Frightful: The ice! I thought it would be unskateable, but it's odd how you get used to it, and we were working too hard to notice by our lesson!

Robert refused to work on what he should have been working on in his private lesson, and insisted on having a lesson on the Blues. Well, okay, we want to get it into our heads (my edges aren't good enough to dance it yet, but I enjoy playing with it, whatever), but he is supposed to be working on his basics and his Level 3 dances..... So I am not very pleased with him.

Our Swing Dance was "Pretty dreadful!" said our coach - "He's complimentary!" said his wife, who overheard! We gradually got better during the lesson, but we are so very hit and miss as a couple - on our day, we are really beginning to be competitive at our level now, but all too often we seem to be competing, rather than co-operating - and I have no idea what makes the difference!

Fabulous: In conversation, I realised that I get backache on Sunday mornings (and not the rest of the week) because I do so little on Saturdays! Maybe if I got off my a**e on Saturdays I wouldn't ache so on Sundays..... but it's the only day I really get to relax.

My back cross-rolls were still there and I was able to show them to my coach: "Yes, they are getting better!" he said, which is high praise from him! I just wish I wasn't such a wimp as I know they are easier if you go faster, but I get so scared..... I will, will, [size=large]will[/size] improve my back edges this winter!

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Frightful - Didn't skate Saturday because my knee was sore. Skated Sunday and the ice was gross after the ice cut, not sure what the deal was but it was really crunchy and cut up. My LFO edges are still pretty bad, I know it's because I have burisitis in my left hip and have problems with that leg but it FRUSTRATING. I did power pulls and my right ones are actually really nice but my left are tiny, tiny and yuck, which explains why spinning off the LFO edge is so hard. I might play with using the right side tonight see if I have any luck.

Fabulous - I did rotate the flip all the way around again!! Still landing on two feet and I have a feeling I am "lurching" a tad but just to actually rotate it is FAB!! Tried the Salchow, definitely nowhere near getting the timing right, practiced checking the 3 turn and bringing my leg through not around, I tend to want to swing it around. My waltz is BIG I am surprised!!! Both my spirals were really good too but didn't spend much time on them.

Frightful: I'm in a slump. Elements I passed tests on three weeks ago have taken a trip to the "dead zone". I know it's from lack of practice and ice time. I'll be so glad when September gets here and evening public sessions are more readily available. So, I know the cause and the cure, but it stills bugs me.

The worst part is that I love to get out and skate for fun. Lately, all it has been is lessons.

Nothing Fabulous: I did succesfully do a RFI3. Unfortunately, I was supposed to be doing a RFO3.

My Monday night coach is on vacation, so I'll get a glorious 1-1/2 hours of fun skating tonight.

Not that I don't enjoy or learn in my lessons, but I need a balance of both.

Frightful
I actually forgot the pre-juv 5-step Mohawk sequence! I had to fool around with it several minutes to remember how it goes. This is what comes from not practicing the moves I'm scared of. Of course, I know the only way to get over it is to practice, but that LFI Mohawk still has me spooked even though my coach fixed it last month. Guess I better give it some time of it's own.

Fabulous
I'm actually skating pretty well overall, in spite of having skated only three times in the last two months due to my camping trip. I am still doing something flakey with my hip immediately after my consecutive FO threes, and it is keeping me from getting back to the line for the next one without putting my free foot down, but my control on the turns has improved significantly. I actually practiced the back cross strokes a few times on my own, but I'm now scared to try BO threes without a spot. Don't know if it's the broken ankle (TaraNJ) and wrist (TashaKat) that are getting to me, or just the way it goes right now.

Has anyone heard from TaraNJ lately?

__________________

Frightful
Breaking in new boots isn't easy even when they fit. My bad habits return when I am not used to the boots. I kicked around so many of my axels today. At least I did one with a proper takeoff

My forward crossovers still aren't good! My backward ones are forever miles better...

I got a bruise on my knee from kicking my own door OWW...


Fabulous
The double salchow is back on track again (on the way to landing but not yet) ... I think that I forgot to check the salchow well enough periodically I should stick a reminder on my bedroom wall to " Check the Salchow!!!! "

OK. Still no blisters yet. I hope to never get blister from new boots again...

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~
Tidesong

Frightful--as indicated by Mrs. Redboots above as well--the ice. It was choppy and messy. Luckily they resurfaced the ice, but that was after I did the majority of my skating.

Fabulous--everything! I have been off of the ice for at least a month due to a lot going on and also laziness. I had a great time, and practiced where I left off after my last class a month ago. We were working on advanced forward crossovers, mohawks, backwards stroking, backward inside/outside edges. I did decently well on all of them considering the time off. I was relieved I did not lose a lot of progress.

