I first learned what figure skating was when I was three years old. My mom and dad took my sister and I to see Mary Poppins on ice at our local ice center. We watched in awe as each skater jumped and spun a hundred times before us. Before we knew it, we were signed up for lessons.
I was four years old when my sneakers became ice skates. Land for somebody else was ice for me. I learned different skating terms that most people couldn't pronounce and learned different moves that most people dreamed of doing. Within 14 years of skating as often as I could and spending countless hours with coaches along with spending hundreds of dollars of skates, competitions, and ice time, skating became my one and only love.
Skating has influenced my life so much throughout the years. Here's what goes through a figure skaters mind on a daily basis.
1. "This would be a great song to skate to!"
We're sitting in the car and the radio comes on and we instantly think if this would be a good or bad song to skate to. We also think to ourselves which program this would fit best: short problem, long program, artistic, or footwork.
2. "Do we have to do this jump again?" "
Coach, I've done this jump 20 times already. Do I have to do it again?" Practice makes perfect.
3. "I'm never skating again."
We get frustrated when we can't get a jump or spin mastered so we give up, but then end up going back at it again within 20 seconds.
4. "My feet are going to fall off!"
Between tight skates and frozen toes, we seem to question how our feet can handle it. Frost bit toes are a usual thing at the rink.
5. "I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world."
As much as we say we hate skating, we know that we can't live without it. From the many hours spent at the rink to the frost bit toes after every practice, we wouldn't trade this for anything. Figure skating is our one true love. It gives us a break from reality and after landing that jump or spin after practicing it for months on end, it truly is the best feeling in the world.
