I took Thing 1 shopping for new ice skates over the weekend. As a long-retired figure skater circa the dark ages, I was looking forward to the excursion. Wow it brought back memories. The shop, not much more than a hole in the wall, was jammed with girls: teens, tweens, tots, moms. You name it, most every age group was represented.
Some waited while the skate sharpener whirred in the backroom, others pulled skate boots on and off on and off. Still others comandeered the fitting room in search of that perfect pair of tights. Sequins, spangles, day-glo velvet and LED-enhanced skate guards glittered from every nook and cranny.
The argument could be made I guess that this whole ice princess industry is ego driven; superficial and fails to promote healthy priorities for an impressionable girl. I see it differently.
For me the glitz and glam was both a reward and a way of masking all the hard work, the countless pre-dawn hours spent in a cold rink, practicing until my body was blue with bruises. The objective was to bring my program to a level where it appeared effortless. Skating made me feel capable. Competent. In control of my destiny. And at that age (12) my parents were going thru a raging divorce. The ice was truly my escape.
This got me to thinking: running now fills this need for me. It’s my escape. And while I haven’t indulged in glitter eyeshadow or nail polish for years, I was thrilled to hear some of the Boston Marathon apparel is now available. So I for one, am happy to see that the ice princesses are alive and well. And maybe I will wear my hot pink running skirt to March Madness (over tights of course, no frozen cookies needed here). May we all channel our inner diva.
Make the most of every day
