Where is the practise thread? The last one was supposed to end 15th June, and it's already 1st July. (Happy new financial year !)

Has everyone stopped practising, or are you practising so hard you haven't got time to post here?

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Katz

Saved by Synchro!
I was over it, now I'm into it again !

(D) all of the above. Also, many people post their progress on their Facebook pages now and often people want to post, but no one can think of a clever (this or that) title, lol.

Thanks for starting the new thread!

Practising So Hard -
Stayed for the wonderful Tuesday Evening Cheap Skate, just a little while, because I still can't get comfortable on my new skates. It's not the boots, it's the *^&^*)(#$)( blades.

Forward spins are centered and controlled; jumps are awful; back spins are grinding into the ice and traveling. Bah.

Not Practising -
I noticed our resident skate tech hanging out, so I went over and asked him to take a look at my skates. He immediately said "left blade's too far to the outside, right blade's set inside." That's what I thought and he got upset when I said I shimmed the blades to see if I felt a difference, which I did!

So, I'm screwed.

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Not Practicing:
I have begun to develop neuropathy in my feet and one of the things to help prevent it is to stay off the feet and avoid tight shoes. So, no practice for me until I'm done with treatment, which most likely means October or November to give the chemo time to clear out of my system. I'm too tired most of the time anyway. I am continuing to teach a small number of private lessons with time between to either take off my skates or to sit and loosen them. Wish me luck.

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Sorry to hear that-don't wear yourself out! Would b-vitamins help the neuropathy?

Not Practicing-went over my calendar and picked out a few dates to skate with my pair partner. Not too many days but at least I can make it (I remember the summers when I went up to the pond or U of DE to skate all the time-or to the beach for fun!). I'll be anxious to see if all my plyo work is kicking in! My knee is still tender, though so I'll have to wear knee pads (grrrr!).

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Thanks. I'm taking B6, magnesium, and vitamin E for it. They also were able to lower the dose of taxol I'm getting, which is the drug that causes it. This time around I'll have an extra week off, so that might help also.

Hope your knee improves soon!

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Boy, so few posts, it's weird. Is it the 'off season' or something?

Practising So Hard
Spending a lot of time on ice, doctors orders to help my neck/shoulder problems. Mainly working on stuff for our new Adult synchro team. Working out stuff for our program is challening & fun. Also helping less advanced members with their skating skills.

Am possibly going to start coaching our version of LTS, which is called Aussie Skate, and maybe have private students. I have to work out insurance first, and that's proving to be a challenge. Husband is okay with me coaching as long as it isn't a financial drain.

Not Practising
Although I'm spending a lot of time on ice, I can feel my skills degrading. Spins & jumps are gradually going downhill. Although I must stay, standing in with the coach on LTS was a revelation, and I feel renewed enthusiasm to try out what I pick up from her. Wish I could still afford to have lessons.

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Katz

Saved by Synchro!
I was over it, now I'm into it again !

Practicing so hard - comp coming up on Saturday so of course my last lesson was devoted to "pre-comp breakdown" LOL . . . yeesh. Neither of my programs (freeskate or showcase) was really flowing, and had a complete blackout on my freeskate program - was in the right area of the ice, and knew I was supposed to be doing some sort of footwork, but what exactly?? After giving it some thought, realized that I was supposed to be doing the ISI 3 step sequence . . . whoops! But then, ::slaps forehead in "DOH" moment" since this is a USFSA comp - heck, I can do anything I want there . . . why not substitute something I have already been practicing and can actually do well, hey, maybe something off of the Bronze moves?? Coach wholeheartedly agreed, decided to throw in a 5 step mohawk and a couple of crossovers to get me up to my spiral sequence, and the rest of the program, I actually know.

Showcase program, LOL, I did it 3 times and I think I skated a different program each time (maybe I should have ordered the DVD from the last comp so I can see what on earth I actually ended up doing last time?!). Thankfully coach is not one of those who says "never deviate." And, note to self, need to find tiara for prop in showcase program!! (not really something I have around my house, with a houseful of all males! and if I did, I might be REALLY worried!).

