Quitting skating...

[Casey]

So last night I went skating again, the 4th time this week. The 2 weeks before I went maybe 1 time each because I was hoping that a bit of a break would be beneficial. It wasn't.

All of my moves are getting worse and less consistant.
All of my jumps are going downhill, getting less height, sloppier landings...I can't manage do do a loop at all anymore.
Spins were getting better there for a while, but not anymore, now I'm just losing the speed and centering that I had attained.
I keep catching the stupid edge of the back of the right blade (the one that's attached to the detaching heel) which is causing falls that otherwise wouldn't happen.
Though I don't notice it when I'm skating, my feet are hurting worse and worse every time I take my skates off, especially the backs of my heels. This is a pretty recent development, and doesn't seem related to the heel problem as BOTH of my feet end up really hurting, not just the right one.
I still can't afford new boots, let alone blades.
I can't afford coaching.

I've been thinking about this over the past 2 or 3 weeks, and grown pretty silent in the meanwhile. Recently I've vented about it to a few friends, whom I appreciate for tolerating it. :P

I've thought about it a lot, and I think I'm going to put skating on hold indefinitely. I need to send my boots back for repair, which means I'll be out of skates for 2 months anyways. Maybe within 2 months without the distraction and expense of skating I can manage to afford new skates which is what I really need. Last night I came home with blisters on my insteps and a pain in my heels that made it hard to walk (they're still numb today), so I'm completely, completely fed up and done with Graf - they're going back immediately and will be advertised for sale first thing when I get them back, for whatever offer somebody cares to make. I don't think I will ever wear them again. :giveup:

I'll probably skate again in time, but not for a while. It's not that I don't want to, but I can't really afford to do it properly and have lost all of the motivation and enthusiasm I once had. Has anybody else here gone through similar?

[TashaKat]

There's no wonder that things aren't working if you're in pain from your boots. Maybe a couple of months off to heal your feet and save up for some new boots will give you the break that you need.

Hopefully you'll come back to it after that, it's a shame to give it all up because of something that isn't really your fault.

All the best x

[luna_skater]

Casey, do you have a coach?

[Casey]

There's no wonder that things aren't working if you're in pain from your boots. Maybe a couple of months off to heal your feet and save up for some new boots will give you the break that you need.
The thing is that it doesn't hurt when I'm skating, only after I'm done and take them off. I can blame the boots for part of the problem, like the extra falls caused by the right blade shifting and catching the ice, but certainly not all of it - I need to face the fact that 90% of the problem here is me instead of looking for something/somebody else to blame.

Casey, do you have a coach?
No, as stated above, I cannot afford one. I'm hoping I can budget things such that I can, even if not that often, after getting new skates.

[TaBalie]

I think your frustrations are valid and normal. My feet hurt when I take my boots off (for about 15 minutes or so)--I think this is because I am still breaking them in (I have the same boots as you I believe, Graf Edmonton Specials).

This is unfortunately an expensive sport. I truly believe you cannot make reliable and safe progress teaching yourself. Have you ever had lessons? There are so many small things that you could be doing that you cannot correct without some sort of coach observing you. For example, I would never know that I drop one of my shoulder when I was entering a flip jump. Does your rink offer group lessons? I love those, even if everyone is at slightly different levels you can really fine-tune your technique on basic moves (three turns, etc) which are the at the core of jumps and spins.

Again, I really think the feet hurting have to do with the boots not being broken in. The boots you (and I have) are incredibly advanced boots, and though they are known to be "easier" to break in, that doesn't mean that it happens overnight. As a side note, have you had them heat molded?

Without a coach or lessons, you have no idea about why your jumps, etc are going wrong. It sucks that this sport is so pricey, but I really recommend (after taking the break that you need) that you get yourself in some sort of lessons ASAP. I skated as a child, so in my head I know how to do everything... When practicing on my own (ie. teaching myself) I made little positive progress--sure I could do the stuff but it was awful. :oops: Since taking lessons again, it is unbelievable the difference it has made.

