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There are times when I feel that I’m merely going through the motions of training with little progress, frustrations mounting, signaling the need for a quick reset. This is not a big evaluation, meet with the coach, change the routine kind of thing but truly a skating ‘deep breath’. A few ways I’ve done this are:

Skate on a public session:

Swap a regimented training hour for the easiness of a public session. There is no better way to experience the progress you’ve made than through the eyes of recreational skaters. Performing a waltz jump or simple upright spin might have people approaching you as though you’ve been named to the Olympic team! For me, this is also a time to observe other skaters who are just happy to stand on skates (even with the help of gripping the side boards) and enjoy their time on the ice. 

Take a class:

Dive into a different aspect of skating by attending a class. Many skating clubs offer seminars and specialty classes in everything from performance, skating skills, or edge classes. I recently took a couple of seminars on school figures and discovered I really like them (this coming from a girl who hates moves in the field or skating skills as they are now called). There is something about repeating the same circular move 20-30 times in a row that felt a lot like yoga to me, where all judgment was released, and the focus was truly on feeling where my blade is. Sometimes when I’m having a particularly rough jump day, I’ll try a few figures, and that typically has me feeling better before leaving the ice.

Explore a new rink:

Break-up the routine by exploring a new rink or get rid of the rink entirely. On a recent trip to Quebec, I ended up skating on a frozen lake. It was a totally new experience skating on less than perfect ice and realizing how much wind plays a part in your ability to jump and spin. I can’t believe skaters used to compete at the highest levels on outdoor ice! Different surroundings can invigorate your perspective, and you might discover an unexpected source of inspiration in a new environment.

Immerse yourself in skating culture:

Rediscover the love for the sport by immersing yourself in skating culture. Read a skating book to gain insights from experts or watch TV coverage of skating competitions. Watch, participate, or volunteer for a skating show.

In the midst of challenging training, it’s crucial to inject fun back into your routine. Take a moment to remember why you started skating, what drew you to the ice, and the joy it brought you. A skating reset is not just about technique; it’s about reigniting the passion that fuels your journey on the ice.

Let me know in the comments below; what have you done to reset your routine?