Cashmere and Rental Skates

As an ice rookie and a notorious tightwad with my cash (looking back, entering one of the most expensive sports known to mankind may have been a silly choice), I vowed to stay with rental skates through the end of my first Learn to Skate session.  This was not an easy task considering I was lacing my feet into a veritable petri dish each week, but alas I made it through and last weekend bit the bullet to purchase new skates.

Upon the recommendation of my Learn to Skate instructor, I set up an appointment for a fitting at the local skate shop.  Inevitably, the question of "what have you been skating in," came up and I proudly displayed my fuzzy pink cashmere socks- the same pair one might lounge, watching TV in when no one else is at home.  Apparently "these and rental skates," was not the correct answer.  Thankfully Skate Man did not go into cardiac arrest, but rather commenced sizing me for a boot.  I nearly fell off the bench when he told me I was a size 5.5- not the size 7 I had previously been wearing.  I consider not breaking an ankle these last few weeks to be perhaps the largest accomplishment of my skating (though just in case, my insurance card always is in gear bag).   

I walked out with a shiny white pair of Riedell 229 TS skates and even splurged on the fancy inserts to stop my high arches from pronating to the inside edge.  Marketed for upper-level basic skills students and early freestyle levels, the price point ($229 for the boot and blade set) seemed reasonable and after one session on them I pleased as punch- I hadn't realized quite how snug the skates ought to fit or what a difference a sharp blade makes.  Moral of the story: trust the professional and keep the cashmere socks at home for 'Golden Girls' re-runs.

First pair of skates: Riedell 229 TS, sold as a set with Eclipse Astra blades
Total cost: $289 (skates, inserts, soakers and hard blade guards)





  

Sochi 2014... Or Basic 8 (whichever comes first)

Six weeks ago marked my foray into the world of figure skating.  The product of a quarter life crisis, I decided to debunk the “can’t teach an old dog new tricks” cliché.  At 21, I am by no means 'old,' but lining up for class amongst students half my height certainly took the ego down a notch.  Walking into the rink, I see the quizzical expression from parents wondering why on earth I am skating next to their children, most of whom are half my age.      

I certainly have not mastered much of anything, other than falling, and even that lacks the grace of a skater.  I prefer the kamikaze approach, either thrusting my body into the boards or hoping that the extra 80 pounds I have on the young tikes will cushion the fall a bit.  After the first session of lessons, I have a very basic knowledge of 3-turns, Mohawks, waltz jumps and a horrendous two foot spin.

While I am keenly aware that I will never skate like Sasha Cohen, nor will the US Olympic Committee be sending my tickets to Sochi anytime soon, I am determined to learn something new and get out of my comfort zone.  Last week after class, a mother approached me and remarked, “you look like you are having so much fun,” and that was the truth- I haven’t had this much fun in a long time! Hearing that beats any 6.0 from a judge. 

Time on ice: 6 weeks
Beginning skill level: Bambi on ice
Ending skill level: Basic 8/ Freestyle 1