One more thing... Along with being expensive and inconvienient, this sport is not one where everyone progresses really quickly. It takes time and patience to master the moves and techniques, and we all have plateaus (that last for much longer than a week! :) )

You need to do what is best for you... But consider some of the things I said... Perhaps sell the boots and blades, and buy some boots and blades that are a better match to your skating level--the extra money saved can go towards group lessons. I think you have tons of enthusiasm and talent, and it would be a shame to give up. :bow:

[batikat]

Casey - it woudl be a real shame to give up skating altogether - from your posts here you obviously have some natural ability at skating but you do seem to be proof once again of the fact that buying the most expensive top of the range boots when you are a beginner is really not a good idea - it's uneccessary, and ridiculously expensive when the money would be far better spent on an entry level pair of boots/blades and a good coach (even if only once a week or a fortnight). As you have discovered it is not saving you any money by going directly into high level boots - it is costing you in terms of money, pain and killing your love of the sport.

My suggestion would be to save up a little and get an entry level boot/blade - you don't need any more than that even for double jumps (OK as a man you may need slightly stiffer than the most basic but definitely not the stiffest). Sell your Grafs through your local clubs second hand sale or eBay. Sign up for cheap group lessons or get a coach to give you a lesson as often as possible (15 mins once a week is probably better than 30mins a fortnight and you can get a lot done in 15 mins) Even 15 mins a fortnight would give a coach the chance to correct all those tiny things that are causing your jumps to fail etc. You don't need to go straight into an hour of more of coaching a week.

Hope you can work through this plateau/depression - and we all get those times when we feel we are going backwards rather than progressing - but they make the breakthrough weeks all the sweeter!

[Hannahclear]

I've basically quit before, because I didn't have the money or motivation. My desire to get back into it returned eventually.

If you really feel like you need a break, take one. There's no point in skating unless you really want to. When the time is right, you will have the desire for skating again.

Good luck!

[Casey]

I think your frustrations are valid and normal. My feet hurt when I take my boots off (for about 15 minutes or so)--I think this is because I am still breaking them in (I have the same boots as you I believe, Graf Edmonton Specials).
The boots have only started getting painful in the last couple months, and have only reached the current extremes (pain that lingers for hours) recently. My boots are broken in, they have creases on the sides and such, and are 7 months old now. For the first 4 or 5 months, aside from a short break-in period, they were comfortable. They are not anymore. I've tried different things like bunga pads, thick socks, thin socks, and while sometimes something will help for a short while, it never lasts. They are mostly hurting the bone on the back of my heel, which I'm presuming is because the heels are too wide. Hard to say because it doesn't feel too wide. But these boots don't fit my feet worth a crap. I think for a long time the padding hid that fact, but now as the boots have aged the padding is compressing and more problems are developing.

Yes, I had them heat molded. But there's nothing heat moldable where the bone presses against the back of the boot.

[Casey]

If you really feel like you need a break, take one. There's no point in skating unless you really want to. When the time is right, you will have the desire for skating again.
That is exactly what I hope. I need to sort out my life in general and wait for the AOSS bug to hit again - hopefully I can improve finances a bit in the meanwhile. :P

Don't get me wrong, I *hate* giving up on things, but if I'm not doing it out of desire and happiness, I'm not going to get any better.

I wrote a letter to my grandmother not long ago where I stated that I believed that we should do in life whatever makes us happy...skating is, for whatever reason(s), no longer making me happy.

If it does again in time, great!

[luna_skater]

Casey, I think you would find that a coach would make a WORLD of difference. As others have said, it is impossible to correct your own technique if you can't see yourself! Even video-ing yourself is a poor substitute, because it's not the same as a trained professional being able to help you correct bad habits.

I know coaches/lessons are expensive...but I know you would have an entirely different perspective on skating with an expert to guide you. How many days per week do you usually skate? You could cut back by one day, and spend that money on a once-per-week lesson.

Skating without a coach will do more harm than good, whether you are a beginner or elite. It's amazing the things a good coach can do. I can do the same jump over and over again, without success, getting more frustrated by the moment...my coach can notice one tiny thing I'm doing wrong and the problem is solved.

It sounds like taking a break would be good for you, but once you're ready to start up again, find a coach and you will be glad you did!

[Casey]

And yes, I've had a coach before.

