Tag Archives: figure skater

Jan5

Best Ice Skating Session EVER

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Best Ice Skating Session EVER

Hello! I was a competitive figure skater for close to a decade and it was a (mostly) wonderful experience. I haven’t gone skating as frequently as I would like in my adulthood but I think that is going to change very soon. Ever since I learned I was going to be an aunt to my first niece six years ago, I have dreamed of taking her skating. My niece told me that she would like to start learning when she was eight but then she changed it to six after talking about it. Yay because this past weekend we went skating for the first time together and it was nothing short of magical. Also my dad chauffeured us and that made it extra special too. Let’s discuss:

We visited the indoor rink in Canton, Center Ice, for our skate date and the open skate was buzzing with people enjoying their holiday vacation. This did not deter my niece from wanting to give it a shot and I was incredibly proud of her for being so brave. It can be intimidating to try something new when there are a lot of people around and I love that she just went for it. With the provided walkers to help beginner skaters at the rink, we made our way to the ice and my cold bitter heart began to swell like the Grinch.

During our first lap or two around, my niece worked on the old March, March, Glide and really got a feel for being on the ice and moving her feet. Then, she would take a quick break and sit with my dad while they watched me bust out some jumps and spins for the one time. After a few minutes I would ask if she wants to join me and we would go back to the ice together. About twenty minutes in, she even asked me if I would just skate around her and the walker so I could guide her through traffic jams if needed and she could DIY. Her confidence on the ice from start to finish raised infinitely and one lap around turned into two turned into three. It was absolutely amazing.

Not only was it a dream come true to skate with my niece for the first time, but it was pinch myself worthy to have my dad there too. My dad took me to almost every one of my skating practices. My mom would handle all of my competitions because my dad was too nervous to watch lol. It was the perfect tradeoff and I always loved that. I know that my dad being there for his granddaughter’s first “practice” was something he was looking forward to too. My dad introduced me to the joy of skating and now he got to watch me do the same for one of the little ones in our family. It was a full circle moment and I will cherish it forever.

I cannot wait to hit the rink up with my niece again if she would like to. If not, that’s okay! After this skate, I want to make an effort to go at least once a month and that seems like a great extra New Year’s Resolution!

Did you play any sports when you were a kid? Do you still play it now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr25

Back On The Ice!

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Back On The Ice!

Hello!! My childhood sport of choice was competitive figure skating and I stopped when I was about sixteen years old. After that, I would skate just for fun and coach for the Special Olympics a few years later. Prior to the pandemic starting, I thought it would be cool to try ice dancing and take lessons again and did just that. Cue pandemic, what felt like an indefinite hiatus, then I was back. Until I wasn’t lol. I had an extremely off putting encounter with a male coach and it instantly sucked all of the joy out of being on the ice again. So, I hung up my skates and never went since. Until this weekend!! Check it out and peep the videos on my TikTok @lilred6794 :

A month or so ago, I noticed one of my friends on social media had recently got back into skating after some time off too. I knew who she was but she skated in a different club than me and was a few years younger than me in high school. However, her decision to skate again inspired me and I thought that it couldn’t hurt to shoot her a message to see if she wanted to go together sometime. The answer was a resounding YES, we scheduled a skate date, and were both so eager to hit the ice together this past weekend.

I arrived at the rink a bit earlier than my friend so I started the open skate session solo. And omg I was feeling good as soon as my blades touched the ice. The open skate was blessedly not crowded at all so I basically had free reign to do anything and everything. I did a few warm up laps and like no time had passed at all, I was back to spins, jumps, and footwork. What’s that old saying about riding a bike? Granted, what I was doing wasn’t perfect and I felt straight up drunk after spinning but I was sure proud of everything that I could still do!

By the time I was nice and warmed up, my friend was ready to get her skate on too. I told Johnny it was like the equivalent of going hiking with a friend. We skated around, talked like we had known each other for years even though we just met, and just had fun skating for the joy of it. It was such a wonderful experience to skate with no pressure whatsoever and to encourage each other to keep trying all of our long lost tricks. Before I knew it, the hour and a half long session was over and we exited the rink exhausted but exhilarated. We are going to try and skate at least once a month and I am already chomping at the bit for our next skate date!

