+GOE:
I went into today's lesson feeling woefully unprepared, but coach said there was perceptible improvement on everything . We started with pushing off from a T position, which is one of the things I asked to work on in first lesson, knowing that there should be zero lurch. I had done my homework (literally, hold position in front of mirror), and even though I didn't feel much better with L foot in front, coach did see some improvement, and I felt it on push off. My big surprise came, though when I did F perimeter stroking with XO's on ends. CCW (progressive)XO's were smooth as a knife through butter, and coach was quick to complement them! FI threes were improved and I wasn't so scared of them. FO threes are better too, and coach discovered why I always felt off balance after stepping to FO edge for next turn. I'm going to have to work hard on this one, because it is counter to my roller dance training, but it's good to know that I'm not just a hopeless klutz! I've known for a long time that hips/shoulders were wrong, but could not figure out why. We also worked on BI edges down the continuous axis, focussing on shift of weight and smooth transition.

-GOE:
No lesson next week, as local schools are out on Friday and I don't want to skate on a crowded session.

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+GOE I was on the ice last night which was a nice change! Guttys me tried an axel within 5 minutes of being back on the ice after a month break and landed it! My coach gave me crap though because she didnt want me doing freeskate because of my ankle.

-GOE I might have to be off the ice from another week because i think i tweek my ankle a little bit again and it still hurts. I think i should let it recover totally. But thats hard for me because im stubborn

...Sounds like a little pre-competition jitters going on too. I'm rooting for you S@D!!

When I feel this way I know I am not drinking enough water. Glad to hear you were feeling better at the end of the session. Drink more H2O! ...and a llittle dark chocolate will help the lethargy too -- just fo fun

- GOE:
Loop jump. From a RFI3 it is over rotated, landing is still 2 footed and cheated. Coach says my left free foot is trying to do the jump not the right back outsitde edge It is still unsatifying as I want a loop from a mohawk entry instead. I dream of big beautiful loops with big ripping sounds going into them. *sigh*. My timing is all wrong. I know when it happens some day, I will be wondering why I was fretting so much over a stupid little jump.

+ GOE:
Bronze Moves today went well. I even played a little with silver moves elements namely forward and backward power pulls. Tracings in the ice show that my edges are getting deeper. Now If I weren't such a 'fraidy cat when it comes to BI3s.

Yep... Although I doubt the damage we did there even remotely approached the damage done to the ice by kids/teens on the sides of the rink.

Not pathetic! I saw quite strong foundation there.


Naaah... not frustration... just that you are too good a skater not to be able to do it, but it might take some time to get used to the idea of doing it other way than you are used to.

As for my own skating in the last few days...

-GOE:
on Wednesday - ICE!
Thursday: flew off the tail of the blade on FI double-3s, on a BO-3. Haven't done that in awhile. In general, my double-3s have deteriorated in the last couple months that I'm coachless... Hope this situation will change soon.

+GOE:
On Wednesday, was trying to get sympathy from Isk8NYC on my traveling forward spins, and she got me to do one on the blue line, which I centered perfectly (was too surprised to even continue spinning). Had a tad more success than usual in centering spins on Thursday - hope the trend continues. Maybe I'll finally be able to improve my scratch spin!

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--renatele

Which is probably another reason why I can't do it, as I don't get enough rock on the BXOs yet. Coach says the one will help the other, but I'm finding switching between the two (as you have to, since the move requires BXOs round the end and then the cross-cuts, cross-strokes or whatever you call them down the long axis) very hard, as my posture is too far forwards in the XOs. Sigh....

And we didn't skate this morning. I thought we might, so set my alarm, but Husband showed no signs of wanting to rouse so I went back to sleep again.

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

+GOE:
Watched skating on TV and was able to name every single edge, move, element. Heh, can tell that rocker from a counter. Yes, thousands of dollars in skating lessons with the result that I sound like Dick Button and got told to shut up!

-GOE:
notice the lack of skating report? The rink has zamboni problem and sessions got cancelled. I also have work related road trip so am off the ice for a while. I wanted to get in some extra skating before being off but it didn't work out.

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I'm just messing around, waiting to drive up to Aston for the HC....and I got to thinking when I could squeeze in my pre-bronze tests. I don't want to test too early as it might mess up my classification for my ISI comps (I think I'm Artistic 2 now). The slew of comps ends with Skate Annapolis, which is usually the first weekend in March. So, I am going to shoot for April. I think I will run it by my coach tomorrow and see what she says. I am thinking about testing at Skate Club of Wilmington (DE). Then the following month I can test my dances. maybe.

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

-GOE Knowing that LFO3 turns were on today’s lesson, I started them after warmup and realized it is probably my left side weakness that stops me from rotating my LFO3's so I decided to work the he!! out of the left side today - which I did - 75% of everything on the left side for 1:30 - F/B stroking, F/B I/O edges, F/B left foot glides with only a sprinkle of RFO Mohawks and RFO3's.

+GOE When it got to lesson, we did back Mohawks, RFO3's and, at the end, I actually hit a couple of LFO3 turns! WAHOO! (Small things amuse small minds - LOL!)

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

Way to Go, Girl!!!!!!

