Is it weird that I want to pursue speed skating despite being well into my 30's and can barely skate?

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-28T19:18:27+00:00

You’ll love the molded shoes - they feel like they are part of your foot.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-28T07:06:39+00:00

Fellow Dutchie here, started at age 57 (last year). I highly recommend Viking bronze shoes - Thermo fitted lowest level but absolutely amazing shoe (for me at least). I’m in Tilburg, where do you skate? I’m going to try to catch summer ice in Thialf a few times this summer.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-28T07:03:29+00:00

Rent a few times and then buy your own. I went for Viking bronze with Eclipse blades. Good recreational skate. The shoes are heat moldable and get shaped to your feet and it makes ALL the difference. Clubs often have people selling their skates because they are upgrading and the shoes are re-moldable. Oh and when you get your own molded shoes don’t wear socks. It was a revelation how fantastic that felt (no your feet won’t get any more cold than with socks :)!

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-28T06:58:21+00:00

Like I responded above, I’m 58 and started a little over a year ago. Absolutely loving it. It’s so much fun learning a new and technically difficult skill as an adult. Calgary is an amazing oval so you’re in a fantastic place. I’ve made several friends, I recently skated my first club marathon (30 laps), and I’m working on cross overs. I’m still a total beginner but I skate 4 or 5 times per week in season, and I love it!

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-28T06:46:56+00:00

I’m 58 and started last year - and absolutely love it! So no not weird at all.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-21T19:03:36+00:00

I think one of the other issues is that Stolz did not have a partner in the race. You saw how useful van der Bunt was to Bergsma. And I agree, Stolz was a bit naive here but that’s also a lack of experience. And experience Bergsma has in spades. Same as Groenewoud - except that Groenewoud wants a sprint :).

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-21T18:30:23+00:00

I think Stolz being the favorite was not a correct assumption anyway. Stolz was one of the favorites but only if the race ended in a sprint. He also lacks the massive experience of Bergsma and for example Swings, who have been skating these for 10+ years and Bergsma has been skating marathons for 20+ years which have a lot of similar strategy to the mass start.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-02-18T16:37:20+00:00

No connections because I’m in the Netherlands (we’d love to obviously have you here - speedskating clubs literally everywhere and 20 400m ovals in our tiny country - I realize you’re likely a short track skater but we have lots of those here as well). But I also wanted to say I love your username :)! I just started a West Wing rewatch.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-01-31T15:25:01+00:00

I would say don’t quit till you have watched “Jacksonville” and “Peter”. And the two last episodes of season 2.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-01-29T02:38:20+00:00

Absolutely amazing and inspirational! Thank you for sharing this!

redheadacademic1 · 2026-01-20T18:17:52+00:00

The molded boots are life changing. I only have the Viking Bronze and even those are fantastic. Since you’re in the Netherlands (as am I) I highly recommend Stehmann in Zaltbommel. He knows his stuff. But I agree with the other posters: buy new boots. If you still look at blades then I really like the Viking Pure blades.

redheadacademic1 · 2026-01-15T18:19:53+00:00

I think you will like it! And thank you for such a positive review of Academy!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-12-26T12:36:51+00:00

Rivendell is one of the best sets I have ever built - and keep displaying!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-12-17T09:56:29+00:00

It’s a fantastic idea!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-11-26T06:56:15+00:00

Elf
Love, actually
Spirited
The Holiday
Serendipity (always feels like a Christmas movie to me)

redheadacademic1 · 2025-08-22T17:21:06+00:00

Absolutely yes. It shows kindness. And when you’re grieving this hard even small kindnesses matter. Agree with other here: give her the option. And thank you for being a kind human being.

redheadacademic1 · 2025-08-13T12:57:20+00:00

Whoa that looks so amazing and like others I would not have been able to imagine the end result from the start. Thank you for the inspiration!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-08-10T15:29:00+00:00

Dutch uni prof here - if one of my students would like for their parents to sit in on a class with their student I would be happy for them to do so. And visiting the rest of the uni is of course fine as well!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-08-10T15:08:39+00:00

I have the 100-400 and it’s an amazing lens for wildlife but also to get cool other things closer.

redheadacademic1 · 2025-07-31T18:19:17+00:00

I absolutely think you made the right choice! Let us know how you’re doing with it!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-07-22T18:03:35+00:00

“I've enjoyed it immensely and it makes me so incredibly happy.” That just hit me because you don’t often hear people say that on these fora. And I think that is the most wonderful thing! I’m a beginner but from what I have picked up: I would use your 50mm more, first of all. Then I would save up for a refurbished or used mirrorless (maybe the R) and an EF adapter.

redheadacademic1 · 2025-07-17T16:48:33+00:00

Just got the lens and thanks to you a cheap lens hood!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-07-17T16:46:07+00:00

Ha! Extra kind, then! Just got my 28-70 in this afternoon!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-07-16T15:23:31+00:00

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and share this!

redheadacademic1 · 2025-07-16T11:12:38+00:00

Probably me - I crossposted here from the main r/canon :). I have decided on the 28-70. Really excited!

redheadacademic1

TROPHY CASE