I'll check it out. And yes, I will be living vicariously through everyone online.

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Spring: So far so good, lots of jumping and clean programs just abound, of course I have only singles... camel-back camel is getting better, today ballerina pushed left leg up to about 110 degrees, higher than the right leg for the first time. Working on figures for MC did forward paragraph, back paragraph double 3's and rocker serpentines, Oi! Excellent for the hip strength and working strength and getting good strong pushes. Dances going well dance coach seems amused that they are better.

Winter: Having some very serious soreness but all muscular. Missing my flying camel, makes me sad, working on axel w/out harness for first time tomorrow. Ekkk!

Hope everyone does well at Pacs and Eastern sectionals.

Leslie

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Who me? Couldn't be....
http://www.youtube.com/bouldersk8r

Get well fast! It is the smart thing to listen to the needs from your body. It is better to heal completely and skate freely than feel sorry later on. You can always do stretch or even think about choreography or footworks during the time you aren't on ice. Time flies!

You gave me SPRING IS COMING as panacea. You gotta tell me about it!

Yes, but thank you so much for reassuring me that I am probably not hurting my right hamstring further! And . . . OMG, "Rip"?! I shudder to even imagine that!!

I always start with a thorough calf stretch (since tight calves can limit the range of the hamstrings), then I do the seated hamstring stretch VERY gradually--for about 10 minutes on the right side alone! Only when I can finally get my chest flat to my right thigh and hold it for 30 seconds do I move on to a split/arabesque type stretch on the ballet barre. That's the part where I need to be extra careful because trying to do a split (on the floor) without keeping my hips squared is how I pulled it. In order to keep my hips squared and keep from pulling it again, I stand on my right leg and carefully bring my other leg up behind me on the barre. Keeping my hips squared and my back leg knee facing down, I lower my torso so that my chest is flat to my right thigh. I keep it there as I push back to about a 150-degree split, then very carefully bring my torso upright. If I don't do it this way, I risk opening out my left hip and . . . OW!!

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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

General story: Power class... the drill is bunny hops alternating feet on the jump down the length of the rink and as fast as you can muster, forward crossovers on the ends and repeat going back up the length!!! Majorly bruised BOTH KNEES. And back then they were the roller blading hard shell knee pads. Trust me! They DON'T WORK!!! They just get pushed off your knee. Your knees still get it!!!

The Skating Safe brand is probably the only knee pads I would advocate... that is if your coach allows you to wear knee pads in the first place! (No, I'm FORBIDDEN from wearing knee and butt pads now! I know quite a few coaches that would NOT allow their students to wear ANY protective padding either. It's consider to be 'coddling' in one specific coach's case... ) Anyway, with two pairs of tights against your bare skin knee, it really does stick to your knee... unless you're one of those that really work up a sweat, then it will slide off!!!

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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!!!

The Skating Safe brand is probably the only knee pads I would advocate... that is if your coach allows you to wear knee pads in the first place! (No, I'm FORBIDDEN from wearing knee and butt pads now! I know quite a few coaches that would NOT allow their students to wear ANY protective padding either. It's consider to be 'coddling' in one specific coach's case... ) Anyway, with two pairs of tights against your bare skin knee, it really does stick to your knee... unless you're one of those that really work up a sweat, then it will slide off!!! [/QUOTE]

Are you talking about gel pads? Those really work; I wear them all the time with two pairs of tights, and no one even knows I have them on. I fell on my knee pretty hard once, when I tripped over the toepick. I can't say that I felt nothing; it did hurt, but I kept skating and didn't need any time off. Otherwise I'm sure I would have broken my kneecap or at leased bruised it badly.

Yes and I had a similar situation to you too where I was thankful I had my gel knee pads on. (And yes, my secondary coach would *KNOW* when I have my knee pads on. TRUST me on this!!! )

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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!!!

Oh boy, that drill sounds like bloody bunnies all over the place. ..I am too bony (unfortunately not bonny) to take any crash risk now. So, I slid my home-made skating safe devices under tights(for knees and tailbone) and sleeves (for elbows). They are microcell foam about 1/8" thick and work well for me. My coach hasn't noticed it yet! The trade-off is microcell is close-cell foam. It makes me uncomfortable after some workout.

About skating as pain relief, it's what I do as well. I had a few really scary diagnosis like 6 years ago and doctors figured I wouldn't make it. I did, but I was constantly tired and everything hurt. Dancing helped some, but figure skating really did the trick.

However, my headaches went away for an entirely different reason. I saw a really good Russian bone-and-nerves doctor (basically spine doctor) who twisted my neck some and then went like... Well your neck vertebrae seem to be twisted and they're cutting off blood supply to your brains, let's do an X-ray of your neck and spine and if the problem is what I think it is, a few sessions should fix it.
So, they made an X-ray and discovered that besides fom indeed problems with the neck vertebrae, I also have a sunk in back vertebrae which is the result of having broken it sometime as a child... Strange story. I didn't know it was possible to break a vertebrae and not know about it, but apparently I was luckyer than you need to be to win the lottery.

