Remembering why you skate

[fsk8r]

I find that I spend most of my time working on the next new elements which need to be perfected for the next test / competition, that sometimes skating because a slog of hardwork. Every now and then though, I try and stop and just have fun.
I did that today and I got the coach to give me a lesson doing what I wanted to learn (within reason). Everything was a stretch for me to try but we had an absolute laugh. Especially as my coach started to have fun trying to spin in the opposite direction. I don't think she'd done it since she was a kid.
But it reminded me why I skate and given me some renewed enthusiasm for the new year.

[Robin]

Skating should be joyful. This isn't to say that there should be no practice and no repitition or focus (heck, I could still do figures for hours!) but ultimately, if you don't leave time for the pure joy of it, there's no point.

[karne]

Hard work IS fun!

[rinkrat]

Sometimes if I'm stuck on something I stand there and think "what's the point, I'm 16, been skating for half a year, I am never going to the Olympics." The I just glide. If I glide, I remember why I feel in love with it 6 short months ago. I'm free on the ice. I can do things that just aren't physically possible on land. I feel graceful, beautiful, strong. Nothing can bring me down when I'm on the ice. That's why I do it 6 days a week. Not because I'm training to be elite, but because it is what makes me so happy.

Then there are the little victories: getting an extra revolution on a spin, going a little bit higher on a waltz jump, etc.

[AgnesNitt]

There were moments when I did figures that I could hit the edge perfectly, my body would line up and I was one with the universe.

That doesn't happen with dance unfortunately.