From a young age, I began to frequent the ice skating rink, in hopes of competing in a regional figure skating competition. Week after week, I went back, trying to nail the axel jump or the biellmann spin. It was freezing inside the rink, yet I was only allowed to wear thin layers so I could compete. Progressively, the skating moves became more difficult, and soon, the rink became like a second home as I tried to master intricate spins and jumps, with graceful technique. After practicing for four years, I took a sudden fall in January 2009. Stumbling during a Lutz jump, my toe pick got stuck, and my chin landed, face first on the ice. My entire view of the rink changed in a matter of seconds.

After avoiding the rink for weeks, I began to rethink my entire figure skating career. Fortunately, my brother was still going to rink, with or without me. My brother had been speedskating for the last year after deciding not pursue hockey. After my bruises healed, he finally convinced me to try speed skating. When I put on the loaner speed skates, they were unfamiliar, as the blades were significantly longer, thinner, and the boots were much smaller than I was used to. The first practice that I experienced with the East Pennsylvania Speed Skating Club was unforgettable, while the rink was flowing with skaters racing in loops at roughly 10-12 seconds per lap. I was impressed, observing talented athletes with lengthy blades, traveling 100 meters in only 10 seconds. Dazzled by the speed of the skaters, I decided to switch my focus from figure to speed skating. Slowly, I began to develop a renewed confidence in my skating ability. This new sport restored my faith in athletics, skating, and the rink.

I coached speedskating at two clubs for three years, I worked as an official at competitions, I spent my nights drilling the fundamentals into beginners’ minds, I mentored elderly skaters who have returned to the sport, and judged races during the season. While I used to spend over ten hours at the rink per week, the practice of the sport ingrained something more than just the skill. I learned about diligence, dedication, pain, and perseverance. While it’s hard to balance with a tough, rigorous work load, I cannot even begin to thank all that the sport has engrained in me. Without my speedskating career, I would not be the same student, friend, supporter, or leader. So hey, go try it out, I’ll even teach you the basics!