The moral of the story is to NEVER let anyone take the fun and joy out of something you love to do. I am so thankful to have found a friend that gave me the motivation to get back on the ice after swearing off of it and am still riding the high of how proud I feel of both of us!

What is your favorite sport to play? Which sports did you play when you were little? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Treat Day!

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Treat Day!

Hello! This past Tuesday was full of treats for me and it made for a nice, albeit exhausting, day. For the first time in several months, I had a skating lesson in the evening after work and I knew that I would need an extra caffeine jolt to see me through until my arrival home. So, I decided that it was the day to grab my annual winter seasonal drink from Starbucks: The Peppermint Mocha!

I am ashamed to admit that I waited in line at the Starbucks drive thru for at least fifteen minutes for this drink but it was well worth the wait. The Peppermint Mocha is my absolute favorite seasonal drink from Starbies and I would drink it every day if I could. My taste buds would love it but my wallet… Not so much.

My treat drink from Starbucks was as delicious as I remember it being and my only regret is that I didn’t savor it more. It was completely gone by the time I arrived to my next client. Better luck next year, I suppose! Throwing the drink back or nursing it, it definitely did the trick because I still had a shocking amount of energy by the time I arrived at the skating rink for my session at almost five o’clock. And, from a permanently sleepy girl, trust me when I say that this never happens!

It felt so good to get back on the ice after a fairly long hiatus when my coach was on maternity leave and I am always pleased when I can pick up right where I left off from my last lesson. Of course, I felt dead tired the following day because it was a hell of a work out but #noragrets at all and I can’t wait to go back next week.

It is so nice to have something to look forward to during the work week but next time I will have to settle for coffee pot coffee instead of my beloved Starbucks. No one ever said the figure skater lifestyle was easy! 😀

How do you treat yourself? What is your order from Starbucks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep9

Back On The Ice!

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Back On The Ice!

Hi! About a year and a half prior to the start of the pandemic, I got back into ice skating regularly and having lessons with my childhood coach. I looked forward to my weekly lessons so much and I had a blast working on all of my old jumps, spins, and footwork as well as learning how to ice dance. It felt so good to be back on the ice and it did wonders for both my mental and physical health.

Needless to say, I was simply devastated when the pandemic hit and I could no longer skate. Not only did I miss my weekend me time but I was making such good progress which I knew would be lost without hitting the ice. I would do off ice workouts to keep myself sharp but there is nothing better than actually skating!

Now that I am fully vaccinated and settled with my new job, I am so happy to report that I had my first skating lesson this past weekend. It was my first time back on the ice since January of 2020 and it was the absolute best.

Stepping back on the ice after so long was a wonderful feeling and, although I completely forgot all of my ice dances, I was able to pick up right where I left off with everything else. Chalk it up to muscle memory but my coach and I were both incredibly surprised that I was nailing my different jumps and spins on the first go! This made me feel so proud of myself and even more motivated to continue to improve.

By the end of my hour session, I was completely exhausted. Off ice workouts are great but it pales in comparison to the real thing! If I could, I would go skating every single day and even though I was worn out from my session, I wanted to go back on the ice again after a much deserved break!

I cannot wait for my next practice and am so eager to learn new things, improve the old, and relearn all of my ice dances! ❤

Do you play any sports? What is your favorite way to workout? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug23

If The Skate Fits

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If The Skate Fits

Greetings!! As a child and teenager I figure skated competitively, but hung up my skates when I was sixteen or so. After this decision was made, I would still go to the rink and skate for fun but wasn’t really interested in much else. However, this past year, I ran into one of my old coaches and decided that I wanted to get back on the ice.

I started learning how to ice dance simply because I thought that it would be fun and I always wanted to try it. I also felt better starting with this because it’s all footwork as opposed to jumping and spinning. But, during a session this summer, as I worked with one of the ladies who taught me how to skate, she encouraged me to give some freestyle a try. And, after landing a few of my old jumps and nailing some spins, I was hooked.

Now, I practice both ice dancing and freestyle during my sessions and it makes me feel so good. I enjoy my time on the ice more than anything else throughout the week but, I was facing a major problem: the need for a new pair of skates was so real.