I plan on resuming lessons in September, and will hopefully progress more quickly then.

Frightful:

Tried back edges - I'll need them for Free 2 - and boy, do they need work! I think I held the BI's for about 2 feet before getting twisted around. One of my probs is getting a push-off to start them - the BO's were a little easier.

Still hesitant on the BO turns. I agee with you, dbny - every time I try one, I keep thinking of TaraNJ.

My FI spirals appear to have gone on vacation. Maybe I should go with them?

Back spiral scares me, even on flats. I nearly fell on my toe pick.


Fabulous

Since I've got 6 weeks before lessons start again, I decided to try both the things in the next level (toe loop, waltz/side toe hop combo, back edges, spirals) as well as some of the more advanced stuff we tried once or twice in the past session - except for the salchow - just wasn't up to it. I was able to keep my body straighter going into the toe loop and get more lift and my outside spirals were good.

For the more advanced stuff, I got a rotation on the camel spin - didn't try the sit spin, though - and I practiced the layback spin a little. I'm sure Dick Button would not approve of my spinning position, but I am bringing my free leg down less sharply, so that I can actually finish the spin properly and not fall over. I also got a rotation on my backspin. Yay!

I landed a half lutz, although I didn't get much height.

Alternating FO turns are easier with my arms in the "opposite direction" (away from circle)

I am happy to report that while I was watching my tape of the (USFSA) Skating Tribute last year, I was able to identify which 3 turns Sarah Hughes does at the beginning of her "You'll Never Walk Alone" program. Hey, I sure couldn't do that a year ago!

Fabulous
My FO3s are getting better, on both sides too. We also tried a little dance sequence which was a lot of fun. However, the most fabulous part of my weekend lessons is that my two foot spin is up to 7 revolutions, which makes me very proud.8) I just need to get more used to the spinning, beacuse sometimes when I pull my arms in and pick up speed I freak out a bit.



Frightful
I tried RFI3s and it was not a pretty sight. Up until now, this is my most dreaded move because every time I try it I end up flat on my back in the ice. I have no idea why I flip during the turn and fall on my back.

"I tried RFI3s and it was not a pretty sight. Up until now, this is my most dreaded move because every time I try it I end up flat on my back in the ice. I have no idea why I flip during the turn and fall on my back" SusannaO

I don't fall (I lurch and put my free leg down and go "woo") but I have a very similar problem with my LFI, it takes me atleast 3 botched near falls before I can get a decent one. I've noticed that ususally I am not bending my leg enough to the get the "down - up - down" motion of the 3 turn. My RFI's are pretty consistent but my right leg is my "good" leg.

Fabulous:

Not sure much was fabulous at practice this morning. I had to have blood drawn for some blood tests, so I couldn't eat any breakfast, and for me, skating on a 15 hour empty stomach was not fun.

Actually:

* Alternating back crossovers to back outside edge: Pretty strong and deep lobes, for the most part

* Forward Power 3's: Better on the right side, the choctaw is starting to work more consistently.

* Foxtrot: At a slower tempo, things worked okay. I figured out why I'm dropping my right shoulder... it's more like I'm raising my left shoulder when I start the cross-roll LFO3. Which then throws my balance off during and after the turn. Which gave me a NASTY fall on my right upper shin (STILL painful)

Frightful:

* 14Step: Decided to almost totally abandon me this morning. Messy back progressives, lousy mohawk, lousy timing. I'm going to be kind to myself and chock it up to lack of energy. At one point I nearly fell on my backside doing the forward progressive in the end pattern.

Hopefully tomorrow is better ...

More proof that BI edges are against the laws of physics.

What is Free 2? At any rate, if you are considering taking Pre-Bronze moves, you may be thrilled to know you are permitted to start the back edges from moving - making them (IMO) tremendously easier. The standards also say to expect the 1st lobe to be smaller (so it's ok for adults). The start is definitely the toughest part.

Kim

I'm sorry, but I laughed out loud when I read this because I do very much the same thing, and it always makes my coach laugh, too! He says, "You're making that sound again!" So I can empathize...

Fabulous: Had a great lesson on Friday and on Sunday with my primary coach. My program is just about done, although he keeps fiddling with the beginning and ending. He's also made me work really hard on all my crossovers this past week. Between crossovers, and repeated laps with spirals on Friday, I was completely exhausted by the evening. We also have been doing some stretching off-ice and also running through the program off-ice. All fun, but exhausting!

