Hi!
Yesteday I started skating again after 4 years of inactivity. I used to be a novice and skated a lot. now I'm 21 and I decided to come back as an adult because I missed it. Yesterday was my first day at the rink I was so happy and even if my jumps where a little bit unsteady I have made a normal training (like I used to do before) and I finished my hour of skating very happily.
The problem came when I got home. I was very very very tired and went to sleep very soon. But I couldn't sleep, I felt like if I had fever but I didn't and my brain couldn't stop thinking about the jumps and about spins.
I was feeling so bad and anxious that I couldn't sleep even if I was so tired.
my dad said that it happened because I forced too much (maybe I shouldn't have jumped so much).
I was so happy at the rink and now I feel so sad and I'm afraid that it will happen again.

I'm writing because I wanted to know if someone else had this same experience..I need to be reassured by someone who now how is skating...

thank you all!

Don't worry. It's probably because you haven't skated for some time and you need to get back into it. Certainly don't feel sad! It sounds like you did really well after so much time off. Skating is physically demanding and if you've been inactive for some time - or even if you've been active but using different muscle groups - you will feel it a bit to begin with. Have a day or two to get over your first day back then go and skate again. An hour is probably about right at this point. I'm sure it will get easier and you'll feel less tired after each session! Good luck.

I think you just got excited - that's all. It happens to me from time to time, especially when I have a remarkably good session. I keep thinking about skating and doing elements over and over in my had. If it gets really bad, I just take a couple of herbal "calm down" pills, make myself a hot drink and put warm socks on. You may also want to do some stretching / relaxation / meditation exercises before going to bed on your skating day.

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My other car is a Zamboni

Sometimes, on days I have a lesson, I get so excited that I can't wait to get to the rink (sounds funny when you realize that I'm 43...) Then I'm so wound up from skating, even though I'm beat! I usually have a routine to follow: write in my journal, shower, eat. It helps unwind me.

Also, you have to realize (and I'm sure you do, since you jump) that this is a very physically demanding sport which also helps to key you up, so unwinding is very important. The mental aspect is there also. I'm sure most of us dream jumps and spins. The thing not to do is beat yourself up over mistakes made (you know-rerun them over and over again) because that can make you sick. Acknowledge a mistake, know the correction and move on. If you get stuck on something, move on to something else and come back to it later.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

When I was 16 I took judo lessons, and I well remember feeling exactly like that the night after my first one.

It will go away! Don't worry about it.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

thank you so much for your support!!
I'm feeling a lot better now and reading your comments reassured me a lot
I have bought some herb tea to drink tonight..and I'm feeling more calm, hopefully I will be able to have a better sleep..

[QUOTE=Skate@Delaware]Sometimes, on days I have a lesson, I get so excited that I can't wait to get to the rink (sounds funny when you realize that I'm 43...) Then I'm so wound up from skating, even though I'm beat! I usually have a routine to follow: write in my journal, shower, eat. It helps unwind me. [\QUOTE]

I'm older than you, have been skating FOREVER and still get excited every time I go to the rink. I refer to it as the "skating high" -- I am sure there are pheremones involved (is that the word? whatever it is that gets released when you exercise or experience something that gives you great pleasure...).

Glad you're back, florence -- you will be fine!!

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Florence, it's so exciting that you have come back to the ice! I would have been too excited to sleep, too! Stretching before bed is EXELLENT advice, since it will help you calm down and also since you are using muscles you haven't used for awhile and it will help keep you from getting sore the next day or pulling a muscle.

Tell me about these herbal calm down pills -- does it help the heart rate lower down when testing MIF? I sure needed something this past Monday and didn't know what to use?

Oh, Florence,

I just thought of something. Sometimes if i haven't skated regularly and go skate hard, i get OVERTIRED, and it is just awful. It's like you described, just constantly tossing and turning, and i think my muscles are just yelling at me. So, go back, get on that horse, and pace yourself. Try to do a lot of off-ice conditioning (stairs, stretching, etc.) see if that helps.

Anyone with small children will recognize this (although it definitely happens to adults as well!) It really does sound like overtiredness. With my 5 year old we tell her "she doesn't know if she is coming or going." She will be so tired after a particularly good skating session and then she can't go to sleep at night until I lie down beside her and sing her to sleep.

Don't worry, being an adult you'll get back into a routine soon enough. Playing some quiet music while you're trying to sleep might help as well.

I agree with the others. It was probably a combination on being overly excited and overly exhausted! The first thing that you need to do is stop worrying! You will eventually fall asleep, and worrying about it will just keep your mind working at night.

Start a routine before going to bed at night. Do something that relaxes you. Meditate, read, drink chamomile tea (it has a calming effect),do some light stretching - whatever works for you. My favorite is to take a nice warm bath with lavender essential oil. (Lavender essential oil is made from the lavender plant, and it has sedative properties. If you put a few drops in the tub, you'll get the full effects of it because you will be absorbing it through your pores and breathing in the vapors. You can find lavender essential oil on-line at www.sweetcakes.com and www.snowdriftfarms.com. It's a little bit expensive, but it lasts forever, since you only need a few drops.)

I think that everyone has trouble sleeping at one time or another, the trick is to not worry about it! Also, make sure that you aren't skating, or doing any other strenuous activity late in the evening. Relax, and take a bath! And, if you're 21, you can have a glass of wine with that bath too!!!

welcome back florence! can we expect you in Dallas in March!?

You just overdid it. Don't worry.

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Champagne in 2005, 2008, 2009 - who's next out of the pre-bronze club...?

Wang chung!

Thank you so much all of you..you are all so sweet

I have spoken to my coach and she agreed that we overdid a little.. next time we will take it more easily!! On monday I'll have my next session..and I'll try to follow all your advices

ehehe a glass of wine would be great


Thank you!! I'd love too..but unluckily I live in Italy..