Forgot to add to the cool breezes from the other day: Coach was very supportive and didn't look at me like I was insane when I mentioned wanting to work towards pre-bronze testing. She proceeded to rattle off the items on the MITF and FS tests that she could remember off her head and said, "well, we'll have to start working on some jumps." I still think the spins are going to be a doozy. I just get too dizzy.

Sk8pdx: It has been my aim for the last few years to get back to the cool(er, mostly) NW, where I grew up. This hot, humid Midwestern climate does not agree with me!

Sk8pdx: LOL on the pickle building...I forgot that is what you called it. (I had no idea that Portland's rain produced such rectangular cucumbers! ) Moldy dirty grass uh? giggle. With a little lemon it is at least mostly organic! You need to come visit us not in the throws of our summer's worst! And you need to come free from less than cooperative lazy coworkers! How is the job search?

Cool breezes: Today in my private lesson I actually completed 4 revolutions on a one foot spin out of cross overs *pinch* !!!! I did not believe it but my coach assured me that was what I did and we looked at the tracing. Nicely centered and no traveling! (We won't mention that I could not do it again! lol). Learned a 1/2 lutz and a dance sequence that will be required on the next level of testing. (I thought of Mrs Redboots! lol) . My flip is now looking good consistently! Skated over 4 hours today! Whew, what a great escape from our heat!

Sweltering Heat: My waltz jump to toe tap to another waltz is just pitiful! I had this down from a bunch of practice last weekend but could not do it with height or good form for my coach! May have to move my private lesson time to a public session. The good news is that school is back in session which means there are few people there even for public sessions but the bad news is that it is a luck of the draw for who shows up for those! The rink is doing funky things with the freestyle slots and it is messing with my personal schedule...ugh! My back is sore every time I do jumps and I wonder how this old lady is going to fair as I advance in expectations of skills...eeek!

Have a great weekend!

Dallasskater, we must just miss you, we get there at 3:45 every day. Boy are the after school freestyles crowded (compared to the times we came summer), you are wise to come earlier!

It is a wonder you arent all sick with going from the extreme heat to the cold to the heat all the time.

Congrats on the spin!

SpaMama

Sweltering Heat:
I can't seem to get enough knee bend and height on simple waltz jumps. My salchow even sucks today. Why does it seem when I focus on practicing backspin my salchow goes to Hades. (I know it is because I'm not checking out of the 3 turn and holding... )

I am still recovering from the aftermath of tuesday's off-ice training session.

I know I am doing something terribly wrong with loop jump. The outside of my right ankle is killing me. (again not enough knee bend and I am sure that my ankle is taking the brunt of the landing instead. ...PLUS it is cheated.

Cool Breezes:
This morning as I was supposed to have a moves lesson but coach got stuck in LA last night. spins were traveling and I couldn't hold the entrance edge for my life. Then when I returned this evening I had my blades sharpened before Club Session. WOW what a difference it made. Centered spins and everything was awesome. even the Power 3's in Bronze moves were stellar!

LilJen: I was born in Oregon, raised in Northern VA. Quantico was my back yard. I know about how humid and icky "sweltering" can be. I miss the song birds though and the "lightening bugs" in the summer time. They don't have those in Oregon.

DallasSkater: I might need your services to evaluate what it is I really want to do. Do you match job types for peoples' different psychoses? I will PM you with my address and you can send me the bill.

I think we all have problems there. Don't forget that the first edge of the run has to be going out to the centre of the rink, and the LFI bit needs to be at the top of the lobe. We found once we got that right, the rest was okay.... I think. It usually is....

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

This is from yesterday afternoon, since the minute I got online last night, I was on chat with some forum folks..... (you guys know who you are )

Cool Breezes:
There was a test session being held at another area rink today so the freestyle was empty. The regular girls were there, but they were helping with scoring hockey games during a tournament.
I started with 10 minutes of figures (just forward and outside edges and outside 3 to center figure), then did the entire Bronze moves test and was able to do full patterns with only 2 other skaters on the ice!!
Went on to spins and then jumps.... where the loop is coming along!!

Sweltering Heat:
While working on figures and my power threes, I've noticed that my RFO3 is flatter than any Aunt Jemima pancake!!
Spins were quite a battle.
Worked so hard on loop that my back was hurting a bit and it took a LOT of inner strength to work on flip.
Towards the end of freestyle, a official with the hockey tournament came out and did some stroking and stops, etc. The little girl that I was sharing the ice with asked me "is he supposed to be on the ice?"
I told her "Hockey is king here at this rink and there's only two of us, so it's not a issue as long as he stays out of our way" (which he did). I'm willing to bet he wouldn't have ventured out if there were a boatload of kids doing doubles!