More Fabulous: Ran through the alternating back crossovers to back outside edges preliminary moves sequence with coach #2 today and they weren't that bad. We also did the 5-step Mohawk again and it was definitely less scary than the first time.

Frightful: Well, not really but pitiful and hysterically funny: By the time I got home Friday evening, after working all day, having a 50 minute lesson on-ice and 20 minutes off-ice, going out to eat with a friend, etc., I was exhausted and a bit sore, so I decided to take some ibuprofen. I opened the bottle, realized I needed to open the water bottle, so I put down the ibuprofen bottle. I picked up the water bottle, opened it, and proceeded to pour the water into my palm! At that point I decided I'd better just go to bed and get some sleep... LOL!

Happy skating,
Pat

My Monday coach was on a much deserved vacation, so my ice time was my own.

Fabulous:
Just about everything. Warmed up my edges, picked a corner circle, and didn't leave it for an hour.

Seven step mohawk sequence actually looked graceful, at least to the left. The right was a little shaky, but much improved.

3-turns felt comfortable as long as I didn't go too fast.

Front and back edges were smooth.

Frightful:
Tried a 3-turn with a little speed, caught a toe pick, jerked my upper body, and "pow" there goes my left shoulder again. Couldn't raise my arm and couldn't continue skating.

Time to go back to the doctor.

All in all, I'm feeling MUCH better about my skating!!!

Free 2 is my abbreviation for Freestyle level 2 in the USFSA skills sequence (lessons).

That's good to know about the pre-Bronze req., although I'm not sure if I want to compete, but you never know.... I'm not sure my spins will ever be good enough.

Sk8pics you made me laugh! I do stuff like that all the time when I am tired!

Fabulous - Lesson was good - briefly did some spinning and I can rotate about 4 times but my arms are goofy so I have to work on those. We did "double 3's" which was doing the RFO then RBO then LFO and BLO and it was really quite fun! We also did this mohawk thing where you do a mohawk and then cross your leg over and do the next mohawk, that was hard, my left mohawk is pretty weak, I'll practice those Wed. We didn't jump which was good because my ankles and shins were sore.

Frightful - I still have a hard time doing the "beautiful" cross over where I hold my legs out straight and avoid the ugly bendy ankle thing I do. Had some boot woes, tried heel cups, they totally weird out the feel of my boot.

Frightful

Jumps were heavy.
I fell on a loop!
My camel spin was awful.
The programme was full of mistakes.
Took me 3 attempts to land a lutz.

Fabulous

I got a few backspins today.
Loop-loop was good in places.
I could do the back spiral.

__________________
MEL
Absolute Skating

Frightful: I'm in a show on Sunday. I've been switching elements to accomodate my injuries.

Fabulous, or at least less frightful: I went through the gold moves, and could remember the brackets and the one with the three's at the end. We also did the forward power circles, and they were ok. The physical therapist said I can start easing things back into practice soon.
Mrs. Redboots: I can relate to the icky ice. The ice at my home rink use to be the best around, and now htey don't want to cut it very often, and it's gone to pot. The ends are like the continental slope. I'm waiting for one of us to disappear during an end pattern.

Pat: You can't imagine how many times I've taken Advil at night then two minutes later wondered if I took the Advil...ahh, fatigue is a wonderful thing in one's 40's...

Frightful: The fact that skating judges seem to give very little credit for footwork these days...(this will make sense in a moment)...

Fabulous: Wanted a "fun" lesson today--its mucho stress at work--I'm about the only doctor in the hospital not taking anything resembling a week of vacation this month, and as the three others who can read scans are either on vacation or taking boards, its just little ol' me this week, and we're super busy with the "get the study done before school starts" patients. I need to cut 30 more seconds of music into "Minor Swing" to serve as a Freestyle 1 artistic program for me, and the part of the music I want to use is very "boppy"--it sounds like tap dancing, so I asked for my first formal footwork lesson today...

Talk about something that looks easy that is really HARD!!!! We did:

1. "3" step mohawk (forward inside edge, back inside edge, forward inside edge in rapid sequence, looks like tap dancing on ice--it was also primo difficult, starting first with right and then with left). Basically, cute little mohawk "1-2-3's" alternating sides. Perfect for the music I will be adding.
2. LFO3 to pick back with freeleg, spin/pivot skating leg around other toepick, go into next LFO3 and same sequence, end with back extension to relieve dizziness
3. Pinwheels: FO3 with back extension, both sides
4. Footwork FO3's alternating--here you don't get fully backwards--you stay somewhat facing forward, using your arms to help you turn and feeling a "scoop" in the back of your blade with each turn. It sounds weird, but it looks really pretty. At least the way my coach does it, I've got a long way to go, but wow, I could at least do them!!