Skated at HC today....it was full of plusses and minuses so I will just lump everything together. They were ahead of schedule and dummy me didn't really allow a long enough off-ice warm-up. I should have walked around a bit more, but by the time I got my skates on, they were ready to zam the ice. My right hamstring was sore and tight, probably from the ride up (1.5 hours) and sitting. On-ice warmup was good, then I was up first. Oh yeah, it was olympic size ice and that threw me a bit off. My skate went ok for the first half of my routine (except my mohawk at the beginning decided to be absent), at the stupid drunken sailor part it tanked....forgot my toe-loop and arabesque spiral. I did save my 2-foot spin and the ending (although not the new one). I think I remembered to bow to the judges....my mind was sort of blank at that point. I'm glad I didn't fall and my knee wasn't bothering me. I placed first, but I'm wondering if I should have skated up to pre-bronze. Something to think about for the next USFSA competition.

The manuever team was much more fun!!!!! I actually like to spiral on olympic ice...tons of room and no one to run into today! Everyone did well, even hubby made a great attempt and managed to save his one-foot spin. We had a great group and everyone did great! It was nice to finally put faces to (screen) names and what a great bunch of women! Mikawendy, Joan, Raye, my hubby Phil and I were "Phil's Ghouls" and we placed third in the pre-bronze/bronze manuever event.

Phil (hubby) has the competition bug now and is planning on skating at the Pond's comp in February. Isn't that something?

ps-jasmine says "hi" to everyone; and I met phillyskater; saw photos of Oleg's new baby (he coaches at sk8pics rink) she is a cutie pie!!! and I did order a dvd of my skating and the manuever team...as if telling my coach isn't enough, I have to show her how my footwork tanked (stupid drunken sailors!!!!!)

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

S@Del, WHOO HOO!!! GOOOOOOLD!!!

And congrats to "Phil's Ghouls!!!"

Can't wait to hear about the rest of 'ya over there at HC!!! (And yes, I want gossips too... but PM me on the gossips please!!!)

(ETA disclaimer: The "gossip" comment was made with tougue FIRMLY in cheek...)

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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!!!

Thanks, jazz!

I don't have any gossips, though. Spent most of my free time with hubby, keeping him calm. It was his first competition and, although he was nervous, he did well! We came home and he picked out music for the next competition (to be held at The Pond in February). I didn't even make it to the pro-shop to see if they had anything interesting!!! (I was going to look at tights) oh well.

I was just sad that sk8pics (Pat) wasn't going to skate this weekend.

I do wish everyone else who skates today: GOOD SKATING!!!!

and I'm fighting a cold now (tea, more liquids, Zicam, and vitamins!!!!) but that's ok, last year at this time I had full-blown pneumonia so I can handle a cold.

Thanks to Raye for hooking me on maple taffy! (she brought some for the skater's to enjoy) I love maple and that was a special treat!

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

Congratulations to you, and to all of Phil's Ghouls!

+ GOE: Thank you to those who gave me hints and tips for the back cross-strokes. One way and another - and especially by thinking of the ankle movement that is needed for back crossovers - they were way improved this morning! Whether they'll pass muster with the coach is another matter, but they felt a great deal better.

- GOE: Did an appalling Willow Waltz and an even worse British one with the Husband! And a Canasta that would have been a lot better if we had remembered the steps....

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

Thanks, me too.

And congratulations on your placements and skating. Those medals are cool; I always wanted one.

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August 22, back on the ice!

Thanks, Skate@Delaware! I tried this yesterday (albeit on bad ice in a crowded public session where some kids were gunning for anyone who wasn't just going in circles around the perimeter), and got a few decent revolutions. I wasn't fully balanced yet, but squeezing the thighs definitely did help.

I can't wait to try this in my (first!!!!!!) private on Wednesday!

Congratulations to S@D and Phil's Ghouls! (Great team name, btw.)
Sorry you couldn't be there, sk8pics.

Skated a tiny bit yesterday while I was waiting for students.

+GOE
Edges are dead on, and my turns are so much better since I practiced them on Wednesday with Renatele.

Nailed a flip, for some strange reason. I was just demonstrating the takeoff and wasn't planning to jump. I'll keep it, thank you! (My student needs another inch of rotation and she'll have hers, too!)

-GOE
This cold is a real downer. I have to clear my head before I spin ... 'nuff said.
Haven't heard back from the coach I called for lessons. Have to come up with a Plan D.

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Thanks, Isk8NYC! The team event was definitely a LOT of fun, and it was nice to meet Joan and Raye in person. I'm proud of our team sign, which features drawings of oozing blood, pustules, pox, and bats! Phil's electric blue wig was great (think Cookie Monster but a shade brighter). :O)

All weekend long, I was having trouble saying our team name without stumbling--it's nearly a tongue twister--and I noticed the announcer paused and spoke the name a little slowly, too.

And Pat, if you're reading this, yes, we missed seeing you at HC this weekend. I hope your healing goes well.

Yes, it was nice to meet Yazmeen (a former skatingforums poster). I'd never met her in person and had been wondering how she was doing.

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Ask me about becoming a bone marrow donor.
http://www.marrow.org
http://www.nmdp.org

Thanks, Mika. I missed seeing me there, too.

I will volunteer to help out at the Pond's competition in Febraury, since I should be walking by then although not skating.

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August 22, back on the ice!