[Debbie S]

It sounds like the boots just aren't right for you. Every boot is different and a lot of times it's trial and error to find the best skate for your feet. Trust me, I've done this 3 times and am still working on it! Whether or not your feet hurt during or after skating, I'd say the boots are definitely the source for the physical problems, and are probably affecting your skating as well.

It sounds like you could use a break - I've taken several this past year. I think your plan to get new boots and save money for coaching is a good one. As batikat said, group lessons are a cheaper option than private lessons so you might want to look into that once you get new skates. Maybe group lessons with a private lesson every other week, to start? In the meantime, rest your feet and take care of other things that are going on. From your posts, it appears that you've picked up skills pretty quickly and have a real talent for skating, but without coaching, there is only so far that you can go. Be patient with your progress and take pride in the things you've learned. :)

[luna_skater]

And yes, I've had a coach before.

What's the reason you have decided to skate coachless, if you don't mind me asking? Just cost?

[Hannahclear]

That is exactly what I hope. I need to sort out my life in general and wait for the AOSS bug to hit again - hopefully I can improve finances a bit in the meanwhile. :P

This is what happened to me. I basically wasn't skating at all, but since spring, the financial picture has improved, my motivation has improved and I want to skate pretty regularly.

Just let it be. If it's true, it will return.

[Casey]

What's the reason you have decided to skate coachless, if you don't mind me asking? Just cost?
Yep. I took a month off lessons when I moved, and was just about to pick a new coach at a new rink when I discovered the problem with my skates.

[stardust skies]

Yep. I took a month off lessons when I moved, and was just about to pick a new coach at a new rink when I discovered the problem with my skates.


Well. I've never been for Grafs, said that since day one. However, in all fairness, the only thing you discovered was the heel was separating. Your boots never actually fit you, but you were still making great progress and were enjoying skating. SO, if all that is ruining your practices and your motivation is the heel coming off (because it's basically since you discovered that, that I noticed your positivity waning), I am thinking that a good pro shop (read: not the guy you have been going to) could reglue the heel. Boots can get completely rebuilt. Tongues can be replaced. Heels can be glued back together! I am guessing it might cost 50 bucks or so. Since the heel coming off is all that changed between the time when you were enjoying skating, and now that you are not, you should go to a pro shop and get it fixed. I know it'll cost money, but at least you could skate, then.

And since you say you were going to pick a new coach before you discovered the boot problem, if you fix the boot, you can go ahead and get that coach.

I think taking time off (IF you ever want to compete, which I think you said you might) is dangerous. Especially for someone like you, who expects so much so quickly out of themselves, when you get back on the ice, you will be so lost. It'll be so hard to get skills back, because you haven't been skating all that long. I guarantee it'll be a mess when you come back, even when I take anything over a week off (for injury or what have you), I cringe that first week at how badly I skate. And I've been skating for over ten years. So if you come back all motivated and all ready to go, and you can't even do good waltz jumps anymore, you might get even MORE frustrated and decide this isn't worth it, which would be a waste if you really want to do this. If what is making you want to quit is a circumstance, and not your heart, then fix the circumstance the best way you can. That's the best advice I can give ya.

[Casey]

Well. I've never been for Grafs, said that since day one. However, in all fairness, the only thing you discovered was the heel was separating. Your boots never actually fit you, but you were still making great progress and were enjoying skating. SO, if all that is ruining your practices and your motivation is the heel coming off (because it's basically since you discovered that, that I noticed your positivity waning)...
Well, Graf will fix the heel for free, it will just take 2 months.

Most importantly though, it doesn't seem to be directly related. Yeah, it bothered me for a while, but I got past that. Yes, it causes more falls, but not that many and it's not like I'm sustaining any serious injury, and I've learned certain moves to avoid because it screws them up really bad (like back shoot the ducks), but it certainly isn't responsible for the increasing pain every time I skate, because the left sole is still pretty firmly attached (just a small gap on one side that has not grown at all, and that blade doesn't wobble or work the heel screws loose like the right one does).

After the first 2 weeks through a few months ago, the boots were really comfortable. Then they started getting comfortable a bit before I noticed the heel problem, but I started wearing thicker woolen sockes instead of the thin ones I had been and it solved the problem for a while (I think you'll recall recommending against the thicker socks because they allow more foot movement). Well the thicker socks did indeed impede progress, and after a while stopped helping anyways, so I went back to thinner socks with bunga pads. This worked okay for a while, but like the previous solution, only worked for so long. The bunga sleeves would moreover cause a lot of sweat and then I couldn't skate as long. Thin socks alone aren't cutting it as they once did, to be sure.