However, he did some serious twisting and pulling on my neck and at first, I thought he was gonna break my neck. Basically, he'd lay me down flat on the table with the back to the table, pull my head as if he were trying to pull it off my neck and then turn the head 90 degrees left and then the same thing for right. After a few sessions, I noticed I no longer was having headaches and also could actually sleep on normal pillows instead of no pillow or triple-folded pillow.

The result dissapeared after about a year, so I had it done again. And again a year later because of another neck injury. Since then, the effect stayed. Sometimes I pull and twist my own neck a little bit.


And mom was having headaches for years from an injury to the area just over her tailbone... Our nervous system is weird!!!


As for the spine thing, they did some extensive physiotherapy and deep and really really painful massage there and for the first time in my life, my chest didn't hurt when I was running (previously they'd diagnosed inflammation of tissue between the ribs or something, but that was apparently nonsense). Though they can't make the bone "scar" tissue go away and they can't free the nerves that are pushed on by it.



I've gotta say, jogging/running has about the same endorphin releasing, painkilling properties. But you gotta have strong knees and it's not gonna work with a fracture. Maybe you could go swimming?


But for the headaches maybe you should let your neck and spine be checked by a doctor?

My coach is always trying to convince me to wear pads because I'm such a chicken, she thinks they'd give me confidence. But see, the appeal of skating to me is not being a jumping jock, but a graceful ballerina. Even if it is a fantasy (cuz I'm not a jock or graceful) - the pads really intefere with the fantasy.

j

Doubletoe, those stretches sound great (and really, your ROM isn't too bad at all, considering a hamstring pull! My mostly healed right leg is still a bit too tight to get my head all the way to my leg without cheating, so it sounds like you're doing a great job with stretching it!)... and the rip sound... it can either be a rip or sound like a pop *shudder* I think TeamArthritis (correct me if I'm wrong on that, TA!) mentioned a similar sound quite a few threads ago...

And jskater, if it makes you feel any better about wearing pads, even graceful ballerinas sometimes wear kneepads when the choreography calls for major contact with the floor! If you haven't tried the skating safe pads, ask around and see if someone you know has them so that you can see what they look like on-- they're very inobtrusive and I usually don't even notice they're there... until i fall. And then I don't feel anything.

NE way....

Winter Frosts:
Couldn't figure out why, regardless of when I went to bed, I've overslept this week and missed the early freestyles every day. Then woke up this morning to a nasty little head cold. Apparently, my body was trying to ward off the cold with sleep... and failed. So no skating today, and lots of fluids to see if I can flush this out of my system faster... I may still try to make it onto the ice tommorrow.

We began backwards 3-turns on Sunday. eew.... I never realized how truly sucky I can be about listening to my coach and using my arms properly until this past lesson!

Signs of Spring:
Finally, after MONTHS of trying and getting foiled again and again, I'm going to be able to go into NYC on Friday (thanks to a cadaver lab for work). So, after my lab is finished, I'm hoping to run some errands and then, if I can somehow inobtrusively sneak my skates in and out of the lab (or my car, if I drive in), I'm going to try and realize my dream of skating at Rockefeller Center-- cold or no cold!

Does anyone here know if NYU has a decent parking deck? Preferably self parking, because my poor car just got back from the body shop (because a guy in an SUV backed into me the other day because he "couldn't see me") and I'm a little bit touchy about my little car. If not, does the Hoboken PATH station have decent parking? I'll just have to find a way to hide those skates from my boss' eyes!

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When asked what his "secret" to success was, Wayne Gretsky said: "Skate to where the puck is going and not to where it has been."
Is the figure skating version of this: Skate as if you're doing an axel and not just learning how to hop?

Signs of Spring

My daughter landed her double toe in her program during practice today! That is her only goal for her competion this weekend so that was very encouraging. Now only if her double lutz which has been on vacation for a long time would stick around...

and me-- I ran through my program with music and took my coaches advice...kind of like the keyword thing - but basically thought about ONE ELEMENT AT A TIME and woo hoo - I did EVERYTHING and kept moving with flow throughout. I took out the 3 turn toe taps cuz they are freaking me out and instead I do a couple of step behinds so I can have something that resembles footwork.

Usually my one foot spin is kind of a throw away, barely two revolutions but I took my time, bent my knees going into it, found my sweet spot and spun maybe 5 revolutions for sure 4.

And I actually LEFT the ice for both my waltz jumps, mind you the one after my back spiral had no flow and just about came to a screeching halt...but both feet did leave the ice, which I don't think I've managed that for both jumps with music yet. So it can be done.