So for me, my first "successes" with variations on three turns--quite an "egoboo" after last week's tears of frustration. It was great fun, but talk about exhausting!!!!! SO--why DON'T the judges give more credit for this!!!!!!

EXTRA FABULOUS:

1. I get to keep my lessons at 6:30 AM this fall (my teen "training partner" needs the earlier slot, so I get to warm up first like I've been doing this summer--YAY!!!) AND I might be able to increase to TWO lessons a week!!! That would be absolute happy, happy, joy, JOY!!

2. I have my appointment with Mr. Klingbeil this coming weekend!! My first new set of boots, measured and planned right there at the factory. My hubby will go with me, and we're going to head to the city and have a day in New York. I can't wait--My first NEW set of boots!!! Whoo hoo!!! 8)

A great day!!!

Beth

This is for last night, at Slough:

Frightful: Robert's forward swing rolls are still ghastly, and I notice that on his back ones, he tends only to pay lip service to the concept of drawing a semi-circle on the ice, so his look more like ticks! Which makes it very difficult to follow him in the Swing Dance! My back edges were still ghastly - they are going to take some working on! But I can at least walk through the Blues now, even though I don't skate well enough to dance it. Robert's "Other partner" was there, so I didn't get to do the 14-step with him, and the only other dance I was offered by someone else was a Foxtrot, which I am not yet confident enough to do except with a professional partner.

I had just been watching a video of the Mountain Cup, and had learnt a great deal from it, and was very aware of my own faults! The absolute worst wasn't my skating, but my announcing - whatever do I sound like???

Fabulous: The ice at Slough is always lovely compared to the ice at Streatham. I had a great time dancing with Robert - his "other partner" was late, so we got to do a Prelim Waltz together, which is definitely coming along now. Sometimes I get a glimpse that we are beginning to get things right, which is fantastic! We had a good runthrough of our dances for Bordeaux - even the Swing Dance is improving, slowly.

I am so pleased I finally sat down to watch the video. Yes, we look terrible, but we look a lot better than we did in last year's, which is a start, and a lot of the mistakes I see are stuff which our coach is already addressing. I saw exactly what he meant when he said, on Sunday, that I was on two feet throughout the Swing Dance! I am!!! Anyway, now I know what he means, I can correct it.

The other thing that was great was watching the Bronze couples, the class above us. We won't make Bronze this year, and probably not the year after, but at least we know what to aim for. And, of course, they are doing the Cha-cha, which is one of next year's dances, so we can watch and rewatch and see how it ought to be done (it is only a recreational dance here, so everybody does it differently!). So all good stuff. I hadn't time to watch all of it before it was time to go out, so I don't know if my interpretive is on it. I hope so, as I want to see what needs to be improved (apart from my basic skating!) before Bordeaux, not that there's much time now.

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Too funny!!!!! Unfortunately true for many of us.

Lack of rest and too many thoughts in our minds.

Frightful:

* The rink this morning. The dehumidifiers were down for some reason, and the rink was dreadfully foggy. On top of that, I wear my glasses while I skate, and my glasses kept fogging up.

* My first set of Foxtrot patterns to the music.

Fabulous:

* Forward Power 3's: YES YES YES. Coach was very pleased with them today, even the right side. I was very pleased with them also.

* The last mohawk on my last pattern of Foxtrot: Very nice and smooth. Actually the last set of sequences of Foxtrot I did to the music weren't bad... it's getting better and the Foxtrot music was starting to feel closer to comfortable.

--jsl

flo, are you talking about Ice World? I've been going there for the first freestyle session on Sundays, and I agree it's been awful lately. I had heard it was b/c their compressor wasn't working right. A couple of weeks ago, I had a misadventure with a toe loop - I took off and my toe pick slipped in the mush, and I ended up on my rear

What days do you practice there? Or are you usually at NW?

Hi Debbie,
Actually I was talking about Northwest. I haven't been to Ice World very much this summer, but may go tonight or Wednesday. I have been at NW on the weekends. I did hear that Ice World does have a new skating director, but I don't know who it is.

Thanks for the update about Ice World, flo. It's good that they found someone. I was considering switching to Mt. Pleasant if the instructors made an exodus there - I know they all really liked Carla - I guess I'll wait and see what happens in the fall.

I know what you mean about NW - I went there a couple of times during the public sessions last winter, and the ends do get scary.

The ice at Ice World was a little better this past Sunday - hopefully, they solved their problems. I'll probably switch to either the Tues. or Wed. 5:30 sessions starting next week - since the Wed. lessons are over. Maybe I'll see you there sometime!