Dance! - The Road to Heavies: lesson 22. August 31, 2013
First class in almost 18 months...
Because of a lack of students, the classes in Haarlem ended halfway through 2012. An alternative location was out of reach for me and working on a Saturday made it impossible to follow classes in The Hague.
I lost that job, so the road ahead was clear to start taking classes on a Saturday in The Hague.
That's a direct hit...
For many others, this first class of the season also is the first class in months, so it's almost as tough for them as it is for me.
Physically, I take a severe beating: I now know what the teacher expects from me, so I don't beat around the bush and give it all. The first signs of sore muscles show after only 30 minutes.
Mentally, this is a far harder thing to deal with. I'm réally back to square one. I know the steps I need to perform and know what they should look like but I completely lack the strength and stamina to do so and I probably look like a fool.
People I have never seen before, but are dancing for 1,5 years already, seem to be miles ahead of me. I started 2 years ago and I'm still 'stuck' at 1,5 dances.
Showing the steps at full speed. Well.... not.
The teacher isn't very helpful when he shows some moves and tells us that we all know the moves. If he says that because the level of the other students is higher or because they took up summerschool, I don't know, but I don't benefit from it at all. What the teacher shows me at full speed is nice, but I really can't decipher what I have to do and makes class rather chaotic.
It is fun to see that there is an absolute beginner next to me, who deals with the same things I was dealing with in the beginning. Starting on time, getting over the tendency to start walking, balance. I do notice that she is able to arch her toes like mad. As I have little material to compare myself with, I ask her about that. She has been taking up ballet for a year already.
When I see the teacher do a move at full speed again, I'm glad we look at eachother with question marks on our faces. It's not up to me that I don't really know what we should be doing.
The teacher also wants to see all of us jump, to see how high you can get. I get told that I'm an excellent jumper. Well... great, I've heard that before, but what good is it? I can't really do anything!
Changing to heavy shoes, end of class for me
After some 40 minutes, the class ends for me. Time to change the shoes. I leave the group and start changing and packing.
I'm completely surprised when the teacher calls me.
"Waar zijn je harde schoenen? (Where are you heavy shoes?) (this was originally said in Dutch with a very heavy English-Irish accent)
"I don't have them yet because..."
"Kopen! Harde schoenen, kopen!" ("Buy 'em! Heavy shoes, buy 'em!"
"Really?"
"Yes... Excellent technique, powerfull kicks. Volgende week, kopen!" (Next week, buy them!)
This is really a positive thing after all the drawbacks....................................................................
I question one of the very experienced dancers on some advice when it comes to the type of shoes.
Reading a lot about Irish dance on the internet, I did read something that you had to buy them one size smaller than your normal sizing. With all the movement, the leather will eventually stretch to the right fit. As not everything on the internet is true, I'd like to get this acknowledged first.
Trying a class-mates heavy shoes
The above statement is correct. You are indeed required to buy them one size smaller. From one of the women, I get a pair of shoes to check the size. There is no one with size 42 (*EU size*), she has 41.
As most brands seem to differ slightly in sizing, it isn't really clear if I need 41 or slightly bigger.
I wriggle my feet in them. My god that's uncomfortable, even without the laces tied the right way! That there is a possibility these shows are a little bit too small, doesn't really help.
It feels really strange. Under my toes I can clearly feel the tip, there is no support at all in the middle and right under me, I can feel the distinct heel. Shortly, I rub the tip across the floor: strange feeling.
There is some pushing around the toes and the decision is made that size 41 is a little too tight.
After retreiving a website to order the shoes at (you can't buy them in a physical shop in the Netherlands) I pack my bag and board the tram.
Wrecked. Completely wrecked
It quickly becomes apparent on the way back home: things are taking a turn for the worse.
When I get to the front door, only a pile of human flesh is what is left of me. It reminds me of my very first class but than I only wanted to sit down. Now, my throat hurts, my head explodes, I have sore muscles everywhere and I just feel sick. I go to bed straight away, wake up 4 hours later and I still feel like shit.
To make a long story short: I couldn't walk normally for 4 days. My feet and legs were so painful that I had great trouble walking in my safety-shoes at work. For some relief, I started to adapt the way I walk and ended up getting sore muscles in my back... A couple of times I nearly cried because I really couldn't take no more.
I overdid things greatly and have to keep an eye on myself next time.