And, More "Practising so Hard" - got a chance to fool around on my own yesterday, and I think I have the footwork figured out for the freeskate program, I worked out a sequence full of nice deep crossovers and edges and "sweeping" transitions that I think really fits the music, have another lesson today and will see what coach thinks. May also have gotten the spiral entrance figured out, assuming I can get to the right spot in time so that it actually fits with the music . . .


Hardly practicing - well, I had lots of low points which I actually put up above, but I did keep practicing so I just lumped them all together!! Hoping to have a good lesson today so will not be QUITE so nervous about the comp. Everything usually does come together in the end but I'd rather not have to just cross my fingers and hope for the best!!

Awh- I hope it clears up- I nearly died not being able to skate for a week and three days recently, can't imagine not getting to seriously practice for months-! I wish you luck with the treatment.

Practicing so hard- Cross-foot scratch spin is coming along, I first started getting the cross Monday, nearly two weeks ago, then skated again for the first time since Monday and had my mom take a video- I am getting to where my free foot is crossed beneath the knee, and a few spins I can start sliding the foot down- am ecstatic! [sp?] Can't wait till next Thursday when I have a private lesson scheduled, and I can show my coach..!

Literally not practicing- spirals. My back goes ouchie when I try to do a spiral. Probably from sitting in the truck for 14 hours, driving back from our trip.

(Another Not Practicing, but this is from last week, on the Monday.)
I went into freestyle for the first time ever for my lesson on Monday (had previously had privates in public skate.) I was a complete basket case the whole time. 15 or so girls were in there, whizzing by at 30 mph and doing double axels. Of course I was reduced to a puddle of quivering jelly. First of all, I didn't want to be ran over, and second of all, I really did not want to get in their way. My coach insisted on my going back into freestyle next week. She gave me a time and said that there's a lot less skaters then. I am still not looking forward to it at all. But I can't do lessons in public skate because of all the hockey kids and recreational skaters that come in during the summer. So it's either get trampled by a seven year old hockey kid sliding underneath my feet or get smooshed by an Oriental girl doing a triple loop.

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Right Brain: In the distant future, I will land all of the doubles.
Left Brain: HAHAHAHAHA
Left Brain: You can't even do a backspin.
Right Brain: ...

figurekb on YouTube.

Not Practicing: HA! I should have gone skating yesterday (instead of studying all day ) as I got a 78 on my test (for all my effort). Class average is about 80. Sheesh!

I'm sending in my registration for The Gardens spin clinic (scheduled for August 11 & 12). Anyone else going? I'm looking forward to it, my spins have sucked ever since: 1) I lost all that weight 2) my injury & recovery. If Bobbe can't fix me, then it's hopeless!

Off-ice training proceeding well. Gained 3-4 lbs of muscle and I'm becoming more flexible.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Not Practicing: Skated on my PICs tonight at the roller rink. It was 91 degrees F outdoors, and when I walked into the un-airconditioned rink, I walked into a wall of still warmer air. The uninsulated building had been closed up all day.

Practising So Hard: I didn't push my luck too much because of the real possibility of heat stroke, but managed to do the silver moves FI double three pattern, the inside slide chasse pattern and other assorted moves.

Even spins went OK, considering they were done on PIC skates instead of ice. I averaged about 4 revs per scratch spin, where I'd probably triple that on ice. Unlike toe-assisted jumps were PICs seem to encourage bad form (more shallow reach back to prevent pick skidding), I'm beginning to believe that spins, like three turns done on PICs, translate well to the ice.

One of the regular roller skaters is a nurse, and she had ice packs and even brought a blood pressure machine to the rink. After my warm up, my BP was 150/110. She wrinkled her nose over that number. Must not be so good.

I'm tempted to make another road trip to find ice time tomorrow just to keep skills current. We'll see.

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Bill Schneider

I thought about the Gardens Ice Clinic because my spins are abysmally bad. I'm just worried about how much I'll get out of 180 mins of ice time. It seems really pricey for so little time.

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Happily defying the laws of physics when I skate...and not in a good way

If I could meet ole Axel Paulsen, I would kick him in the teeth

President and Founding member of the I hate Toe-Loops Club

Still a member, but trying to get out of the Pre-bronze peanut gallery.

