The more I skate.....

[Rachelsk8s]

I don't know what it is, but since last week I feel as though my skating hasn't been its usual norm Last week and today has just felt off.  My spins were horrible, just couldn't get my camel right which is usually pretty good.  Jumps were ok, but even still I felt off going into them.  I'm skating more with my coach this summer, 3 times per week, plus extra practice sessions so I'm not sure what it is.  Do any of you have weeks like this? lol I know we all have days like this but I feel as though I've been more off than usual its making me feel very unmotivated to skate in general.

[techskater]

When you skate more, you need to get your skates sharpened more often.  Could they be dull? I know when I wait too long, I feel totally off

[Rachelsk8s]

I actually just got them sharpened after I skated last Friday They were definitely in need of a sharpening, although I'm kinda crazy with having super sharp skates lol I've just felt off; maybe its because I've been skating more than usual, well for myself at least.  I am usually on the ice a lot during the rest of the year, I teach LTS a few times a week, but I have always skated about 4/5 times a week.  I know I probably sound pitiful with my post lol,  and my apologies if it sounds like that I had just came home from a session, completely missed my lesson with my coach this morning so I was already feeling blah I have definitely had a lot of off days but it just seems to be going on longer than just a few days.  I'm hoping tomorrow morning with my coach will be better.

[jjane45]

Sometimes one just needs a break, come back fresh and ready to fight. (I think I need one lol)

[JSM]

My best skates are always after days off - I don't think that's a coincidence! 

Also, I don't know what the weather has been like where you are, but overall I feel exhausted and lethargic with 100+ degree temperatures for the past week or two (and no end in sight).

But overall I'm sure your stamina will improve with all the extra skating!

[Rachelsk8s]

Aww thanks guys I think your right, a break is probably needed!!  And I agree, usually when I have a good break from skating, I seem to skate better!!  I think I've already gotten used to skating so much that thinking not skating this past weekend, (only 2 days off) was a good little break but it definitely didn't do the trick lol!! Thanks so much for the advice, I was just having one of those frustrating days of feeling like I couldn't do anything right 

Oh and yes the weather I don't think helps either, I live in Mass and its been pretty humid which makes me loose a lot of motivation and energy lol

[slcbelle]

The more I skate, the worse I think I skate.  I'm feeling a bit down as well.  I think it's because I expect to be perfect and I'm just starting.  I know how you're feeling.  I'm upping my time with my coach from 1 to 2 days a week to try to overcome it.  But, I will still be dissatisfied in my ability I'm sure.

[jjane45]

Well, watch videos of yourself skating last year for inspiration if needed. I am sure you made tons of progress!

[taka]

I have weeks on end like that sometimes. My skating goes through horrible peaks and troughs. Great for a while then for no apparent reason (at the time) things are just off for weeks on end. It is really disheartening.

I was really feeling like that before my rink shut for renovations. In a rut really - sort of flat and wondering what I was doing, nothing really going particularly well and a few things I though I could do ok were horrific! I've skated the grand total of 10 times in 2 months now (with at least another fortnight with no ice at all) and I feel it has actually improved my enjoyment of skating in a way. The last few sessions have been really good and I know various things have noticably improved by not working them to death endlessly and demoralising myself.

Sometimes those sucky weeks (months?) mean I'm improving though... My dances go through horrific stages for weeks on end, where I can barely do them at all. They come out the other side of it much stronger - usually with increased edge depth and improved speed. It just meant that I hadn't quite learned how to cope with the improved skating but am now beginning to! Same with my spins (although they are often fickle anyway  ) - more speed and revs = horrific periods until I can get the hang of the new improved speed etc! It really helps me to think back to where I was 6 months ago and I know I am improving.

[Rachelsk8s]

The more I skate, the worse I think I skate.  I'm feeling a bit down as well.  I think it's because I expect to be perfect and I'm just starting.  I know how you're feeling.  I'm upping my time with my coach from 1 to 2 days a week to try to overcome it.  But, I will still be dissatisfied in my ability I'm sure.

I am a perfectionist too Which can be good and bad, but most times I think that it is not a good thing for me at least.  I find myself sometimes obsessing over things for way too long and then neglect other things that I should be working on.  Its really strange lol how the mind works

Well, watch videos of yourself skating last year for inspiration if needed. I am sure you made tons of progress!

That is an awesome idea!!  Unfortunately I have no videos of myself skating   But I do have photos lol and honestly just thinking about where I was last year has made me feel better.

I have weeks on end like that sometimes. My skating goes through horrible peaks and troughs. Great for a while then for no apparent reason (at the time) things are just off for weeks on end. It is really disheartening.

I was really feeling like that before my rink shut for renovations. In a rut really - sort of flat and wondering what I was doing, nothing really going particularly well and a few things I though I could do ok were horrific! I've skated the grand total of 10 times in 2 months now (with at least another fortnight with no ice at all) and I feel it has actually improved my enjoyment of skating in a way. The last few sessions have been really good and I know various things have noticably improved by not working them to death endlessly and demoralising myself.

Sometimes those sucky weeks (months?) mean I'm improving though... My dances go through horrific stages for weeks on end, where I can barely do them at all. They come out the other side of it much stronger - usually with increased edge depth and improved speed. It just meant that I hadn't quite learned how to cope with the improved skating but am now beginning to! Same with my spins (although they are often fickle anyway  ) - more speed and revs = horrific periods until I can get the hang of the new improved speed etc! It really helps me to think back to where I was 6 months ago and I know I am improving.

Thanks for all your thoughts It really has made me feel a lot better, knowing its just not myself lol that goes through more than just days of off skating!!  I do the same thing with working on things endlessly, which after speaking to my coach this morning has said that it can sometimes have an opposite effect when you over train elements.  I'm planning on trying to work through it, but think a small break may also help me enjoy skating more

[TreSk8sAZ]

If you are skating more than your normal amount, it may be that your stamina isn't as high. I'm going through this right now. I've started an exercise class two days a week on top of skating. Even though I don't necessarily feel it all the time, my body is a bit fatigued so things just aren't happening like I expect them to. You may not feel tired (as in sleepy) but your body may need time to adjust to skating more.

[Rachelsk8s]

If you are skating more than your normal amount, it may be that your stamina isn't as high. I'm going through this right now. I've started an exercise class two days a week on top of skating. Even though I don't necessarily feel it all the time, my body is a bit fatigued so things just aren't happening like I expect them to. You may not feel tired (as in sleepy) but your body may need time to adjust to skating more.

Oh you are absolutely right!!  My coach was choreographing my new program today and I was getting tired going through it again and again with her lol Man I gotta start jogging again!!  I have been slacking with my off ice stuff that includes cardio, still dedicated to stretching and using weights but I really need to put in the cardio again soon.  Thanks for your input