When I hear the word jump, my brain quickly rewinds to my childhood. Back when I was a competitive figure skater and gymnast. Every day I was jumping and spinning. Cartwheeling and tumbling.
Childhood should be the most beautiful, and carefree time of our lives. Reflecting on that time, I realize that I put pressure on myself to land each jump flawlessly. Always wanting to achieve more, to do more. Successfully landing one jump was never good enough. For me. I was always chasing the next one.
I struggled with the axel. That is a vivid memory. If I think about it too long, my hip begins to ache. The axel starts with a forward take-off, from your left foot. You turn your body 1 1/2 revolutions, landing on your right foot. It is a tricky jump. Watch this short video clip by two time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan to see examples of the jump:
My body body would crash to the ice because the toe pick got caught “just so” as I was coming down for the landing. Instead of laying there, allowing myself to catch my breath for a moment. I’d peel myself off the ice and try the jump again. And again. Until I perfected it.
This memory leaves me with a funny feeling. On the one hand, I feel proud that I was so determined. Yet, I am also embarrassed that I was so competitive. That I am so determined and competitive.
What memories do you have that made you feel proud and embarrassed?
What what NaBloPoMo is all about? NaBloPoMo was created by the brilliants minds at BlogHer and is a month long blogging challenge to encourage you to write daily about a specific prompt. Today’s prompt was “What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you hear the word ‘jump’?” If you’re a blogger and want to participate, sign ups are open until June 5.
How fun! I have never ice skated in my life. I think it would be a great experience; however, I can barely stay off the ground on regular skates… so I’m sure I would be pretty banged up in the end.
Oh, Rita, you are missing out! Ice skating is fun – and a great workout – and a fun activity for the entire family. It’s different from roller blading and roller skating though. Would you believe that I can’t roller skate? It’s too different from ice skating and my brain just can’t translate it!
Isn’t it strange how our priorities change over time. I was thinking about this a while back that 5 years ago my first priority was grad school, but I never finished and I now have no desire. My family and my boy are my first priorities now…and that is perfectly fine with me!!
Yes! And don’t you feel that all of the energy and focus you were putting into grad school is now funneled into caring for your family?
When I was in the corporate world (pre-kiddo), I was always chasing the next big project or a promotion. I’m so much more relaxed now that I’m a full-time parent. Though sometimes I find myself comparing my parenting style to others…and I’m trying to get a handle on that.
Perseverance leads to success! Can you still do the axel? I’ve always enjoyed watching figure skating. It is just looks so pretty!
Great question, Sofia! I’m not sure. I did put my skates on during the winter for a Mommy & Me tots class. Sadly, most of my time was spent trying to convince The Boy that he should come on the ice, too!
Maybe with lots of practice, I could do it again. I wonder, though, if I would be too afraid to do it now.
You can always give it a try….or two, you never know!! Did your boy join you on the ice?
Eventually he did!
I was a gymnast too. I remember one specific time when I was in the 5th or 6th grade. I was SO proud of myself for learning a glide kip on the uneven bars. So when I was at a friend’s house along with some boys in our class, I decided to show off my new skill on her swing set (the swings had been removed by her dad so that we could practice our bar routines). I started on the ground and jumped to grab the bar. Somehow, I must have miscalculated because I COMPLETELY missed the bar and literally did a belly smacker straight on the ground. I got the wind knocked out of me. I bruised my elbows, my knees and worst of all my ego. But it was also humbling. I learned that being a show off doesn’t do much of anything but make yourself feel better.
Ouch! What a tough way to learn such a important lesson!
Wow that is so impressive. I cannot even ice skate at my age let alone do all that fancy footwork as a child! Do you regret doing it, or are you glad to have done it?
I regret giving it up. It was fun – when you put the competition aside. I stopped competing & skating when I went to college, then relocated to Florida and there wasn’t a rink convenient to me. I’m hoping to skate more frequently now that my son is learning. I’d like to coach him a bit so he’s ready for hockey!
My proudest moment was winning the gold ribbon in the Solo & Ensamble festival when I was in high school. I sang Ava Maria.
That’s a beautiful song – so powerful!
oh yeah. plenty!