I think you're right about them being a bad fit, but I think that the excessive padding hid that fact for a long time. I need new boots, simple as that. I had my partner give me a $500 advance this month, which means I'll be $500 short next month. It means that I could technically afford to buy new boots right now, if barely, but then I'll be in a bind come next month if I don't work some extra jobs in the meanwhile. Though I asked for the advance with the intent of buying skates, I thought about it, and don't think it's the right thing right now. If I'm not doing it because I love it, I can have the most appropriate and comfortable skates in the world and still won't make any progress. Better to give it a rest and save my money until such a time that motivation returns. So I won't compete this year - oh well - I might not have accomplished that challenge anyways and there's always next year's competitions.

[luna_skater]

I would wager to guess that incorrect technique could also be causing you discomfort. If you are skating a few days a week with consistent errors in form, your body is going to take a beating. Poorly fitting skates will just compound the problem. Just my 2 cents, and I hope things work out for you. :)

[Chico]

Every skater I've ever met has up and down moments skating, me included. Having boot issues and no coach can't help. Maybe a few months off might be just what you need to make you miss the sport and eager to try again. I would try to get a coach to help you. Knowing that "things" are wrong but clueless on how to fix them is depressing. Having a supportive person to guide you is very important. I hope you find your way back to skating and that it's a good experience. Good luck. =-)

[Anita18]

I agree that if your heart isn't in it, you should take a break. You aren't doing yourself any good mentally and/or physically by forcing yourself into something you aren't enjoying anymore.

I often have times where I haven't skated for months because I just don't feel like it or I don't have the time, and that's okay. I don't have the time nor the money for a coach, so I just take it easy and skate for fun maybe once a week. I did have a coach for about a month, and he definitely helped a lot, but I doubt I even have the time for group lessons right now. No pressure. I find I usually skate better with that sort of mindset anyway. I've retained most of my skills amazingly enough, but I don't know if that's the case for everyone. Of course I haven't progressed much, but skating's just something I enjoy doing and I don't have immediate plans for competing or anything like that.

You just need to figure out what's right for you.

[TimDavidSkate]

I share your pain :cry: I never like breaking in new boots and I end up quitting on them for many weeks. It is such a painful process.

I also have thought of quitting skating as well. (b/c nothing ever goes right on practices)
I actually have taken the fun out of skating permanently :frus: I do not enjoy skating anymore like I used to. I do not have the patience to work on elements :giveup:
When I skate, I just like to fool around with the music and choreography.

The only thing time I get motivated on the ice is 2 weeks before a competition.

Since ice time is so expensive = I often sneak in sessions. :halo:
Coaching = I don't have one, I have my friends and a camcorder :halo:

There are alot of ways to stay in skating without having to spend a lot of money. I save them up for competition expenses.

I hope you like competing Casey, maybe that will motivate you on your skating.

[skateflo]

Casey, it sounds to me like there are other issues besides the boot problem, that are effecting your overall mental attitude.

Taking a break for however long you need, can be beneficial. My first time was 9 months. I was burned out, trying too hard, was skating for the wrong reasons, my life was so consumed with skating and working long hours that there was nothing else and I was feeling guilty. My expectations were all out of whack with reality. I did go back slowly as I found I missed the rink (at about 7 months.) I also have had to take time off for surgery, etc. and my financial situation also has influenced my skating time and lessons.

Each time I have been off the ice for extended periods of time, I was back up to snuff in about 4-6 weeks, and also had a better attitude. But it has taken me repeated attempts to work at preparing to test to realize that testing is not for me - each time my skills deteriorated and my attitude plummeted. Testing/competing is not for everyone. But as an adult skater I felt if I didn't other adults would ignore me - we all want to be accepted..... I'm much happier now and my skills are improving even though I have decided to just not worry about testing, etc. Each person is different and has their own inner needs.

I vote for taking time off until the spirit moves you from within and you create your own schedule, goals (realistic), and budget. I also vote for lessons - group or private - when you return. Financial worries can undermine your concentration and time on the ice.