The skates that I was using were probably the better part of two decades old. And, they weren’t even mine. Lol, they were a hand me down from another coach so that my family wouldn’t have to invest a ton of money in a new pair. Believe me, they served their purpose well and I am so thankful to them and the coach who gave them to me. And, frankly, if I was only ice dancing, they probably would have still cut it. But, once I began jumping and spinning again, there was just no way that I could continue skating safely with them.

My skates definitely felt unstable and lacked the support I needed for freestyle and I knew that something needed to be done if I wanted to continue practicing without an injury. So, my mom and I took a trip to the Skaters Edge to see what my options were.

The Skaters Edge just so happens to be the skate shop that I went to in all of the years that I’ve been skating. From my first pair of skates to my first competition dress, they were there for all of it. So, imagine my surprise when my mom and I walked into the shop to see that the same two gentlemen were working there ten years later. It felt like going back in time!

Chris was the guy who took care of me during my years as a skater and I remember him well because I had a massive crush on him. And, not much has changed and he has aged like a fine wine. He told me that nothing could be done to make my old skates better and the best option would be to buy a new pair. This is what I was fearing, because I knew that it would be expensive. But, we were able to cut the cost down by putting my old blade on a new boot and I ended up with these pretty new babies by Jackson:

skatesskates1

^^^ Peep that blinged out back!

My new skates fit like a glove and I am so in love with them. They are simply beautiful and they feel like they were made just for me. The tweaks and touches that Chris added to make sure that they fit me properly were done with the steady hand and eye of a surgeon and I am so thankful for his precision and workmanship.

I have yet to skate on my new babes because there is a break in summer ice before the fall begins. But, I can’t wait to get back on the ice and test them out! I know that they are just what I need to continue to skate safely and advance in my sport and I could not be happier with them. ❤

Do you play any sports? What kind of equipment did you need to invest in to play? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul26

A Brief Update: Blahhhhhhhhhh

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A Brief Update: Blahhhhhhhhhh

Hi! I swear, these past few weeks have felt like a nonstop grind for Lil Red. I don’t know if it’s so much that I’m working more as much as I’m exhausted both emotionally and physically. First it was a break up that I’m not happy about, then the passing of one of our sweet family dogs, on top of my normal work week, concluded with ninety degree weather here in Ohio. So, needless to say, I am worn out.

Although a break can’t happen this month because my schedule for my clients is already in effect, I definitely plan on taking a few days off come August. I just feel like I haven’t even had a moment to myself to process everything that’s going on in my life without the stress of work, writing, housework, and the fact that I feel like I am light years beyond in the relationship game. But, that’s neither here nor there.

Despite things all around sucking in my life, I am happy to be able to go skating every week now. It’s a nice change of pace from every other week and it gives me something to look forward to to help take my mind off of things. It feels good to clear my head when I’m on the ice. Now, if only it would stay like that post skating sesh! -__-

skatee

How do you help yourself shake off the blues? What cheers you up when you’re feeling down? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun17

Summer Skating

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Summer Skating

Greetings! This past year, I have enjoyed firing up my old passion of figure skating by learning how to ice dance. Every other week, I drive up to Lakewood to work with one of my old coaches, who I consider one of the best of the best. He truly is an extraordinaire in all things figure skating and it has been such a pleasure to have him teach me again.

Unfortunately, with summer upon us, all of the hockey camps are in full swing and it drastically changes the times when us figure skaters can do our thing. There were literally no times that I could skate in Lakewood with my coach, Chris, without rearranging my work schedule dramatically, which I really didn’t want to do.

So, I had to come up with Plan B and contacted the coach, whose name is also Sarah, and who taught me literally everything to see if she could squeeze me in. Thankfully, we arranged an early morning ice time for a skate sesh and I worked with her for the first time in close to a decade this past week. And, did I mention that it was at the rink in Kent where I learned how to skate? Talk about nostalgia!

I enjoyed my skate time so much by being at my old rink with my former coach and it felt just like the good old days. I even worked on a few jumps instead of just strictly ice dancing, which I wasn’t expecting, but I’m glad I did! I had such a blast and felt so good afterwards that I just had to call my parents and thank them for all of the years that they supported my sport.