Visit my skating journal

Well, I'm looking at the whole thing-off & on ice sessions. Bobbe has a "method" for teaching spins that seems to work (even my coach agrees with this). And, if I can get a private lesson with her, maybe she can give me additional help to overcome or compensate for my issues (due to my injury I have many ).

Let me know if you go!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Practicing Hard: Knee is recovering well. I've been able to "add back" nearly everything. Thankfully it isn't my landing knee so have been able to at least attempt jumps.

Had my blades sharpened and skated on them for the first time this morning. Spins were amazingly centered - wheeeeee! I did a couple of them while warming up before my coach got on the ice for my lesson and I just had to show her the tracings.

Waltz, sal, and toeloop all worked, just not very big due to taking off from the left leg. Loop - ahhhh. Love that jump on freshly sharpened blades. Flip is my money jump and was going well.

Not Practicing: Lutz is toast. Again. Darn it.

Haven't even bothered trying axels since the knee injury. I did do a few waltz-backspins this morning just to keep the idea of the weight transfer, but the knee doesn't quite feel ready to attempt the jump yet.

Yes, there is a video on iCoachSkating.com, I've watched it like a thousand times, and something about going around with the opposite arm leading just doesn't sit well with me. I doubt that is my problem though... I get stuck at the hook.

Wish I could just wake up one morning and have great spins, Lol...

But who doesn't?

Practicing: Waltz Awesome, high, clean, I actually jump out now. Getting some control over my habit of looking down for landings. Landings very nice. High, Stretched, turned out leg and solid/secure edge. Can hold them forever.

Re-Learned Toe-Loop. Went well. Took like 7 minutes. I'll start doing them from speed now. Took like 5 minutes to convince her to not make me do it from a RFI 3 Turn. Small victory there.

Spins are terrible, but I actually did a few without my "training wheel." I felt like I accomplished a lot last lesson actually. It was the most productive lesson I can *vividly* remember.

Started doing off-ice training this week. At first, I thought I was going to die. I discovered muscles I didn't know exist. My entire body was in shock after the first day, I was so sore. But it actually helps... A LOT. I discovered ways to control my body that I had never thought of before, and I can already feel my ankle strength improving because of it.

Not Practicing: CW Forward Crossovers getting a little better, but meh! CW Backward Crossovers are still AWOL. I think they're beyond AWOL. Deserter status, much?

Forward outside edges, OMG. I can't seem to control my shoulders... Is there any trick/way to get over that hump? My inside edges are very nice. Those outsides are starting to scare me. I just started working on the back outside edges (I'm talking about the consecutive edge pattern, BTW), and in one day they're about as good as my forwards that I've been working on for literally weeks... What's the deal?

Question for every and anyone: I'm thinking about asking my coach to work on a program with me, to give me a reason to religiously practice these weak elements and improve my timing, endurance, etc. Is that a good idea, or should I just keep my mouth shut and wait for her to recommend it?

Hmmmm how to toe-loop in seven minutes! Glad you are getting it done (the toe-loop is my love-it/hate-it jump LOL)!
As for spinning, I've tried EVERYTHING imaginable to fix them, unfortunately, I'm sure it's mostly mechanical (since my injury things aren't 100%). I have tried the opposite arm thing and it's interesting. But my spins fall apart when I step into my circle....all downhill from there!

As for fixing your arms, I can recommend Champion cords or holding a glove in each hand (or on top)...either will focus your concentration on what you are doing with them. Also, try to keep pressing down, this pressure sometimes keeps the upper body more stable.

I think you SHOULD ask for a program! It's a wonderful idea and will give you focus and goals (short & long term). Are you going to do a competition or exhibition? That could be something to think about. Working on a program spices things up and with a deadline you can't slack off!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

They keep asking me to do exhibitions but I've refused about 3-4 offers in the past year or so, until I worked on my basics more and got a couple of jumps down. I want to learn/fix the spins, too.

Coach wants me to test in November, for moves. Not sure what I'll do after that. I just think working on a program will insert more fun and decrease the "job factor" of training - if that makes any sense...

Plus there is some music I want to skate too, and I think a program will force me to skate in both directions, thus allowing me to train better my weak direction, among other things.

