Can I become a great skater?

Question
I am 38. I loved skating when I was younger. I just started again about a year ago and go once a week. I have purchased a pretty decent pair of skates, however I'm not sure they are what I should have, the wheels are 99A velvet smoothies, and I have changed the bearings from ABEC 5 to 9. I am getting pretty good at doing my crossover on a turn, however I still can't seem to keep my balance the way I want it. I also can't go as fast as I want and weave in and out like I used to. I have taken out two small children who cut in front of me at the very last second.If I take lessons once a week for 1/2 hour, can I become the great skater I've always dreamed of or is it too late. Are there any exercises or sites that can help me strengthen my balance, core, and leg and hip muscles specifically for skating?
Thank you
Diane  

Answer
Hi Diane,
  Glad you came back to skating. It seems like we never really miss it until we've come back to it.  38 yrs old is not old.  You may not become world class champion skater but you can definitely get your skill level up to make you very happy with your skating.

  The wheels you have are fine and it was a great move to upgrade to a better bearing.

  As far as taking a 1/2 hour lesson?  Absolutely do it! At this point in your skating a 1/2 hour lesson is plenty.  Then you need to spend time on practicing what you learned in your lesson.  Practice is the key to becoming the skater you want to be.  Once your skill levels are up, you will mostly likely want to switch to an hour lesson a week.
  
  Depending on what you can afford.....private lessons, of course, give you a one on one experience.  Group lessons save you money but are also beneficial.  If you're talking about a group lesson, there will come a time when you will need and want to switch to private lesson.  Private lessons will take you to a higher level of skating that class lesson do not do.

  For balance, make sure you're standing up straight and keep your eye level high.  Do not look at the floor.  Put your feel together, bend then push.  Remember to change your lean when pushing to the other skate.  

  You asked if there are exercises to strengthen your muscles.  For now... skating on a regular basis will naturally build those muscles.  Once you reach a higher level of skating your coach will most likely give you specific exercises to help.

  Take lesson, practice and it will all come back.  But don't wait to long because it's very hard to change habits.  It's much easier to learn the right way first than to try to change old habits.

  Keep skating and give yourself a regular routing each week and stick with it.  Repetition and practice is the only way to keep improving.

  If you have any other questions, please feel free to write again.  Good Luck
Pat