What should one do with ice skates before a competition?

Cozzy 25, I could never do that sport because of my lack of balance.

Ice skated every winter while in grade school. Recall playing a game called Crack the Whip. The park with the frozen pond had a warming house. Fond memories from decades ago.

Never could skate worth a darn until the rental gave me hockey skates. Suddenly, I could skate..even backwards!

I got my skates sharpened. They put a protective tape on without me knowing. I slid onto the ice and fell immediately. So always check first!

I'm not good at sharpen them

Shaddy1997, Pond skating is slowly disappearing because of the rinks & that is an unfortunate thing indeed. Simple times are dying with us.