once upon a time, in my college years, i decided to attempt figure skating. always had been my favorite sport, since i was little and took lessons, and after the '94 olympics, at the height of the nancy/tonya saga, i like everyone in america, became especially intrigued by the sport. i started out in a group class, and then went to private lessons. i was nowhere close to being an elite, i was just a beginner. i practiced and took lessons with my coach for about 5 years before life got in the way. i could land every jump you see in the olympics, but only a single. i still can identify each jump too, as they are performed. before i left the ice for good, i was working on a double salcow, and a double loop. the loop was my favorite and most comfortable (take off/land on the same foot and edge). i landed doubles in the practice harness on ice and off ice in shoes. on ice i got as far as 1 1/2 revolutions. almost there! my other big thing before i left was landing an axel, the hardest jump, as it has 1 1/2 revolutions. my axel was not at all perfect, it was very, very slow and landing too flat on the blade, but at least i did it! i was proud. another favorite of mine was a spiral.....that's where you stand on one leg with the other extended behind you. i was told i had a good stretch, meaning, i had good height and extension. as i watch these 2010 olympics, it brings back a lot of my fun memories as a skater. maybe in my head i am still choreographing routines as i listen to music as i run, or in the car as i drive! maybe i do. just maybe.
2 comments:
Those were the days! Seems like a long time ago. I enjoyed watching you skate. You were very good!
I love this story and learning more about you. Very cool.
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