That makes perfect sense! I think you should do it, it will also be fun to work on something besides the "moves" and all that. Any excuse to put your music on LOL!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Yea, I'm gonna bring it up next week

Not Practicing
Literally. No practices so no posts. My "future" with skating is kind of up in the air right now. My goal HAD been to compete at regionals, but that's just not going to happen. I also wanted to past at least novice moves before the tests change, but I doubt that will happen either. It's really discouraging to think about all of the time and money I put into working on Novice moves when I'm 99% sure I won't test the old version. I don't have the time and energy to get to the rink being at my program 6 days a week.

Frankly, I'm not sure skating is even healthy for me at this point. Going to my rink gives me panic attacks, and at this point, I'd rather not skate than have more panic attacks. It also got so wrapped up with my ED that I think the only way to know if I truly love it or if I burnt out a while ago and just kept doing it for the exercise is to take a break.

I am going to take it on a day by day basis, though. I have 9 freestyle sessions already pre paid for at another rink, so if I do get the urge to skate I can do it without feeling guilty for wasting money.

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Youtube Videos

Practising So Hard: FINALLY got to go to the rink yesterday! worked on the elusive CW BXOs. got a little better but they still feel so awkward! I know I look like spaghetti when turning front to back and vice versa. did spirals across the rink. tried some shoot-the-ducks. this tiny 5 yr old girl helped me! adorable! i was afraid id squish her she was so tiny though. she was trying to hold my shoulders and push me. she tried to hold my waist instead but i got up cuz 1. idk her and 2. i dont think her parents would've like that >< anywho, i had fun! i love this rink because the guard on the ice made the hockey kids stop sliding across the middle and kept the kids from hanging out there since I was using the area to work on stuff and stay out of main traffic, unlike the other rink where they dont give a flying camel about them or you.

Not Practising: shoot the ducks are fun but HARD! Some elitist guy in the middle kept giving me glares when i was practising BXO, like i shouldnt be there. ugh. this is a rink id never been to before. thankfully he left and i had the middle mostly to myself. OH THE PAIN, after I got home! my calves hurt so bad! i couldnt even concentrate on my homework. the pain in my legs gave me headache that lasted until about 6 or 8 this morning(woke up @ 5 and still hurt so back 2 sleep). now the pain is in my thighs and is WAY WAY more tolerable!

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dread the click of death. avoid it at all costs. BEND YOUR KNEEEEEEES

Main coach is on vacation this week so I have drafted Main Coach's Venerable Coach for my lesson today. I especially want to show off my backspin which has remained consistently decent since Stephane finxed it at Mountain Cup Camp. (Now, watch it disappear just because I said that!)

[QUOTE=Skate@Delaware;418693]Hmmmm how to toe-loop in seven minutes! Glad you are getting it done (the toe-loop is my love-it/hate-it jump LOL)!
As for spinning, I've tried EVERYTHING imaginable to fix them, unfortunately, I'm sure it's mostly mechanical (since my injury things aren't 100%). I have tried the opposite arm thing and it's interesting. But my spins fall apart when I step into my circle....all downhill from there!

Get a spinner; you'll see the difference right away. I had the same problem. No matter how hard I practiced, I simply couldn't spin. Once I got a spinner, my spins got better practically overnight. Now my coach says, my spins are way ahead of my other skating skills. And I'm definitely not a natural spinner.

Not Practicing -- well, more practicing so hard, but not getting ANYWHERE with fixing the step to the FO edge. I am getting a nice FO curve into a spin, BUT I am stepping (according to my tertiary coach) BO edge and then turn my foot (on the ice) to the FO edge. It's really REALLY for me here since I really don't feel my foot flipping edges on the ice.

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

I wish it were that simple. I have a spinner, which works GREAT for my backspins. Years ago I had wonderful scratch spins, but, unfortunately, my injury has caused muscle weakness & compensations that just don't jive with the control I need with the scratch spins. When I recovered from my injury it took me over a year to stop falling over on the ice (and walking).

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

I am struggling with this as well. At least your coaches caught the edge change problem, I am apparently pretty good at fooling my coach into thinking I am on the correct edge (just because a NORMAL person would be on the correct edge based upon arm and leg positioning). I know that something's off with the check (I'm letting my hip or shoulder drop, or maybe both!) but I haven't quite figured out how to fix it, ugh.