No kidding! The worse fall (so far) was off a left forward spiral. I had held it almost the length of the ice and almost run out of speed when something caught my blade - straight down - SPLAT! - cracked a rib.

My really spectacular falls involve speed and usually don't hurt - like the day I was doing forward XOs and my coach was hollering "Faster! Faster!" I was WAY OVER and lost my edge when I was headed in her direction! The look of horror on her face was priceless as she thought she was about to become a grease spot on the boards! (I LIKE falling from XO's - my hip is so close to the ice that it isn't much of a fall, though I do become a dangerous projectile!)

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

Oh gawd... you took the words straight out of my mouth I went through a period of that in my later 20s, and took a slew of tests because i was afraid of the very same thing.

But after getting past the fundamentals, I believed in myself and my capabilities more - the past few years, i've totally changed perspective and i'm not as gung-ho about "have to get it now" ... and skating is a lot more fun that way. Its not like i'm learning any slower either.

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Keep Evolving. "From this moment forward, every voice that told you - You Can't - , has been silenced." - Freedom Writers

In reference to my statement that not everybody can do anything ...A couple of reasons.

1. To be blunt, because some people suck at skating. There. I said it. Some people just suck, and no amount of time or effort or smart training is going to change that.

2. Some people will have physical restrictions and no amount of time or effort or smart training is going to change that.

And by the way, some people assume from my comments that I am negative about my own skating and that I think I won't get an axel (or whatever the lofty goal of example is). For the record, I do not suck. I will have an axel. I am not "down" on my skating, or even adult skating in general. Most adult competitors who know me know that I've been a strong advocate for adult skating for over a decade and have "recruited" and encouraged many adults in this sport. Just wanted to get that out there.

You are such a positive person!

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Tim David's Website

Wow, this forum is so entertaining!!

This may seem negative, but I have to say I agree to a certain extent. Me, for example: I will become a mediocre to fairly good skater, but will never be a very good or a great skater. Bottom line is, I simply do not have the athletic ability, am too unfit (though I'm working on that), and I am not very agile.

Still, most of the time I have the right attitude of mind, I try hard to think positive. And that's half the battle. Like I said before, I reckon skating is maybe 5% natural talent but 95% hard work.

When it comes down to it, the majority of the world's population can't skate at all, so there's something to be said for very fact we're all out there giving it a go in the first place.

S xxx

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

lol! Beats Eastenders hands down, wouldn't you agree Samba?

S xxx

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Says the man who neg reps just about every post I make on another skating forum. Puhleeeze.

Oh I thought those were positives oops

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Tim David's Website

Chiming in here with a little anedote from my lesson yesterday.
Working on Bronze moves with my coach, she commented that she is concerned that I don't have enough power on the power three turns.
I told her that if the judges are expecting me ( a 41 year old woman) to do power threes with the power of a 11 year old, that is simply not going to happen.
Isn't this why we have Adult moves tests?

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

That's the BBC show with the music. Yes...the music hehe

Oh, come on, we 41-year olds (that's me, too!) can muster WAY more power than a puny 11-year old! We may look less natural on the ice because we started as adults, but we have an advantage over those little kids when it comes to power! When I practice my power crossover circles (from the Adult Gold and Standard Intermediate tests), I have so much more power than the 11-year olds practicing the same move, i.e, I build up more speed and my circles cover a lot more ice surface with the same number of strokes. They should, too, since I'm 5'5" and have bigger muscles and longer legs than those little Biellmann-spinning, full split spiralling midgets.
Getting power from your strokes and edges is really a matter of learning proper technique and practicing it, and I think those are the only reasons the kids ever skate with more "power" than we do. I didn't mean to get on a soapbox here, but our body size on MIF patterns is the only thing I DO think gives us an advantage as adults!

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Amen I totally agree... I hated those times, but its so worth it.

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Tim David's Website

Totally disagree! There's no reason why you can't have the power of an 11 year old on a power 3 20 years from now, forget the young age of 41. It's just working on speed and proper position.

It's fear and self imposed limitations that are preventing it.

Speaking of...they are thinking of changing the ISI testing standards for adults and completely lowering the bar. I don't like it one bit...

I agree on that as well... I wish I never and got on a lot of moves when I was a standard skater But everything happens for a reason

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Tim David's Website

Re: Power 3's... well, FWIW...

As I understand power 3's, one can draw power on the power 3's from the following area: 1) the step out to the BI edge, 2) the crossovers and 3) the push to the FO edge.

Now this is just MY experience but... I didn't pass my power 3's on my last test b/c I didn't do 3) well enough. I did improve on all three, but 1) and 2) was pretty much what saved me this time around. When I learned to adjust my torso on 3) so I'm facing where I'm pushing to, I felt more confident about bending my knees and use the entire blade to push into the FO edge.

I'm still practicing and trying to improve my power 3's now, but if even this wimpy 39 year old skater who's really out of shape can improve on power 3's to the point where the coaches agrees that it's my "most improved" move element on that test, I'm pretty sure anyone can. It'll take a LOT more time, I'l admit, but I'm living proof that it CAN happen!!!

*chortle* (I wish I read this when I wasn't drinking water...)

I'm living proof of this, since I'm managed to improve on my forward stroking around the rink from being a whole length behind someone a couple of years ago to beat said skater by a half length in a year and a half's time! Of course, NOW I'm pitted against a lady who just passed Gold MIF on FORWARD CROSSOVERS around the middle hockey circle! GULP!!!

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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!!!

Hey, nothing says you can't start working on those power crossover circles now! I think they improved my skating more than any one move I've ever learned. I will probably do them as a warmup every session for the rest of my life (also a great way to clear out the middle of the rink to do your spins, ha ha!).

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

I'm another one who just disagrees with you Terri C. If you say you can't, whatever excuse you want, you most likely can't and won't. If you want power in your power 3's for example you need to find what you need to do to make it happen and work towards it. I try very hard to think I can or I will when skating. I firmly believe if you think it and work towards it you will. Your setting yourself up to limit yourself without trying to see what you can really accomplish. I hear this attitude often at my rink from fellow adults and it drives me nuts. Skating is one step at a time, work towards your goals and have fun. Be positive and don't limit yourself.

Chico

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"I truly believe, when God created skating, he patted himself on the back."

LMAO!!! I did exactly that last Sunday at my Sunday public session!!! Admittedly, it scares the Bajevees outta me, mainly b/c I really have to force myself to bend my knees and I end up going even FASTER!!! But NONE of the rugrats or teenagers that were still skating tried to get thru the middle after that. Too bad I already did my spins and didn't want to do any more!

I've also never seen so many adults point at me and whisper "Did you see THAT!?!?!" ("WHAT!?!?! You never seen an adult doing power circles!?!?!" )

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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!!!

Gotta defend your turf, right?

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Nah, not gonna respond and lower myself to your level there.

Well good morning to you Sunshine

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Tim David's Website

You missed one I was also told to press into the BI edge after the FO-3, and draw power from that, too (being told to do and doing are two different things, though...).

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--renatele

What???? What's this????? Do tell!!!!

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

I was just skimming through and some of the posts made me chuckle!

This is a SPORT ladies and gents. To be competitive and successful at a SPORT you have to train and condition your body to be in shape. Some people may not have the athletic ability needed to be competitive. Some people just may not be cut out to be figure skaters(or competetive ones).

If you are serious about this SPORT, get serious about your training. Especially if you are older. Out of shape and older is not a good combo for skating. You need to have a high level of fitness if you are older to take the beating that competetive figure skating gives out!

Just a thought!

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Why are you skating so slowly? Get out of my way!

If you skate faster, it makes everything look better!