Winter Frost Another girl was playing her cha cha music so I gave it a go, and even my crappy sort of side ways step behinds are gone. I'm signed up to compete that dance at adult midwesterns so probably should work on that move one of these days

j

Signs Of Spring: (But not outside - more significant snow in the forecast )

Well today was "It Don't Get Any Worse" day - a mock run-through of a bad competition day!

I hadn't skated in a week, up at 3:45 a.m. (well actually 4:15 since I was trying to sleep through the alarm - must have had something to do with that glass of brandy last night!). At the rink by 6:20, short off-ice warm-up (20 minutes), boot up and listen to my program a few times while waiting for my coach. Hit the ice at 7:15, do a 5 minute warm up, and then come off the ice for about 10 minutes. Back on the ice, take my position, and do my program.

Well, it was a bit shaky here and there and a wee bit stilted in places (both from lack of a thorough on-ice warm-up) but I made it through with no really noticeable screw-ups. Not my best program but skated under the worst possible circumstances.

If that is as bad as it gets, I guess I am ready for Calgary in 3 week's time....

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

It can indeed! Last year, for the first time, I actually LEFT THE ICE in COMPETITION in a 3-jump (waltz jump) - and have witnesses to prove it. I could and did to beautiful 3-jumps when not in competition, but they invariably abandoned me during one.

I was so pleased with myself, though, that I fell out of character (I was being Rizzo being Sandra Dee, from Grease) and had a serious struggle to get back in.

xofivebyfive - big hugs! So sorry to learn about your stress fracture, but it will heal.

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

GRRRR! "Hot under the collar" winter frost:
The girl who opens the rink on Wednesday mornings is supposed to have the ice done at 6 am. However she's been about 15 minutes late since January.

I can live with that, and have mostly adjusted my schedule to arrive a little late myself.

However when I arrived this morning, she hadn't cut the ice, nor did it look like she intended to. She turned on the TV in the lobby, and went to her seat behind the counter.

I put my coat back on and left. I emailed my coach to tell her I had cancelled my morning lesson. She has more pull at the rink than I do, so I'll let her deal with the lazy morning person.

GRRRR!

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Bill Schneider

Signs of Spring- Had an awesome lesson last night. I had been feeling really miserable, tooth problems from a dentist visit gone wrong, a runny nose, and some eye pain- but I trucked on and it was great. We worked mostly on jumps, and as ridiculous as it seemed my coach decided to put me in the harness for my singles. The little girls were all "are you learning an axel" and I had to laugh and do a waltz jump instead. BUT it was a really high waltz jump, and really gave me an opportunity to work on my loop. We also did salchows and toe loops, which along with the waltz jump translated well once off of the harness. The loop definetly still needs work. It was great fun. But I don't think I've ever fallen so much- even though the harness kept it from hurting, I hit the ice alot. But that means I was finally jumping, rather than barely leaving the ice!

This seems silly but I'm also excited I fell during a little improv while picking my interpretive/spotlight music (we decided on got to get a gimmick from gypsy). The reason I fell is because I was doing 3 turns into chorus line style kicks- and one kick went too high and knocked me over. Normally I'm too hesitant to let myself fall. So finally falling was great. I didn't expect it, and I fell safely and didn't hurt myself. A few more of those should get rid of the fear of falling. Oh- and I love skating to music. I feel like I need to perform, and then usually forget I can't skate well and try crazy things.

Winter Frost More like a blizzard. This isn't skating related- but that eye pain. Well after I got home from skating it morphed into incredible pain, a constant running, and extreme light sensitivity. I decided against going to the ER in the middle of the night, because what is the chance they have anyone who knows a lot about eyes, and called every eye clinic in town starting at 7:00 this morning. (well my husand did, by then I couldn't even open my eyes they hurt so badly) Got in for an 8:30 appointment- turns out I have a corneal ulcer. He dilated my eye, so now it can't contract the light sensitivity is gone. Now I just have to keep giving myself eye drops all day long. The pain isn't as bad, but it definetly still hurts. At least now I can see.

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Yay Redboots. Us Waltz wheenies have to stick together! Even in the best of circumstances I don't think I've ever actually done a waltz jump that can be called beautiful however

j

Ouch, Jessi - I've had corneal ulcers before - glad you are doing a little bit better now & hopefully it will heal fast now that you know what the problem is.

YAY! on the jumping progress (and falling too?).


Signs of Spring? (to be determined . . . )

I'm going for a lunchtime "skate" in just a little bit, so will update after that. Had my last group lesson with the kiddos on Sat., group coach confirmed that DS and I "have" our power 3's, so that was cool . . . and salchows are coming right along for me, DS gave me the when I demonstrated for him, so I guess that means I've got it!

