I couldn't find a current thread that defined AOSS (Adult Onset Skating Syndrome), so let's have one now! What does AOSS mean to you? When did you realize you were infected?
Learning to skate at age 63. Practicing backward spiral at 64. Showing off with both left and right showstops.
You just might have AOSS if:
You get up at 5 am without complaining to have a lesson before work, even though other days you are in bed till 7, and if anyone is foolish enough to wake you up before that, you make sure they regret it for a month (at least!).
When searching for a place to move, the primary concern of the whole family (including non-skating members) is whether there are enough rinks around for you to skate.
You have signed up for a test session in July. In June, you crack the ribs in the fall on the ice and do not see the dr., as you would feel bad going against the only possible sound medical advice dr. would have given: not skating for a month or so.
You have AOSS when
You practice your spirals in the handicap stalls at work.
And find that practicing your spirals in the elevator when you're alone is good exercise due to the vibration and jerk. If you can hold a spiral through a jerked stop in the elevator--you're golden.
When you are caught doing your program in the break room at work because you work too much to get in much ice time.
You might have AOSS if you ask the doctor casting your broken wrist (that you broke on the ice) how soon you can get back on the ice.
Quote from: ChristyRN on February 11, 2012, 09:59:59 PM
You might have AOSS if you ask the doctor casting your broken wrist (that you broke on the ice) how soon you can get back on the ice.
I'll 2nd that :)
Deciding to start skating again at age 40, spending hours a day reading skating blogs and forums, pinning skating attire and equipment to Pinterest, talking non-stop about skating, dreaming of skating, thinking that real jobs are lame and I should just skate and ski all the time.
Yup, I'd say you got it....
Welcome to the club sicbelle!
Quote from: ChristyRN on February 11, 2012, 09:59:59 PM
You might have AOSS if you ask the doctor casting your broken wrist (that you broke on the ice) how soon you can get back on the ice.
I didn't manage to actually break mine, but I came back onto the ice from a severe sprain (lost all movement for over a week) with my husband tying my skates. Although I could grip well enough to do very basic things, I still couldn't hold a pencil, or tie my shoes. But I needed to practice for my test!
I test Sunday, and am still in the wrist brace. Dr. told me I can't skate without it until I can support my weight on the arm, and I'm not even close to that.
Quote from: ChristyRN on February 11, 2012, 09:59:59 PM
You might have AOSS if you ask the doctor casting your broken wrist (that you broke on the ice) how soon you can get back on the ice.
First time I sprained my wrist skating, I was 11 (learning crossovers) and the doc told me I couldn't skate for at least two weeks. I cried. Three sprains (maybe more) later it's not such a big deal lol.
Slcbelle, I hear ya! I'm 38, and feel the same way!!
I dislocated my shoulder (fell on the ice in a twisted position) and my orthopedist ordered me to stop skating for 12 weeks to let the shoulder heal :( I am doing off-ice exercises in anticipation of getting back after recuperation.
I became afflicted with AOSS when I realized, after not skating for 15 years, that my recent 3-4 years of tai chi training has improved my balance such that on my first foray back onto the ice, I skated better than I ever did before! I am 51 and learned to skate in college. Since AOSS last year, I've taken several basic skills classes and look forward to completing levels 7 and 8 when I get back on the ice next fall.
Just found this topic.
AOSS is when you start skating at age 58 (on the cusp of 59) to rehab your knee from a skiing accident (with full knowledge and support of orthopedist and physical therapist), fall in love with the sport and convince your spouse to buy you boots/blades for Christmas in addition to spending $1000 for a ski trip to Vermont. I have passed Adult 3, looking forward to passing 4 before my 1 year anniversary of skating in July.
Like slcbelle I think real jobs are lame and wish I could ski and skate all the time (but alas the 9-5 pays for the skating and skiing).
Just found this topic as well.
Aoss is when you find out that your partner had TOSS (teen onset skating syndrome) and decide that when he had an ACL ligament tore he was suppose to stay off the ice for two months. Could not resist the urge to skate. So he decided to sneak into public skating and he got caught by his coach, who immediately kicked him out I the ice rink and sent him home for the remainder of the two months..lol
Ripping the ice all day!
Quote from: dlbritton on April 22, 2014, 04:25:24 PM
Just found this topic.
AOSS is when you start skating at age 58 (on the cusp of 59) to rehab your knee from a skiing accident (with full knowledge and support of orthopedist and physical therapist), fall in love with the sport and convince your spouse to buy you boots/blades for Christmas in addition to spending $1000 for a ski trip to Vermont. I have passed Adult 3, looking forward to passing 4 before my 1 year anniversary of skating in July.
Like slcbelle I think real jobs are lame and wish I could ski and skate all the time (but alas the 9-5 pays for the skating and skiing).
Your spouse is very lenient, lol that's good.
Ripping the ice all day!
You know you have AOSS when:
-You want to skate all the time.
-You never complain about getting up at 5AM to skate.
-You will pass up on plans with friends so you can skate.
-You refer to turning the car around as "doing a 3-turn."
-You practice jumps in the living room.
