Strawberry Matcha Latte – It’s Like Spring in a Glass

by | May 1, 2024 | Mind & Body Balance

Strawberry Matcha Latte

Spring is a time of renewal and transformation, a beautiful reminder of the ever-present cycle of change in our lives. As the competition season gradually comes to a close and skating shows take center stage, we find ourselves immersed in the vibrant energy of this season. Amidst the budding flowers and blossoming trees, it’s essential to pause and reflect on our own growth as skaters. Just as nature undergoes a remarkable transformation during springtime, so do we experience growth, progress, and achievement in our skating journey. Spring serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate how far we’ve come, to celebrate our accomplishments, and to embrace the opportunities for growth that lie ahead. It’s a time to acknowledge the beauty of change and to find inspiration in the ever-evolving nature of our skating endeavors.

With that, I raise a glass to growth, gratitude, and the new competitive season just around the corner. This glass however is not filled with sparkling wine but rather a Strawberry Matcha Latte because let’s face it… it’s on brand for the blog!

Strawberry Matcha Latte

Ingredients: 1 cup of your favorite plant-based milk (or regular milk if you prefer) 2-3 strawberries 2 Tbsp of half and half 1/2 tsp matcha powder

Instructions: Whisk Matcha powder into hot (not boiling) water. Add ice to a glass. Add the plant milk. Slowly pour in the Matcha mixture. In a small blender, add strawberries and half and half and blend until thoroughly mixed and frothy. Pour pink strawberry mixture on the top of the glass. Give it a quick stir to combine the milk, matcha, and strawberry layers and garnish with an extra berry.

Enjoy!  And tag me on Instagram @lattesandlutzes if you make this!

Starting Strong: What I Wish I Knew for Skating Success

by | Apr 28, 2024 | Skating Essentials

What I Wish I Knew

I stumbled into figure skating without much planning; it was merely a weekend activity to survive the cold New England winters. As I progressed, I realized I lacked essential information. Here’s what I wish I knew when I started, in hopes it helps those new to the sport.

Fortunately, I landed in a learn-to-skate program with credentialed coaches and an organized structure. For those unsure of where to begin, I highly recommend checking the US Figure Skating site for a nearby program. These clubs often provide year-round facilities, essential for consistent practice. Moreover, they offer access to private coaches for those looking to advance beyond the basic program. Many clubs also host seminars and workshops, some tailored specifically for adults. The adult skating community is incredibly supportive, eager to share resources and experiences.

Regarding equipment, it’s essential to invest in your own skates. While rental skates suffice for initial lessons, owning a pair ensures comfort and safety. However, be prepared for the inevitable need to upgrade as your skills progress. Skate boots and blades are designed for specific skill levels, so adjustments are necessary as you advance.

Additionally, as you transition from beginner to intermediate levels, your boot size may change. This adjustment accommodates the increased intensity of advanced skating, ensuring proper support and comfort. Find yourself a great skate technician.

Understanding the significance of off-ice training came to me later. Skating requires balance, flexibility, and mobility distinct from other sports. Whether through your skating club or online, off-ice classes provide valuable insights into skating mechanics. You can learn how to jump, turn, and spin off the ice first. This training instills a sense of confidence and familiarity with movements, leading to improved performance on the ice.

Reflecting on my journey, two crucial skills I wish I had learned earlier are falling safely and understanding my equipment. Practicing controlled falls minimizes fear and injury, while mastering blade control enhances stability and control on the ice.

What surprised you the most when you started skating? Comment below.

Advice for returning to the ice after a major injury

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Conversations

What is it like returning to the ice after a major injury?

In the world of competitive figure skating, injuries are an unfortunate reality. Most are thankfully minor and take us off the ice for just a few days, but what happens when something more serious occurs? What is it like to be off the ice for an extended period of time, and more importantly, what does the return look like? I’m happy that my friend and fellow competitor, Rylie Smith, was willing to share her story. In our conversation, we delved into her journey of overcoming adversity, both physical and mental, as she shares her experiences of recovering from an ankle injury and a subsequent head injury.

First Came an Ankle Injury:

Rylie talked through what took her off the ice, starting with an ankle injury. During a normal pre-competition warm-up off the ice, Rylie recounts how she rolled her foot and landed on her ankle. What initially seemed like a minor incident quickly turned into a serious setback, with her ankle swelling to the size of a baseball. Despite initial uncertainty about the extent of the injury, the diagnosis confirmed a strain rather than a fracture. The road to recovery was fairly straightforward, marked by physical therapy, cautious rehabilitation, and a gradual return to the ice after a few months.