[Casey]

Thanks skateflo, that post was really encouraging. I don't think I'll never skate again - rather I hope (and think) that after a bit of time off I'll start really missing skating and come back to it. I'll probably continue working on flexibility with more stretching, maybe some minor off-ice exercises, nothing too major. I'll have a chance to get things caught up financially, and will be able to work some extra jobs without worrying about interference with my skating schedule, so if I do start skating again, it will be with a proper-fitting pair of skates and enough money to afford coaching. I'm not going to wait in anticipation, if the desire comes back, great, if not, no big deal. But I think it will.

Thanks to everyone else who responded too.

[batikat]

Just one more comment if you'll excuse me. I wonder if because you have some natural ability that you simply expected too much of yourself too soon and your discouragement is due to the reality not living up to the expectations you have for yourself in your mind. Maybe it more of a problem for men who often have the brute strength necessary to get a jump to go up and rotate without needing to have great technique ( I have seen this a lot at the rink where boys invariably get the big jumps quicker than girls but their technique can sometimes be very poor and this becomes a problem when they start doubles). If your technique is poor because you have been trying to self correct then as you gain confidence to do bigger jumps the poor technique shows up more and this is a possibility for why things seem to be going wrong now.

Take a break but when you come back do get a coach to look at what you are doing. There are so many almost infinitesimal little things that a coach can correct but you or even a skating friend would have a hard time spotting let alone correcting. You actually save money in the end since 1 x 15 min session with a coach, plus an hours practice, will likely progress you further than hours and hours of uncorrected skating which may be just ingraining incorrect techniques into muscle memory and it's harder to correct a bad habit than to learn it right in the first place.

Good luck and hope to hear you are back to skating before too long.

[blue111moon]

This is probably going to sound harsh but I can't think of how to word it any other way:

Skating is frustrating. It's not easy and it's not something you learn in a couple months. Skills come and go inexplicably. Even when you're sure you know how to do something, it can trip you up.

90% of learning to skate is persistence and practice. I've lost count of the number of physically talented people I know who started skating all gung ho and quit. (A side comment: the men quit much sooner than the women; I have a personal theory for this but it's extrememly sexist so I'll keep it to myself. ;) )

Skating is not for everyone. There's a mental part that goes beyond training muscles. It's as much about learning to live with failure and frustration and pain and embarrassment as it is about enjoying the speed and the freedom of movement and the acquisiton of skills. It's about the process as much as the end result. Especially for adults, who CHOOSE to take up the sport, it's more about enjoying the journey. It's way too expensive a sport to do if you can't.

[2loop2loop]

This is probably going to sound harsh but I can't think of how to word it any other way:.

No I think that was fair. I read through Casey's list of problems and I thought "welcome to my life!" :frus: :giveup: :giveup:

I haven't been skating at all well since I got back from the Mountain Cup.

Firstly it is financial, I haven't had any lessons for months and I can barely afford ice time at the moment so I am not getting to skate as often as I usually do.

Secondly it is psychological, I have a few things weighing on my mind, firstly finishing my PhD and secondly the absolute misery that is job hunting and I find I can't switch this off when I go skating as I normally can. Of course I then skate badly which makes me feel even worse.

Thirdly it is physical, after having my boots for 6 months I have suddenly started getting the most incredible lace bite on my landing boot which leaves my lower shin swollen and inflamed for a good few days after each time I skate.

So what am I doing?
1. Easing off the difficult stuff and concentrating on moves and my easier jumps.
2. Skating when I can and not beating myself up for being nowhere near my best.
3. Reminding myself that I will finish the PhD and get a job eventually, that he financial issues will ease, the boot problems can be sorted out and the skills will come back with a bit more practice and some coaching. I would even consider taking some time out if I felt it was necessary, but I have no intention of quitting ever because underneath it all I still love to skate and compete.