-Your coach knows more about you than your mother.
-You text your coach more than you text your best friend.
Quote from: Gabby on Ice on April 22, 2014, 06:24:11 PM
You know you have AOSS when:
-You want to skate all the time.
-You never complain about getting up at 5AM to skate.
-You will pass up on plans with friends so you can skate.
-You refer to turning the car around as "doing a 3-turn."
-You practice jumps in the living room.
-Your coach knows more about you than your mother.
-You text your coach more than you text your best friend.
Man, I don't know about the 5 am bit anymore.
Anyway,
AOSS is when you do a good outside 8 and feel the universe orbit around you.
You have AOSS when you start looking at plane tickets for the camp in Italy, even if it means staying three to a room. :WS:
Quote from: TropicalSk8ter on April 22, 2014, 04:39:24 PM
Your spouse is very lenient, lol that's good.
Ripping the ice all day!
Actually her first comment after I told her I wanted to sign up for Adult 2 was "oh great , another expensive sport to go along with skiing", but I counter that skiing and now skating keeps me in good shape and keeps me motivated to continue working.
Quote from: dlbritton on April 22, 2014, 09:12:35 PM
Actually her first comment after I told her I wanted to sign up for Adult 2 was "oh great , another expensive sport to go along with skiing", but I counter that skiing and now skating keeps me in good shape and keeps me motivated to continue working.
thankfully your doing something that you love to do.
:)
Ripping the ice all day!
For me - at 65 (last year) I needed knee surgery to repair a badly torn meniscus (fell down the stairs on to the concrete garage floor - landed on my right knee). The chronic pain that resulted was very hard to deal with - no comfortable position in which to sleep, no relief during the day sitting or standing. Did I limp through my skating, yes - poorly but did it. I finally consulted with the orthopedic surgeon who fixed my shoulder a few years ago and he showed me what was wrong and recommended surgery. I was fine with that until he said I had to be off the ice for six months. SIX MONTHS!! Come on... anything but that. I actually considered not getting the surgery for that reason alone. It's an illness this AOSS thing.
Postscript - got the surgery (of course), stayed off the ice, did my PT. A year later the knee is almost totally healed and what had been the 'gimpy' side is the strong side now.
Quote from: Willowway on April 26, 2014, 06:59:52 PM
For me - at 65 (last year) I needed knee surgery to repair a badly torn meniscus (fell down the stairs on to the concrete garage floor - landed on my right knee). The chronic pain that resulted was very hard to deal with - no comfortable position in which to sleep, no relief during the day sitting or standing. Did I limp through my skating, yes - poorly but did it. I finally consulted with the orthopedic surgeon who fixed my shoulder a few years ago and he showed me what was wrong and recommended surgery. I was fine with that until he said I had to be off the ice for six months. SIX MONTHS!! Come on... anything but that. I actually considered not getting the surgery for that reason alone. It's an illness this AOSS thing.
Postscript - got the surgery (of course), stayed off the ice, did my PT. A year later the knee is almost totally healed and what had been the 'gimpy' side is the strong side now.
Glad to hear you got that knee fixed an that it's your strong side now. Congrats!
Ripping the ice all day!
Every six months I have the chicken shots in each knee. $1000 a pop...per knee.
I only pay $30, insurance pays the rest.
You know you're in trouble when "rink clothing" edges in front of "work clothing" in the laundry prioritization list.
Even more so when you buy certain knit tops to wear to work because you know you can skate in them later, thus only requiring you to switch out your pants when getting to the rink.
Quote from: Meli on April 27, 2014, 01:26:45 PM
You know you're in trouble when "rink clothing" edges in front of "work clothing" in the laundry prioritization list.
Even more so when you buy certain knit tops to wear to work because you know you can skate in them later, thus only requiring you to switch out your pants when getting to the rink.
Yes, this. I have a stockpile of LL Bean tshirts in different colors that I wear to work with a cardigan or other semi-dressy thing over top... they all go with my black skating pants. ;)
Quote from: skategeek on April 27, 2014, 04:07:15 PM
Yes, this. I have a stockpile of LL Bean tshirts in different colors that I wear to work with a cardigan or other semi-dressy thing over top... they all go with my black skating pants. ;)
Lands' End tunics here. :)
Quote from: Meli on April 27, 2014, 04:37:42 PM
Lands' End tunics here. :)
Ooo... might have to check those out. (I like Bean's tshirts better than Lands End, but haven't looked at the tunics.)
Quote from: Willowway on April 26, 2014, 06:59:52 PM
I was fine with that until he said I had to be off the ice for six months. SIX MONTHS!! Come on... anything but that. I actually considered not getting the surgery for that reason alone. It's an illness this AOSS thing.
That is how I felt when I tore my MCL and had to give up skiing for 4 months (the whole season), but the bright side of it is that what led me to skating which I love and can do year round. Now I feel like I am going into withdrawl if I don't skate at least 3 days a week.