All of the lessons, dresses and skates, and competitions were not cheap. But, they gave me something that I will be able to work hard at and that gives me so much joy for many years to come and I am so thankful for that. It hit me so hard after being at the rink where they would take me for all of those years and I am looking forward to spending my summer ice time there. Thanks again, mom and dad! ❤

What sport did you play when you were younger? Are you still active in it now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct30

Making Time For Me

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Making Time For Me

Hello! I know the title of this post might seem a bit extra to some, considering I just recently was on vacation. But, oh my goodness is it necessary. Upon returning home from my trip, my work days were absolutely insane. We’re talking rising at seven to get ready and going, going, going nonstop until my arrival home after nine at night. Ah, the joys of playing catch up when you work for yourself and don’t get PTO!

With all of that craziness in mind, it was so important for me to make time for myself to go skating in between clients this past week. Despite a forty-five minute drive there and back to the rink, just one hour on the ice made me feel much better. The cold air, the challenge, and the exercise was more than enough to clear my head half way through the week and gave me the drive to push through until my weekend days off.

Sometimes, I have a really hard time making time for myself. I will work myself so hard to the point that, when I do have free time, I just want to veg out and do nothing. And, believe me, I was feeling this way last week like no other. But, I pushed myself to get to skating practice, even though I was riding the struggle bus, and it was well worth it. Not only did I feel proud of myself for having a good skate, but it left me feeling invigorated and ready for work, which I had to be at shortly after practice.

Making time for yourself doesn’t mean that you need to take an entire mental health day. Although, sometimes, that’s good too! Rather, I took under three hours of my day to do something that I really enjoy and the pay off was grand. Over the past few months, I have experienced the effects of feeling burnt out, and it is no walk in the park. But, I know that if I keep carving out time for myself during my work week, that my mental health will continue to improve and my determination to finish the week strong instead of idly passing through it will keep me on top in all aspects of my life.

How do you make time for you during your working hours? What do you do for yourself when you start to feel burnt out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep15

Do You For You

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Do You For You

Hello everyone and happy weekend! As many of you probably know, I figure skated competitively for close to ten years. I still love to hit the rink every now and then to get my skate on, but, I haven’t had a real lesson in about eight years. And, this past week, that changed! After running into one of my old coaches while I was at work, I decided that I would like to try my hand at ice dancing. And, try my hand at ice dancing I did!

I had the absolute best time being back on the ice and actually learning something new. Ice dancing is completely foreign to me, but the old girl can’t jump like she used to so I figured that dancing would be the best way to go. I had a half hour lesson with my coach, Chris, who is really the end all be all in my neck of the woods when it comes to all aspects of skating. Then, I got to practice on my own for a half hour.

By the end of my time on the ice, I was beat! But, boy, did it feel good. As I consider continuing to learn ice dancing, I find myself leaning towards not doing it, because it’s rather expensive. And, then, I find myself thinking that I do so much for others and that maybe I should do something for me, for once. Having a lesson every other week is definitely not as desirable as weekly skate time. But, it’s the best I can do and it sure would make me happy.

It feels so good to have something that I’m genuinely excited about. I’m twenty-four, which, for all intents and purposes, is over the hill in the skating world. But, I came back on the ice strong, I tried hard, and I can’t wait to do it again.

Doing you for you is so important, because if you don’t take that extra time for yourself, it’s so easy to become burnt out. I was definitely getting to that point and just one hour on the ice made me feel totally rejuvenated. And, you just can’t put a price on that. 🙂

Then and now! ❤

How do you do you for you? What is a hobby that you did when you were younger that you would like to get back into? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov19

Special Olympics 2017 Banquet

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Special Olympics 2017 Banquet

Hi everyone! This past week, the Special Olympics hosted their yearly banquet to celebrate the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families that dedicate themselves to such an incredible organization. I have been coaching Special Olympics figure skating for three years now and every practice, competition, and event is such a joy to be a part of. This year, I was honored as the Volunteer Of The Year for my involvement as a coach. It was such an amazing surprise and I have my award displayed proudly already! Check it out:

awardd

^^^ Isn’t that cute?!

I know that I used this word already, but “honored” really describes how I feel about receiving this award. Out of all of the incredible coaches that volunteer their time to the cause, yours truly was chosen, and that is such an indescribable feeling. I am so proud to have been celebrated by my beloved athletes and their families, and I am looking forward to working with my skaters to be the best that they can be, on and off the ice, at our next lesson. ❤

What is something that you are proud of? Which organizations do you volunteer for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: CBS DFW