This is a continuation of the pairs topics that were in the Easterns thread.

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When we finally try the on-ice platter, Loops will be in a harness, so that will remove most of the danger. We actually tried to do a press lift (I think it was press?) many moons ago on the ice with Loops in the harness. It was a very strange feeling, and we haven't returned to it. IIRC, I had a hard time getting down in my knees. Maybe since this has become so much easier off ice, we can attempt it again on ice?

Me, intense? Nah, I'm a gentle soul. I've not lived in New York since 1996, so all my Yankee vim and vigor has attenuated to some degree.

We skate for 1.5 hours on freestyle ice on Sunday, a 2-hour uncrowded public session on Wed. night (we do pairs the second half of the session), and 45 minutes on a Fri. morning freestyle (with a 20-min. lesson included). We skate mostly in Fairfax Ice Arena; she lives maybe 5-10 minutes from there, and I live 15-20 minutes away. There are plenty of rinks in this area so we usually have a back-up rink when eville hockey subverts the figure skating schedule. We're in different clubs (she = SC of Northern Virginia; I = Washington FSC).

Yuck. We were supposed to get hammered here, but didn't. It snowed a bit all day, but most didn't stick. Then it mostly melted (I live just south of the Beltway), then it snowed hard for a bit, then i went skating (with only a few other skaters on the ice), and it had rained a bit. The roads were fine. So much for that 6-10 inches.

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Yes, that was my bad (isn't everything that goes wrong my fault?). But it's hard to bend down in skates when you're used to doing it easy breezy in sneakers. And she is not supposed to be jumping over anything in a press lift!

Ooh, maybe you could show us your technique on the star lift? I like this lift but don't quite have the gist of it.

I think we'll wait till after nationals before even thinking about attempting this (or really any non-program-related items)! We've modified our wrist grip for the press, so I think we'll do better on this. Overhead lifts are not really my thing. I like the spins--side by side and together (except the pair sit--my body somehow refuses to learn this. )--as well as anything that showcases flexibility or extension. I like trying to get my 6'-tall body to demonstrate good line. When Loops and I do this together, I think it looks grand.

Instead of awarding medals in the pair events, the organizers should think about chiropractic and/or massage sessions!

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Hi,
I liked the overheads. Also, I did jump up into them to help out my partner.
We actually did not try them first in the harness, but it may be a good idea. We did use the harness for the split double twist and throw double axels.
With pairs we both felt that most of the time the harness just gets in the way, and I got twisted in the ropes!

Okay, this just sounds like whining now.

Actually, for the woman, it is jumping "over" the man. If we just jumped straight up, we'd never get over your heads. We start far apart, but end up directly over each other -- somebody's got to aim for "over!" That'd be the woman.

Indeed it does!

David and I tried the press lift and the star lift in the harness -- yuck! We first tried them from a standstill. Because the harness is primarily a straight-up-and-down motion when you're not travelling, it was impossible for me to jump "over" him. (See post above.) Same problem with the star. I just kept knocking the back of my head against the rope! Perhaps it was just us; perhaps we truly are as spastic as all that, but the harness was no help to us. We managed to get the press overhead a couple of times without it, though.

I should say that our coach uses a pole instead of the harness, so that may alleviate some of the rope-twisting problems. (That sounds like a messed up marionette interp program!) At any rate, I don't see me learning any overhead lifts anytime soon; I don't feel secure or strong enough--yet. ...

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Can I play too, even though we're taking a break from pairs for now? (Repeat after me: it's just a seaparation, not a divorce!)

"ok next poll , what kind of practice schedule do you keep., are you and your partners in the same club? how far so you have to travel?"

David & I are in the same club and skate at the same rink. We're at the Gold level in pairs, due to him foolishly passing the Juvenile freeskate 100 years ago.

Up until 3 weeks ago <sniff>, we skated 2 mornings a week at a 1-hour long session. Part of that time was warming up & running through my singles programs, so we didn't have a full hour. We took only 1 lesson a month because he was paying off massive credit card debt, and we'd agreed when we started that it would be an equal partnership in all respects. We'd do whatever the Least Common Denominator could/would do in any situation. We worked lifts off-ice 3 days a week for about 15 minutes each day, prior to taking the ice.