Next Comes a Head Injury:

Just as Rylie was regaining her confidence on the ice and beginning to compete again, a head injury threw her plans into disarray. A hard fall occurred during a routine practice on a simple move, leaving her grappling with symptoms resembling a concussion, including dizziness and sensitivity to light and noise. At first, Rylie didn’t think she was hurt that badly and continued skating for a little bit, but she knew something wasn’t right. It took a while to even get a proper diagnosis. So unlike the ankle injury, this recovery process was less defined, leading to uncertainty and frustration. Due to the time it took to get a proper diagnosis and the continued symptoms, Rylie was off the ice for more than ten months.

Navigating Uncertainty:

With two major injuries disrupting her skating career, Rylie faced a long period of uncertainty and doubt. She began working with a physical therapist last July. They worked on a lot of balance exercises, which began to build Rylie’s confidence. After a few months, she also started back with her own gym workouts, nothing strenuous, but it was a start. After months of balancing physical rehabilitation with mental resilience, persevering through setbacks and challenges, Rylie was determined to return to the ice.

Finally Cleared for a Return to the Ice:

Just a few weeks ago, Rylie was finally cleared to return to skate. She was thankful to have the off-ice exercises and the gym to begin building confidence. Despite progress in physical therapy, the fear of re-injury and some ongoing symptoms from the head injury loomed large, impacting her performance and mindset.

As Rylie returned to skating, she adopted a cautious approach, breaking down skills and rebuilding confidence step by step. She also shifted her goals and approach to skating. Because some symptoms of the head injury still linger today, Rylie has plenty of skating goals to strive for but has been fluid with the timeline. She knows there’s a return for her but is taking it day by day. Happy to be back on the ice!

Looking Ahead and Advice for Other Skaters:

Despite the setbacks, Rylie remains hopeful and determined. While the road to recovery may be long and uncertain, she is committed to taking each day as it comes, focusing on gradual progress and celebrating every milestone along the way. And that’s her best advice to others returning from injury. “It won’t be the same,” she says, “you may have more of a learning curve on a move or element. There will likely be mental blocks. It’s good to set goals for yourself. But it’s also best to be kind of fluid with the timelines.”

Through setbacks and challenges, Rylie continues to inspire with her unwavering commitment to her passion for skating, reminding us all that with courage and resilience, anything is possible.

How to Pace Yourself for the Long Game

by | Apr 17, 2024 | Mind & Body Balance

Playing the long game

On Monday, I caught glimpses of the Boston Marathon, and it got me thinking – skating and marathons are about both about playing the long game. It’s funny when we first start skating; it’s often through the Learn to Skate program, which gives you a series of simple check-the-box goals as you learn elements. You can tick the boxes, pass your test at the end of a learning session, and progress to the next level. It’s a great way to get an introduction to the sport, but sometimes, I think it sets us up for unrealistic expectations. It’s so much easier to progress forward with little to no regression at the beginning of learning something new.

You’ve got to pace yourself

When running a marathon, especially Boston with its unique terrain, the strategy is to pace yourself. You see, Boston begins downhill, and therefore, it’s easy to go out too fast and have nothing left once you hit the Newton Hills. Skating is similar in that it’s easy to get lulled into checking the boxes with each newly learned element, then move towards the next. But once you reach a certain level, you realize it’s much more complex than that. For example, it’s very humbling to finish your competitive season, in some cases on the podium, then during your first lesson post-season hear your coach say, ‘so let’s work on those crossovers.’ My mind instantly goes, ‘wait, didn’t I receive a teddy bear certificate (if you know, you know) saying I completed those’? Ticking off a box indicating you understand the mechanics of an element and really mastering it are two different things.

Getting over Heartbreak Hill

Like the second half of the Boston Marathon, things get more challenging as you progress. There’s much said about Heartbreak Hill on the Boston Marathon course, but it’s not that hill that breaks you. It’s what came before it. Heartbreak Hill sits around mile 20 on the course and comes after the many hills getting through Newton. In skating, our Heartbreak Hill comes in returning to the ice after injury, or training through an injury, or attempting to continue training during an extremely busy time at the office. It’s working through self-doubt when you lose a jump you used to be able to count on. It’s overcoming fear. Fear of a new element or fear of failure.

The CITGO sign is further away than you think

Since 1965, the CITGO sign has been an iconic presence on the Boston Marathon race route. It sits in Kenmore Square like a beacon of hope, letting runners know they are close to the finish of the race. The crazy thing is you see many glimpses of the sign before actually reaching it. Sort of like a false oasis. In skating, this is like trusting the process even when doubt creeps in. It’s the perseverance to keep on the training regimen when you are tempted to veer off the path. By the time they reach the sign, many runners need to remind themselves they can do this; their body is fit from the months and months of training leading up to this point. Much the same way skaters stand at center ice during a competition or test session and need to dig deep to rely on the muscle memory gained from the countless hours of practice that brought them there.

