I’ve finally gotten back into ice-skating!
I took skating classes for six years, I did my grades 1-10, and then did my bronze, silver and gold after my grades. I absolutely loved it, it just felt so freeing, but I had to stop when we moved to Australia. After a year of living in Australia I got back on the ice…and broke my sternum. Smooth move huh. Since then my confidence plummeted, so this week has been pretty big for me.
Those first tentative steps on the ice I felt like I was 10 years old again. I felt like bambi, but after a few steps I felt that familiar freeing sensation as I glided (with a couple of small stumbles) around the rink. It took a while, but before I knew it I was gliding on one foot again and I finally relaxed a bit. It really was a big accomplishment for me this week!
It also reminded me about everything bad about public skating sessions, every time someone with hire skates stumbled past me I’d freeze up and just stop, terrified they were going to crash into me or fall and grab hold of me. And what is it with hire skate people who skate right behind you like a shadow!? GTFO! I need my personal space! Also, ice hockey guys. I hate them with a passion, they destroy the rink so there’s clumps of ice everywhere and cut it all up. And they skate so fast it feels like a tornado rushing past you almost knocking you over!
Anyway, apart from that I had a great time and can’t wait to get back on the ice tomorrow! I think I’m gonna go to the sessions on weekends though as well, they’re for figure skates only, so that way I avoid the hirers and ice-hockey people. My aim for my next session is to get the confidence to try crossovers (literally the simplest move ever…they just require you to trust yourself, which I really need to re-learn) and skating backwards again. Wish me luck!
Catherine Lux
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
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OMG good luck. I love skating and would love lessons but have never had the chance for them, and I fear that now I'm too old and the fear has set in too much< i can skate pretty well forwards but am not so good at backwards and certainly couldn't do any crossovers. x
Thanks!
You should just go for it – it's never too late!
C x