National Get Up Day

Falling is a huge part of figure skating, and all skaters, from Olympic champions to beginners can vouch for this. To honor this, U.S. Figure Skating founded National Get Up Day on February 1st back in 2016. For 8 years, figure skaters have taken this as an inspirational way to get up after they fall. 

I’ve been skating for a few years, and as a part of Sur La Glace, I compete regularly during the school year in a series of competitions known as the New England High School Series, with a team representing the different states in New England. There are multiple rounds of this competition, each one hosted in a different state. In January, it was hosted in Rhode Island, at the Schneider Area at Providence College.

During one of my programs at this competition, I caught my edge, and took the worst fall I have ever experienced in my entire time as a figure skater. Needless to say, I did not want to get up. I was tired, and it hurt really badly, but I got up. I felt the need to keep going even though it hurt, even though I could feel the bruises on my knee, hand, and elbow forming. I pushed myself to finish my program, not for a chance to medal, but for myself.

I could see my friends, Evie, Kadence, and Zoe, cheering me on, and pushing me to keep going. Although I didn’t place where I wanted to, I went and competed another program where I placed third in my group. 

Even when things get hard, you shouldn’t give up. There are always brighter days ahead.