Note that this is coming from a 3 time British adult masters champion. It happens to all of us, regardless of what level we are at. I bet Michelle Kwan has come off the ice a few times after a bad skate and thought to herself "why do I bother, I suck at this!" :lol:

John

[phoenix]

Hi Casey,

Sorry you're having so much frustration & pain. I know how it feels when your feet (or in my case ankles) can hurt so much you start to think you may have to quit. I wanted to just put in one other thought for when you're ready to start back up. You've mentioned here the huge number of hours you'd skate in one day--it's possible that your ankle injury may be resulting from chronic overuse. Once you start back up, I'd strongly suggest skating no more than 2 hours a day, & probably less to begin with. You may have some tendonitis or something going on that is the result of doing too much over & over again.

I'll also throw in my voice w/ the others that you need continuous lessons to also avoid injury caused by incorrect technique. I know you've had a coach in the past but I didn't get the sense that it was a weekly thing, at least not for long.....it's very possible that the injury is a result of wrong technique done over & over for hours on end.

I hope you can get the new boots soon & that you'll find yourself missing the ice.

[Isk8NYC]

I'm sorry to see you leave the ice. You've really made very good progress on your own and were just starting to jump into this with both feet. (Pun intended)

I hope you come back soon and the equipment problems get resolved sooner than you expect. Once the boots are fixed, why don't you try selling them to finance the new boots? Keep an eye on ebay for blades.

Don't forget to touch base with us! You can still hang out here.

[skaternum]

Reluctantly, I agree that youmight be well-served by taking a break from skating. If you had only a single obstacle or issue, it would be one thing, but you've got multiple obstacles consipring against pleasant skating, including money, equipment, and motivation. My advice: don't bother having the boot fixed. (1) When you feel interested in skating again, get the money issues under control, then buy some appropriate boots that fit. (2) Skate recreationally a little to break them in. (3) Sign up for skate school or get a private coach. (4) Lower your expectations for how you'll progress in this irritating sport. ;)

And come back soon.

[TaBalie]

I would wager to guess that incorrect technique could also be causing you discomfort. If you are skating a few days a week with consistent errors in form, your body is going to take a beating.

You've mentioned here the huge number of hours you'd skate in one day--it's possible that your ankle injury may be resulting from chronic overuse

I agree, and I also think your boots are broken down, rather then broken in, since they were not appropriate with your level, and you have no guidance in your technique (landing or doing jumps strangely can put the wrong creases in the boot, for example). Even doing a sit spin wrong can mess up your boot, especially with hours and hours of that sort of practice.

I am sure the majority of us here have made skate buying mis-steps that give us financial nightmares (:frus: ), but again, that is all part of this frustrating, exciting, maddening, wonderful, sport. :)

wonder if because you have some natural ability that you simply expected too much of yourself too soon and your discouragement is due to the reality not living up to the expectations you have for yourself in your mind.

Again, I agree, and I mentioned this a bit in my first post. This is not an easy sport. It takes a LOT of patience and a LOT of time. No improvement (or backsliding) for a month or so is 100% completely normal and expected -- especially if you have painful equipment and no coach! You are too hard on yourself! :)

I wish you the best, take care of yourself on your break, and maybe re-evaluate how you approach this sport. It is really about the journey, it isn't about checking off a list of skills... You have great enthusiasm and talent and spirit, regroup, and then get back on the ice!

Hopefully you'll still pop in here to say hello every once in a while as well! :)

[Skate@Delaware]

Last year I skated about 20 hours a week, and my skills were at a standstill. I was taking lessons, skating on club time, working on show routines, and learning new things, plus skating on public time. I think my body got burned out. I backed off to about half that to 7-10 hours a week and allowed my body to recuperate and within a month noticed a change in my skating. I was not falling as much, nor was I exhausted. Sometimes you just have to back off and allow your body to heal and recuperate. Skating is a very demanding sport, especially with all the jumping (and falling). Add off-ice training and you up the ante. Just my 2 cents worth.

[stefaniskate13]

I think you just need some time to heal, maybe think about if skating is what you really want to do. I've been through the same type of problems, and you just have to decide how much you love it, and if you have to think twice about keeping it around, then maybe you shouldnt?

[Mel On Ice]

breaks can not only get you out of bad habits, but help renew your passion and drive for the sport.

Kick back and enjoy the time off, save your coin, and we'll see you at the rink.

[samba]

I have lost count of the times I have said "thats it, no more", you will be back, just wait and see.

