Learning the ways
of the Ice
We all have role models in life. Athletes we hope to be as
good as someday, models and actresses we want to look and act like. When I was
8 years old my role model was Michelle Kwan. The most graceful and elegant
figure skater to ever skate in my eyes. How could someone have so much talent?
How could someone balance all their weight on a blade so thin and jump and spin
on it with no fear? I was amazed, I have always loved watching the winter
Olympics from as far back as I can remember and the figure skating was always
my favorite event to watch. I wanted to learn how to skate I wanted to posses
the talent that all those Olympic skaters had.
I was 8 years old when my mom took my friend and me to the
Bremerton Ice Arena for fun. We rented the ugly brown skates they had there
that were dull as a worn out ax, but I was so excited to get on the ice. The
very first day I was hooked. I knew it was something I loved and wanted to
stick with. This would be my sport. Granted
the first day was rough not knowing what I was doing, and my friend and I were
out there just having a good time but as the day went on I got the hang of my
balance and I was a natural. I started
in group lessons with all the
other little kids that had the same goal and dream as I did but it wasn't
enough, I needed more. I craved more. I
was catching on so quickly and I didn't want to wait for the rest of the group
to move on to the next lesson. So I talked to my mom and she asked the coach
and I started private lessons. My first coach’s name was Brenda. She was such a
good coach for me to start with she taught me so much, I started with about 2
lessons a week and I practiced about 3 or 4 times a week in the beginning. This then moved to me coming in 5 days a week
before and after school. Waking up at 5 am to go to Bremerton from Indianola was
not the easiest thing but I did it and I wanted to. Now that I look back I had never
been so dedicated to something in my life. I couldn't imagine having to wake up
that early now to go do anything unless it was a job per say.
I remember my first
competition I was so nervous it was over in Shoreline at this god awful rink
there. I couldn’t tell you the name of the music I skated to but I can still
hear it playing in my head. I believe my first program lasted a whole minute
and a half? Yes all that practice and money spent on lessons that led up to a
minute and a half of my life that could end in a split second if I stumbled and
fell. There were typically about 5 or 6 judges who each had a specific thing
they were looking for and judging you on. For example one could favor jumps the
other spins and the other chirography. And when everything was added up that’s how
they determined who came first who came last and all the others in between.
After the first competition was out of the woods there were more to come. Competition
season came just like every other sport it was typically from March until June
possibly July. And they were all over the place the furthest I traveled for
one was southern Oregon. Travelling was one of my favorite parts it was so much
fun to go stay in a hotel with my whole family or just my mom sometimes but it wasn't
just us either, every competitive skater
from the rink was there with their families too. The other skaters and their families
felt like my second family we all spent so much time together from the off
season during summer camp at the rink all the way through competition season.
After two years of
skating, when I was 11, I decided it was time for me to switch coaches. I needed to move forward. I wanted to tell my
mom, but she was really stressed out dealing with my sister who was critically
ill. I didn't think my mom needed any more stress, so I handled it myself.
After practice one day I told her I had let my coach go. I still remember the
look on her face. I told her not to worry; I had already hired another coach,
Outi Francis, from Finland! Although I felt guilty telling Brenda alone that I was
practically firing her and going for someone more experienced, she took it well. My new coach was the best
coach at the rink there was no one better than her, I never would have switched
coaches after switching to her. I learned so much from her I felt like I really
learned to skate after being with her. She expected a lot out of me and for me
to work my ass off but that’s because she was working her ass off teaching me. I
didn't only switch to Outi because she had more technical experience I switched
because I could see her students and how well each of their programs were put together,
the chirography was beautiful and the music she picked wasn't boring and wasn't
going to lull the audience to sleep. I had never been so happy, I had so much
fun with her being my coach. And I had never won first place so much until I started
working with her. I got so used to winning I was always a very competitive person
but now that I knew how I could do I set this bar for myself and if I didn't reach
it I felt as if I was failing myself. I was only 12 years old thinking like
this. Thinking if it’s not first place, its last. Which is what ruined it in a
way for me that I could only be happy if I was winning but that’s not what
sports are about you don’t always win and you can’t always win. I wish I would
have realized that a long time ago.
My last competition was
July 2008. And now six years later I can remember every last detail of that day
like it was yesterday. I can still smell the Ice. It became a part of me. The
sound of my blades as I skated, the exhilaration and adrenaline that pumped
through my veins was like nothing I have ever felt. The Washington State Games were being held
over at OVA, the nicest rink in Mount Lake Terrace. I was skating to Pirates of
the Caribbean the program couldn't have been put together any better my dress couldn't
have fit the music more perfectly, it was custom made with a corset like tie in
the back and the stone work on it was impeccable. After my performance I knew I
wasn't getting first my landing on my axle was off I didn't skate to the best
of my ability that day. When the results came I took my skates off and didn't put
them on but once in these six years. I had only received second place and the
sad part is I couldn't tell you how many people I was up against all I knew was
I wasn't first. Now that I am almost 20 I regret quitting like that after all
the years of hard work I put into it. And if on that day I wouldn't have been
so selfish and remember that my role model Michelle Kwan only ever got the
silver medal in the Olympics but continued to go for the gold as often as she
could and always had her head up maybe things wouldn't have turned out the way
they did with me quitting.
Skating formed me into the person I am today
no matter what though I am a hard working dedicated person and I wouldn't change
it for the world. I am so lucky I got to experience all those memories in my
life. Then again maybe I wouldn't have learned so much from it if it didn't end
the way it did.
No comments:
Post a Comment