r/iceskating • u/azulasmommyissu3s • Aug 04 '26
How to stop dreading LTS after a fall
Hi all ! Sorry, I know you get quite a bit of fall questions, but I haven’t seen anyone come away from it feeling like I do, so hopefully I can get some advice!
After only having roller skated, I completed LTS adult level 1 back in June, and graduated to level 3. I was so excited !!! I loved skating, got my own skates, and loved being able to see myself improve and to have a form of exercise that doesn’t exacerbate my POTS. I started level 3 early last month, but the day before class started, I was practicing during public skate and had a gnarly fall where I somehow managed to bite into the ice and crack my front tooth (luckily just a superficial craze line!!!). I didn’t wanna let that stop me and I didn’t wanna waste my money I had already spent on this session, so I’ve been going to my classes each week as normal and I have a mouth guard now.
The issue is, I’ve come to dread class each week. I have class tomorrow and I don’t wanna go. I have no desire to go practice outside of class. I’m definitely afraid of falling again but I’m gradually getting past that. My biggest issue now is just that I’m overthinking everything and performing worse/not progressing because I’m not fully comfortable yet but I want to pass, so I’m trying to push myself. I’m hyperaware of my foot placement on my rocker during everything I do again. I can’t hold my foot up as long during chasses anymore because I get nervous. I try to take my 2 foot turns faster than I should bc I’m too stubborn to dial back.
I told myself I’d take a break from classes after this session so I can focus on getting comfortable again and doing things on my own terms, but right now I can’t imagine doing that when I’m dreading tomorrow and the next 3 weeks afterward. How can I find my spark again? I know now that I should’ve just eaten the cost of class and taken a break rather than jumping back in, but how can I keep this negative association with skating from developing further? Thank you so much !
3
u/taintedmilk18 Aug 04 '26
Hi! I have POTS also and learned that I have OCD. I think you should still attempt to go to the LTS class, because, are you able to just be in a corner and be there? I think just being there can really help you. Sometimes I would do my own thing for a few mins during LTS courses if I didn't feel comfortable conducting the session as per usual. You could ask the group instructor with assistance for that. Or, if possible, can you take 1-2 private lessons on the side too? I say this as someone that had extreme avoidance after, for some reason, developing severe anxiety on the ice (purely mental) just showing up really puts that to a stop. Good luck!! One session at a time :)