Skating after a long absence/questions

[ngcskate]

I skated on a public adult only session today, my first time on ice in probably 10 years. I used to do synchro (masters) and had passed my first dance level, but today I was scared to even do a crosscut. My skates felt off, the ice was hard and my blades were skidding. I was kind of disappointed. I'd like to get back into skating but it seems near impossible right now. Anyone been in a similar situation that can give me some tips? I'm going to get my skates sharpened and keep going - probably 2 times a week on the public session to start.

 

[Vash01]

I skated on a public adult only session today, my first time on ice in probably 10 years. I used to do synchro (masters) and had passed my first dance level, but today I was scared to even do a crosscut. My skates felt off, the ice was hard and my blades were skidding. I was kind of disappointed. I'd like to get back into skating but it seems near impossible right now. Anyone been in a similar situation that can give me some tips? I'm going to get my skates sharpened and keep going - probably 2 times a week on the public session to start.

I had taken skating lessons (private) for over 22 years. I have not skated for the last 3 years. I want to start skating again, knowing that it will feel odd initially. If I can find the time for it, I would very much like to start going to public sessions. My skates are fine, I am sure.

What you are feeling us perfectly normal. I think you will start feeling comfortable again. Be patient with yourself.

I went through a similar thing with oil painting. I did not paint for 10 years, then I took a two hour class. It felt odd to even hold a brush. After doing painting f for about 2-3 days I started feeling normal again.

 

[Bunny Hop]

I skated on a public adult only session today, my first time on ice in probably 10 years. I used to do synchro (masters) and had passed my first dance level, but today I was scared to even do a crosscut. My skates felt off, the ice was hard and my blades were skidding. I was kind of disappointed. I'd like to get back into skating but it seems near impossible right now. Anyone been in a similar situation that can give me some tips? I'm going to get my skates sharpened and keep going - probably 2 times a week on the public session to start.

I skated and took group lessons as a teenager, and then barely skated until I was in my thirties. I had lost any confidence I originally had and everything was difficult, even just proper stroking. My biggest piece of advice - don't start comparing yourself to anyone else, including other adult skaters (am assuming you're an adult). Second, give yourself time, and set modest goals at first, even if it's just to do one crossover (or whatever). At first it's better to make a plan for what you want to attempt each session, rather than looking into the future. That can come later, once you've got your basic skating back in order.

"The Fear", as I call it, is strong in adults, but it can be managed, and it gets easier to manage once you start to regain skills, i.e. it becomes easier to push past the initial terror and realise you actually can do things. I strongly recommend taking a few private lessons with a sympathetic coach who is used to dealing with adult skaters. A good coach will know how to push you to do more but without scaring you too much - confidence tends to follow, and you start to ask to do more.

 

[clairecloutier]

@ngcskate I have taken 2 long breaks from skating in my life. The first time, I was off the ice for probably 20 years. The second time, 12 years.

Both times, I managed to come back & get back into it. I would say in both cases, it was probably a month-long process of skating maybe once to twice a week before I felt comfortable getting back into crossovers, turns, little jumps, things like that. It's a little scary, but you can do it. No question. Just keep at it. The more you practice, the more your confidence will return!

 

[treesprite]

@ngcskate I have taken 2 long breaks from skating in my life. The first time, I was off the ice for probably 20 years. The second time, 12 years.

Both times, I managed to come back & get back into it. I would say in both cases, it was probably a month-long process of skating maybe once to twice a week before I felt comfortable getting back into crossovers, turns, little jumps, things like that. It's a little scary, but you can do it. No question. Just keep at it. The more you practice, the more your confidence will return!

I had a 17 year break, a 2 year break, and a 4 year break. The first time, after the 17 years, I was jumping and spinning within a month. The last time, it took a little longer, because of the apprehension left over from past injury.

Don't rush yourself if you are apprehensive at all, or out of shape in the areas of the body most used for skating. It is okay to only go for half hour or hour the first couple of times back, until you adjust.

 

[purple skates]

I came back after 20+ years. Getting your skates sharpened is a very good idea. Depending on their condition, the boots may be too old/stiff/broken down for you to feel comfortable.

Beyond that, take it slow and easy. If you keep it up, you’ll be surprised at how much comes back.

 

[aliceanne]

I was in your skates once. I signed up for some really basic group lessons. It was fun, low pressure,and you will need some time to get back in shape. Even if you have maintained your general fitness, skating requires some specific muscles. After a couple of months back on the ice my progress accelerated rapidly.

 

[ngcskate]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Your comments make me feel much better about getting that old feeling back and being comfortable on the ice again. I'm getting the skates sharpened tomorrow and going out again to skate Thursday morning.

 

[Vash01]

Have fun ngcskate!

 

[purple skates]

Have fun @ngcskate!

If you want to return to synchro, there’s a lot of options out there, depending on where you live. We have three masters and two open masters teams in our area.

 

[overedge]

@ngcskate I find it hard to adjust even if I have been off skating for a couple of days or weeks. So after a very long absence it's going to take even more time to adjust.

One thing that I have realized is that the first session or first couple of sessions are going to be me getting back into the groove, and I really had a hard time accepting that. I would really beat myself up over not doing anything that I felt was meaningful or useful. But that just made me even more frustrated! So now I approach it like, these sessions are going to suck and I'm not going to make any progress, but that's OK - it's laying the groundwork so I can start improving again, and so that the sessions after this will be better.

 

[MadMac]

I was off the ice for 16 years! I finally resolved to get back to skating last January and have fallen in love with the sport in a way I never did as a kid who felt pushed into a pursuit I only ever chased half-heartedly and was so relieved to exit when a sprained ankle gave me the out I wanted.

I started out in a group adult class, which, honestly was the best way to go for my flavor of nervousness. The leisurely pace of the class and the camaraderie of my classmates made for a really supportive, accessible atmosphere. That gave me the confidence and refreshed foundation for freestyle sessions, then more group lessons, then private lessons.

It's been 13 months since I started skating again and I'm finding that passion and practice are really great ways to allay adulthood's fears of being trapped in a 33-year-old body that doesn't bounce back like my 16-year-old one once did. I am much more scared of a bad injury now than I was as a young'n, but I also have the drive to progress with every session that Younger Me didn't have in her corner.

Still, it's frustrating to feel yourself regress so much when you used to be so much more adept at it. Patience is huge; practice is crucial. I think finding a community of adult skaters is important, too. Honestly, the hardest thing to overcome (I think) is pride: Stepping onto the ice I have to share with little kids who are a fraction of my age but worlds beyond me as skaters is caps-locked INTIMIDATING to the max! But realizing that I'm not the only one beating back that fear and trying to quiet those self-doubts made me feel so much better about coming back to the ice.

Stick with it and believe in yourself. Set goals but be patient. Push yourself but know what your hard-and-fast limits are. Most of all, just keep coming back. The ice is waiting for you to feel at home again there, I promise. It takes time but you are NOT chasing the impossible! You got this, for sure. Best of luck!

 

[ngcskate]

Finally had the chance to get on the ice again today. In the time between skates I had my skates sharpened and switched to a newer pair of skates that I barely used before I stopped skating. Today went much better! I was able to kind of do stroking and crosscuts. I kept talking to myself and saying "go slow. you can do it. bend your knees!" It felt much better today, I'm going to try again tomorrow. I think my nemesis now is breaking in those skates!