My AOSS started when I enrolled my daughters in basic skills lessons and saw adults on the ice! Had to take a lot of time off after melanoma surgery really mangled my left calf, but just got back on the ice after a 5 year hiatus (with minimal ice time in the 4 years before that) that has seen me go from a freeskate 2 down to a basic 5, phbbtttt! But I got my crossovers and the 2 easy 3-turns back after two 45 minute public ice sessions. Really hoping to find my back outside edges this week though! Might be the skates, and a bad rink sharpening, so I'll try a bit more and then go to the fancy sharpener this next weekend :)
You might have AOSSS when you:
1) plan your work schedule around your ice schedule
2) when traveling for work you check the nearest rink to your destination and make sure you can skate while "away on business". ( my boss still doesn't understand why I rather a hotel further from the conference center... it is closer to the rink... duh)
3) you cancel / reschedule work plans because you have a) comp, b) test c)camp etc.
4) your colleagues don't understand why you can't go out on Friday ( you have skating on saturday morning)
5) You sleep later during the week because the 6:30 saturday and sunday morning are the long and empty sessions.
Quote from: AgnesNitt on February 10, 2012, 05:26:20 PM
And find that practicing your spirals in the elevator when you're alone is good exercise due to the vibration and jerk. If you can hold a spiral through a jerked stop in the elevator--you're golden.
I laughed...
Part of me wants to try that.
The other part KNOWS someone will be standing outside of that door when they open, and I'll probably still be in the arabesque position...
Quote from: Nate on April 29, 2014, 04:29:03 PM
I laughed...
Part of me wants to try that.
The other part KNOWS someone will be standing outside of that door when they open, and I'll probably still be in the arabesque position...
I hearlily recommend
not doing spiral or shoot the duck practice near doors at work either! Someone
will walk through them at just the wrong moment... Sorry K, for entering a spiral at the wrong time and almost kicking you in your face. :blush: A friend also came inches from tripping up her boss while at work showing me her shoot the duck position! Glad he had good reflexes and found it funny! :P
A man I know had a serious knee injury skating. I ran into him recently and learned that his knee is improving and he has started skating again. It just shows that doctors can fix your knee, but there is still no cure for Adult Onset Skating Syndrome.
You practice Plies and spirals on the train platform during your commute, even letting a train or two pass by while you get in a few more stretches.
You work on turnout stretches while watching TV at home.
You bogart the HDMI hookup on the TV to play skating vids on Youtube before anyone else in the family can get on Netflix.
While watching a power point on how a system will display race and ethnicity question, you're seriously distracted by the subcategory chosen - Choctaw!
While everyone is fidgeting in your stand-up status meeting, you try to nonchalantly practice your air position.
Quote from: nicklaszlo on May 06, 2014, 10:38:34 PM
A man I know had a serious knee injury skating. I ran into him recently and learned that his knee is improving and he has started skating again. It just shows that doctors can fix your knee, but there is still no cure for Adult Onset Skating Syndrome.
Some of the comments I see here about skating injuries , especially knees, make me nervous since I took up skating last year to build up my knee after tearing my MCL while skiing.
But I definitely contracted AOSS. In fact I am going to forego my annual Vermont ski trip in December to help offset the cost of weekly skating lessons/ ice time.
Quote from: dlbritton on May 09, 2014, 04:20:22 PM
Some of the comments I see here about skating injuries , especially knees, make me nervous since I took up skating last year to build up my knee after tearing my MCL while skiing.
Honestly until you get into higher level jumps (Axel+) the risk if serious knee injury is really fairly minor if you eliminate freak accidents (the sort which can also happen off the ice).
I did some serious damage to my knee skating as a teenager because I dislocated it on a jump landing.. but 18 years later I know there were multiple contributing factors, none of which are really a factor for me now.. I know what happened and why, and as a result it's not likely to happen again (I've also had the benefit of time and a different coach who has since corrected my jumping technique). That's not to suggest I couldn't re-injure myself or injure my knee in some other way, but I don't stress out about it - what fun would life be if we avoided everything because something bad "might" happen?
As a result of the surgical repair I now have OA in that knee, but for the most part it's not a problem and doesn't impact skating very much, but I do take a prescription anti-inflammatory drug regularly, which has helped a lot. If you don't jump (or limit how much jumping you will do), skating is a relatively low-impact activity and I think it's more beneficial than harmful.
I think I can blame AOSS for my changing our lunch reservations tomorrow 45 minutes later so I can skate with my kids Mother's Day morning. :)
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Quote from: sarahspins on May 10, 2014, 12:45:33 AM
... That's not to suggest I couldn't re-injure myself or injure my knee in some other way, but I don't stress out about it - what fun would life be if we avoided everything because something bad "might" happen? ...
... If you don't jump (or limit how much jumping you will do), skating is a relatively low-impact activity and I think it's more beneficial than harmful.
I certainly agree that life would be dull if we avoided all"risky" activities/endeavors. I took up skating to build my strength up after my skiing injury specifically to be ready to ski the next season.
I know skating has been beneficial to my physical conditioning. I can definitely feel the leg strength I have gained from skating 3 hours a week and it is certainly more enjoyable than time on the elliptical machine and leg press.