Catch you later
Grace
xx

[MQSeries]

I'd say walk away from skating completely. Try to find other interests to occupy the time that you normally used for skating. Give it about two months of not skating. Your brain will tell you wether you want to try skating again after that or not.

I walk away from skating about 3 years ago. I've been on a few public sessions sporadically since then and enjoyed it but never enough anymore to invest $$$ and time into training and testing and being a regular like I used to.

[singerskates]

Casey, how old are you boots?
Are they less than a year old?
If so, call up Graf and explain the problem. Get them to replace your boots for new ones. This is a manufactures defect. Mine is too but I didn't notice it until almost 3 years later. I thought it was me but it is not. Yet, I still managed to learn stuff. But with your heal coming apart, that it is dangerous. You can't skate on those skates anymore. You must get Graf to exchange them.

[rf3ray]

I guess this must be very common for every skater then feeling this way

No I think that was fair. I read through Casey's list of problems and I thought "welcome to my life!" :frus: :giveup: :giveup:

I haven't been skating at all well since I got back from the Mountain Cup.

Firstly it is financial, I haven't had any lessons for months and I can barely afford ice time at the moment so I am not getting to skate as often as I usually do.

Secondly it is psychological, I have a few things weighing on my mind, firstly finishing my PhD and secondly the absolute misery that is job hunting and I find I can't switch this off when I go skating as I normally can. Of course I then skate badly which makes me feel even worse.

Thirdly it is physical, after having my boots for 6 months I have suddenly started getting the most incredible lace bite on my landing boot which leaves my lower shin swollen and inflamed for a good few days after each time I skate.

So what am I doing?
1. Easing off the difficult stuff and concentrating on moves and my easier jumps.
2. Skating when I can and not beating myself up for being nowhere near my best.
3. Reminding myself that I will finish the PhD and get a job eventually, that he financial issues will ease, the boot problems can be sorted out and the skills will come back with a bit more practice and some coaching. I would even consider taking some time out if I felt it was necessary, but I have no intention of quitting ever because underneath it all I still love to skate and compete.

Note that this is coming from a 3 time British adult masters champion. It happens to all of us, regardless of what level we are at. I bet Michelle Kwan has come off the ice a few times after a bad skate and thought to herself "why do I bother, I suck at this!" :lol:

John

[pennybeagle]

Count me in as another "time off can be beneficial" voice.

I started skating in college through group lessons, and progressed very quickly for about a year (got through USFS Preliminary levels). Then, I took a year off to go abroad. When I came back, people were...let's just say "disappointed" that I didn't go back into skating, but I had no time or money to do it (senior in college, writing thesis, doing unpaid internship, etc). Then, I took about another four years off for work and grad school...I finally got back into skating about 3-4 years ago. I now compete at the silver level and hope (please, God!) that I will soon pass my Gold moves.

It took about a month to feel comfortable on the ice again and regain most of my skills. After that, I tried to be a self-taught skater for financial reasons. After a (short) while, I simply stopped progressing, and I thought about hanging up the skates again.

But this time, I took the advice of a fellow skater and did two things instead: I cut down on my ice time and I got a coach. So I was skating on two public sessions a week (90 minutes each) and getting a lesson on one of them. At first, the lesson was 15 minutes, but then, I increased it to 30, damning the cost. I had to re-learn everything that I taught myself incorrectly. I almost quit again. But I stuck with it for a couple months, and then suddenly, I improved. It was weird. I sensed no progress for a long time, and then one day, it was like a miracle happened and everything clicked and I could skate. But I find that a lot of my progress has been like that--hit a plateau, stay there for a while, groan and moan, and then break through and start climbing again.

So. You do what you feel you need to. Taking time off may help you. It probably won't hurt you. Getting a coach when you return will definitely help you. Don't wait too long after you re-start. Getting boots that don't hurt will also help, but I would put money in the coaching before the equipment UNLESS you are in so much pain that you can't think or move properly. And finally, don't be discouraged by plateaus. They will happen, and some of them will stay around for a long time. They're like slumps in baseball. But with time, determination, and some faith, they can be overcome.