Take a left at Boylston Street

The final left turn onto Boylston Street is where runners get the glimpse of the finish line and for many the first time they know that they know – they’ve got this. 26.2 miles is FINALLY within reach. It’s not that different than landing your final jumping pass in a program knowing you only have one spin left. While I don’t know many marathoners who say ‘that went by so fast’ I do know as a skater we sometimes get to the end of our programs surprised how quickly it went by. It’s not until we look back and reflect that we realize what we accomplished and how much we learnt about ourselves along the way. That it turns out we were capable of so much more than we thought possible.

Playing the long game

In my relatively short time in the sport, I’ve come to view skating as a long game, and we need to pace ourselves accordingly. It’s a sport of so much repetition and remembering the smallest of details in our quest for a perfection we can never achieve. It’s also a sport of perseverance, of believing the impossible, and showing up every single day. But perhaps the most important part is like the hundreds of thousands of fans who line the route of the Boston Marathon to cheer the runners on… skating too, is about the people you meet along the way. Some help get you ‘over a hill’ and some are with you for the entire journey.

How to find out if you’re in the wrong skates

by | Apr 14, 2024 | Skating Essentials

How to find out if you're in the wrong skates

Have you ever found yourself questioning whether you’re in the wrong skates? If so, you’re not alone. Skate fitting is a nuanced process that requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal performance and comfort on the ice. To shed light on this topic, I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jonathan English, former professional skater, coach, and owner of The Sharper Edge Skates, to explore the intricacies of skate fitting and how to set yourself up for success.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions

One prevalent misconception about figure skate fitting is the belief in a one-size-fits-all approach. However, as Jonathan explains, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Skaters of different ages, levels, and disciplines have unique needs when it comes to boot fitting. For example, smaller children doing advanced jumps may require stiffer boots for adequate support, whereas adult skaters performing single jumps may benefit from a similar setup due to their size and training intensity.

Finding the Balance: Over Booting vs. Under Booting

Selecting the right boot involves striking a delicate balance between over booting and under booting. Over booting can lead to discomfort and hinder performance, while under booting may compromise the boots’ durability. Each boot has a stiffness rating, but it’s crucial to consider the skater’s activity level, body size, and training intensity. The brand of the boot is also a factor, with options like the Edea Ice Fly, which has a higher stiffness rating, but a lower profile, and is easy to break in. This can be suitable for skaters needing support while still allowing for ankle flexibility.

The Perfect Fit: What to Look For

Jonathan suggests trying on multiple sizes to find the perfect fit, starting with the smallest size.  Skates that feel slightly snug during the fitting will allow for the padding to settle with wear and for the foot to be pushed back in the boot once the laces are tightened. Additionally, custom orthotics can correct foot pronation and improve alignment, enhancing the boot fit and feel.

Blade Selection and Customization

The initial blade size is determined by the brand of boot. For beginner skaters, the toe pick is positioned further away from the ice. As skaters progress, the toe pick is lowered for improved spinning and jumping. On very advanced blades, the toe pick is once again set further from the ice requiring a skater with the skill to handle the curve. Many skaters request a 7-foot or an 8-foot rocker radius, but the secondary rocker radius, which determines heel lift, that is the key factor. For example, observing the lift on the back of the blade during spins will highlight that secondary rocker radius.  Too much curve will prove challenging for a less experienced skater to balance on. Finally, skaters performing complex maneuvers such as triple or quad axels may opt for less secondary rocker or a customized blade sharpening to ensure they hit the toe pick sooner for the advanced jump.

Embracing Innovation: Lightweight Boots and Blades

Advancements in technology have led to the development of lighter-weight boots and blades, which are increasingly popular among competitive skaters. These innovations offer benefits such as improved maneuverability and reduced fatigue, particularly for skaters who spend extensive time on the ice. However, some adults returning to the sport after an absence may prefer traditional equipment for its familiarity and comfort.

The Role of Communication and Feedback

Effective communication between the skater and the skate technician is crucial for achieving the best fit and performance. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of ongoing dialogue and encourages skaters to voice any concerns or discomfort promptly. By speaking with a coach or viewing a video of the skater in practice, skate technicians can gain valuable insights into the skater’s needs and make necessary adjustments to optimize performance.

Exploring New Possibilities

While changing brands of skates can be daunting, it can also open up new possibilities for improved fit and performance. Trying out a friend’s skates or purchasing older pairs online to test different brands before committing to a purchase can provide valuable insights. However, Jonathan cautions that older blades may have diminished rocker, affecting their feel.

By understanding the nuances of skate fitting and prioritizing communication and feedback, skaters can set themselves up for success on the ice. So, if you’ve ever wondered, “How am I in the wrong skates?” remember that with the right guidance and expertise, you can find your perfect fit and skate with confidence.