And let me just say how proud I am of him paying off ALL his credit card debt!! It was huge, and he really buckled down and hit it hard. I'm so impressed that he did it!

It's jumping toward me, not over me. We tried the "over" once, and it didn't work.

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

We're going to have to use the harness, not the pole, for lifts. Honestly, can you see Nick holding me up that high via the pole? Throws, on the other hand...

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Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

By the way, since there are pair folks here, if anyone knows of a male pair skater who wants to do do the Germany competition, let me know. I'd like to go for more than one event.

What a shock!

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Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

Have you checked with Bill P?

__________________
Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

Yes, last I checked he wasn't going.
Thanks!

Well just for the landing ... the inevitable crash landing that will almost certainly happen.

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Ooh, sounds like fun--wish I could go! (It would also be a treat to skate with a non-abusive pair partner, too.).

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Thanks Nova, We'll have to put a few years on you! I don't think there are any levels so there should be a good mix!
I promise to be on my best behavior

Well, tempus fugit. But I like being in the deserted class I for singles at nationals; I dread entering the class II field. There are too many good skaters in that division! But maybe they'll all be in class III by the time I'm in class II for 2012 nationals?

"Best behavior" and adult pairs skating do NOT go hand-in-hand.

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

ok we are so not cool, i never got to fly like superman i the harness.but i can see how the rope thing coulod be scary. honestly we are really lucky our coach is so strong, his nickname os the big dog,,,so i guess that tells all. be happy to trade techniques after the comp in kansas. novaskater..you are way bigger than my partner. over the heads should be no problem, providing your back is ok. if you want i can shoot you the number of the company that i got my stim machine at. i love your massage coupon ideas.

ok ladies , can anyone sympathize with the ribs that feel like you were mugged that you get when you don't do death spirals for a while, then start again. we took a week off of pairs after sectionals due to a hip injury on my part. now i'm still sore from saturdays death spirals!!ouch.



we are not going to germany becsause i am a cradle robber and my partner was not old enough by the deadline!!so see you all in kansas ans france

brewser ice arena is having an adult only comp. sept 24, and pairs are encoraged!!!! check scofbrewster on the web for more details. would love a great pairs turnout.

andrea cooper has tried t o email craig mazzuri about a pairs group at camp at icehouse in june...anyone interested in seeing if we have enough for this?

Ah, that's good to hear; there's hope for me yet. It's probably just a glimmer of hope, yet it exists. Actually, I don't think I'm all that big--not for a pair skater. I'm "only" 6 feet tall and weigh 178 lb. But maybe that's enough. The hard part is that Loops is tall herself, and she has long arms. That makes the press a little more challenging. But perhaps our long arms make it more interesting as well.

My back is always the wild card.

Ooh, that's exciting indeed. The Brewster rink is only 20 minutes away from my folks' house. I'll have to pencil in this competition; it'll be 3 weeks after the Peach Classic. You and Jason should join us in Atlanta!

Another exciting proposition. I hope this pans out. There's also that adult pairs camp in July in Chicago, so some may elect to go to that instead ...

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Hey Tara, do you want to take a stab at contact Craig about adding a pairs track to the Hackensack camp?

As for sizes, NoVa's not all that big (or small), but I'm 5'7" with long arms and legs, so our leverage is challenging to say the least. But I think it makes our death spiral look good!

NoVa, if we go compete at Brewster can I stay with your parents too? (Remember, they love me!)

__________________
Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

Yup; we can stay with my folks. Guess I should go and make amends with them?

My mom is always asking when I'm next competing so she can come and watch. I keep telling her that I no longer compete (HA!). She will be tickled pink if I tell her that I'm competing in Brewster. Ah, the return to lovely Putnam County, NY.

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Perhaps a visit home for Easter weekend might be in order.

__________________
Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

So I can be reminded what a bad little Catholic I am? NO THANKS!

Nah, I still think I'm my mom's favorite. (Take that, 5 siblings!)

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

There are some people here who can help you through that!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

I'm sure of that. But skating pairs is my penance.

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.