Caveat: Don't try to overcome plateaus by yourself. I tried this, and learned a LOT of bad habits that I'm STILL trying to break...like double-leaning with my hip on back inside threes. I'm still paying for this dearly in sweat, blood, and tears (yes, in blood! Check out the door that I crashed through last week...I even impressed the hockey guys!). If I could go back in time, I would NEVER have tried to learn this skill on my own and ingrained improper technique into my body. You'd think that smashing into the boards at full speed on the FI-BI three turn (novice) pattern on the gold moves test countless dozen times would have taught me to stop doing it the wrong way. But... :frus: It is SO hard to unlearn a bad habit that you either taught yourself or a coach let you get away with for too long...and it is more expensive in the end. Just MHO.

[rf3ray]

Hey when you where learning spins and stuff in your first 2 years of skating where many of your elements consistent or did they come and go day by day

No I think that was fair. I read through Casey's list of problems and I thought "welcome to my life!" :frus: :giveup: :giveup:

I haven't been skating at all well since I got back from the Mountain Cup.

Firstly it is financial, I haven't had any lessons for months and I can barely afford ice time at the moment so I am not getting to skate as often as I usually do.

Secondly it is psychological, I have a few things weighing on my mind, firstly finishing my PhD and secondly the absolute misery that is job hunting and I find I can't switch this off when I go skating as I normally can. Of course I then skate badly which makes me feel even worse.

Thirdly it is physical, after having my boots for 6 months I have suddenly started getting the most incredible lace bite on my landing boot which leaves my lower shin swollen and inflamed for a good few days after each time I skate.

So what am I doing?
1. Easing off the difficult stuff and concentrating on moves and my easier jumps.
2. Skating when I can and not beating myself up for being nowhere near my best.
3. Reminding myself that I will finish the PhD and get a job eventually, that he financial issues will ease, the boot problems can be sorted out and the skills will come back with a bit more practice and some coaching. I would even consider taking some time out if I felt it was necessary, but I have no intention of quitting ever because underneath it all I still love to skate and compete.

Note that this is coming from a 3 time British adult masters champion. It happens to all of us, regardless of what level we are at. I bet Michelle Kwan has come off the ice a few times after a bad skate and thought to herself "why do I bother, I suck at this!" :lol:

John

[Mrs Redboots]

There are always days you get off the ice wondering why on earth you are putting yourself through this! I had one today. But I'll be back on the ice tomorrow, and I hope I'll skate better than I skated today - I'll have need to!

But I agree with 2loop2loop and BlueIIIMoon - it's not for everybody. And if you take a break, you'll find out whether it really is for you (in which case you'll be back), or whether you're one of those who'd rather do something else. And that's fine, too.

[flippet]

Hey when you where learning spins and stuff in your first 2 years of skating where many of your elements consistent or did they come and go day by day


Things usually come and go day by day---it's simply the nature of skating, especially when you're still learning the elements, and they're not yet committed to body memory.

It took me 3 years to learn to spin--and I practiced at least a few nearly every day. Some things are just HARD. Did I get discouraged? Sure. There were times I thought I'd NEVER learn to spin. Sometimes I did take a break from spinning, especially after the days when every attempt only seemed to get worse. But ultimately I kept at it, and now I can spin, although I certainly won't be winning any spin competitions. I rarely had a 'breakthrough' day for spinning--it was more often than not 1 step forward, 1 step back. But I eventually amassed enough baby steps forward that success happened more often than not. I still have crappy spin days from time to time--it happens to everyone. But I don't get discouraged like I once did--I know that it will return, and even get better, if I just don't give up. Breaks are good, especially if you've been overdoing it. But giving up isn't the answer either.

[Skate@Delaware]

Although I'm basically a beginner compared to most of you :bow: here's my 2 cents worth (again); I agree that there are times when you don't seem to progress or even seem to step backwards skill-wise. Those are times when it's best to "go back to basics" and work on things that are the foundations of skating: edges, flow, control (I guess in the old days these would have been covered under figures), posture, etc.

There have been whole sessions I've spent working on 3-turns and edges (ok, maybe I did a spin or two) just because everything else is built on them and they need work just like everything else. Yeah, it's not as fun as spinning or jumping, but it's just as hard. And they aren't as hard on your body as jumping and spinning.

So, if you feel you can't give it up completely, you could at least work on edges, 3-turns, stroking, etc. during public sessions.