DS is still on his change foot spin but usually "second time's the charm" so hopefully he will get it right at least ONCE at the comp on Sat. And it's totally a mental thing - whatcha gonna do. AND, after much deliberation/discussion and scouring shops around town for his comp outfit, we finally settled on camo pants (I altered them to cut down on the bagginess, and added elastic/velcro on the bottom of the cuffs) and a black t - looks very slick and he is very happy with it!).

And DS landed his loop on Tuesday! I haven't seen it firsthand, as I didn't take him to that practice, but have it from reputable secondhand sources. Now, he is setting his sights on a sit spin . . . - I think that's his last obstacle in FS 4.

K . . wish me luck . . . gotta go hit the ice!! (hopefully not literally!!!).

Waltz wheenies . . . hee hee . . . LOVE IT!!!


good luck at your comp, btw!! Make all of us skating moms look good!!!

Count me in on the waltz weenie group! I even got harnessed to work on it!

Congrats Mrs. Redboots!

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Signs of Spring:

Showed my coach my newly discovered loop jumps today. My entrance is a little wonky but the jump itself is fully rotated and landed on one foot. So we started working on waltz-loops. I'm very excited.

Winter Frost:
I got video recorded doing my backspins today. I was so focused on the size of my behind and the pace in which I was going that I had to see it a couple of times to see the foot thing my coach was talking about. Now I see it, I just can't seem to fix it.
Moves were awful. Everything was off today. I even heard the click of death doing back crossovers and went down hard. Oh well, I guess it is part of the joy of skating.

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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

Anyone else have a problem with the landing foot skidding out as you push on it landing the 1/2 Flip? The only way I can prevent this is if I almost kick out the left foot to keep it in front of me.

Yeh EmberChilde that Pop/Rip, still makes me shudder to think about it. Strange, my first sensation after wards was immediate nausea. Only when I felt I could keep my food down did I realize that it hurt so bad I couldn't wlk. Then I touched my hamstrings and felt this big pit, yuch. SImilar thing on the groin but not so deep a pain.

Solidly refrozen ice (afer a thaw and refreeze) - wow very strange bird. Super slick and tough to hold an edge but spinning was great?!

Lyle

can I join the waltz weenie club????? I videoed mine yesterday, and they were soooo small The motion was there but height and distance sadly lacking!!!!!!!

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Level one Field Moves......PASSED 05.06.08
Level one Free dance.....PASSED 02.10.08

GOALS FOR 2009

• Level One Compulsary dances.......PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Elements.....................PASSED 10.07.09
• Level Two Free dance.................PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Free...........................
• Level Two compulsory dances.......

Loving it, Loving it, Loving it!!!!!

Except when I compete, I ALWAYS wear the skating safe gel knee pads and the roller blade hard plastic wrist guards. My coach knows that it's not an option for me, I would have broken my arm several times if I didn't have the wrist guards. Actually, with the wrist guards, I learned not to try to put my hand down when I fall - this came in handy a few nights ago when my kitchen floor was wet and my foot slipped right from under me and I fell hard on my terrazzo (a form of concrete) floor. Had I not learned not to try to catch myself with my hand, I would have broken my arm. As it was, I was very lucky to escape with just a few bruises. Believe it or not, it hurts a lot less when I fall on the ice than when I fall on the kitchen floor!

I wear plastic wrist guards for my wrist. I couldn't even lift a coat with that arm for a few months after 2 falls on the wrist, I couldn't move the entire arm from the shoulder.
When falling, I sort of would stretch out the arm in front of me, and then have my hand at 90 degrees to the rest of my arm and instead of falling on my hands, well I would fall on my hands, but because the arm was totally stretched out, it impacted onto a "locked" wrist and elbow joint and onto the shoulder, there wasn't anywhere the impact force could go since all the joints were "locked", it just went like BANG-BANG-BANG like when a car smacks into a standing row of cars (I've seen that happen once, the force just passes through as a wave, barely loosing in strength).

Wrist pads taught me to fall differently, sort of on the flesh of the underarm with bent elbow and the like.

However, I tested without them and that was no problem and occasionally I'll spin and jump without them too - as long as I wear my gloves, psychologically it doesn't matter if I'm wearing wrist guards or not. I can't skate without gloves though, strangely enough. I miss the feeling of my fingers being "compressed". LOL!

I decided not to wear knee pads, I tried but they inhibit my movement too much. I've just got a lot of bruises on my knees and take glucosamine for them, it really helps somehow.

Occasionally I stuff sponges in my pants when I keep falling on the same spot in my jumps.

I'm totally recommending the wrist pad thing to everybody. Besides, skating isn't just grace, it's also power, strength, it's a sport - not just an art. For me, it's more of a sport than an art to be frank. And wrist pads fit into that just fine.