Another thing.... I'm so sore this morning between the skating and the lap swimming I do on non-skating days... that I'm taking today off and resting!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

SWELTERING HEAT
For the past week I've kept messing up the timing and pattern of the step-out from my crossovers into the first spiral of my spiral sequence in my program run-throughs. Considering this spiral sequence is worth the same as 3 jumps, I really need to stop messing it up. I also keep missing the axel just before those crossovers into the spiral, even though I nail it in practice just before skating my program. What the. . .?


COOL BREEZES
I skated another 45 minutes yesterday morning after messing up in my program. Even though I wasn't able to skate my program a second time and redeem myself (they don't play music on the 2nd freestyle session), I spent 5 minutes practicing double sals at the very end of the session and landed two clean ones. Considering that I kept landing them cheated for the past month for no apparent reason, this made my day! The only thing I did differently was to curve my RBO edge more immediately preceding the 3-turn entry to the salchow, and voila, clean landings. What an insane sport this is!

These things overshadowed anything technical this week :

Cool Breezes: Last night's public session was relatively uncrowded, beautiful ice, and I spent most of it fighting against a boot that was either too tight or too loose no matter what I did and two footed turns in a counterclockwise circle that refused to work with me. But two little kids on the ice just made my day:

1. A little 3 year old out for his second time on the ice who singled out a few of us adult skaters as his "favorites" and would toddle up to us as best as he could (holding the little sled) to say hi (or plop onto the ice so that we would help him up) or demonstrate the "bad fall" he had when he hit his head on the ice. And whenever his mom asked him if he wanted off of the ice, he would shake his head so hard, he'd end up on his bottom on the ice. You couldn't help but grin when that little smiling face toddled up to you.

2. One of the kids from LTS who came up to me when she saw me working on my spiral and started asking me about how I "got so good"... She's only been skating for a month and I told her how she probably will be so much better than me when she's skated as many months as I have. Next thing I know, she was asking me for help on her backwards wiggles and swizzles and one footed glides and snowplows and I spent the last 40 minutes or so of the public session giving her the same tips that my teachers had give me (my favorite was telling her to pretend that she was a hula dancer for the wiggles... we did a little hula song with the arms... ) She had everything, she just needed someone to explain it to her in a way that helped her put it all together. It was fun just doing all of the basics again and breaking them down! At the end, I had her mom and the mom of another LTS skater impressed by my patience (and I think her mom needed a break!) and willingness to help in a public session where you normally just try to fend for your life and ignore the lower-level skaters around you.

Those two kids took what started out as a frustrating skating session and reminded me of why I love skating-- I walked out of that rink grinning and really greatful for the pure joy of skating.

Sweltering Heat: The rink that I skate apparently doesn't realize that many adults _work_ and (unless they made a mistake in the schedule, which is what one of the teachers suspects) don't have any classes that start after 5 during the week. This will force a few of us to find a new rink (the one that I might go to has classes that I would prefer not take because of the overcrowding of the ice). We're trying to complain, but unless it's a mistake, there's little to no chance that the schedule will change. *sigh* And I really like this rink (well, except for the management, now), too!

Cool Breezes: Skating tomorrow, and it will more than likely be the 2nd to the last session at my summer rink...because my home rink will be opening up on the 5th of September!

And now for a totally SHAMELESS PLUG: for those that may be passing through the area on their way to the shore, skater from my rink will be having a show on our portable, synthetic ice surface at one of our area shopping malls!!! I've seen the show (at our state fair) and it is very nice! I'm not sure if it's going to be the full (30-minutes worth) show but it should be almost the full surface (modified to fit the area of the mall).

see: http://www.skateatthefair.com/ for details on times and the place.

I have yet to skate on this stuff.....

Sweltering Heat: Training on the spinner really BITES!!! I must be really uncoordinated because I can't even make it one way around without falling off.....so much for my grandiose plan of achieving that darn backspin, let along the sit spin . I did find another exercise/stretch for my ultra-tight hamstrings....oh the pain!!! It is slowly working though. Time will tell if it's all worth it ....and still no application for Halloween Classic OR SKATES!!!!! i hate waiting!!!!!

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

Cool Breezes

I took the twins skating and was immediately "flat left", so I worked on spins and MITF. I managed a decent three-turns-on-the line pattern!

Sweltering Heat

Went skating on Friday with Renatele. Struggled with pretty much everything, but I had a wonderful time chatting with friends.

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Yay for you!!! I think my moves have regressed....

I'm sure my first week of skating at my home rink will be all stuggles....AND catching up with those I haven't seen all summer (and I consequently won't get as much skating work done)!!!

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

Sweltering Heat: I had my group lesson yesterday. They were running behind due to hockey and then did LTS without a recut of the ice. My class follows two others so the ice was a total mess! Then I tried to stay for practice after during public but still no cut! Left frustrated after a 15 minute talking to myself. No luck in getting a "tude" adjustment. After such a great skating day on Friday...yesterday seemed a total waste of time.

I went back for the public session last night. Way too crowded to do much. Seemed that no matter what I tried, my body just would not cooperate with my intent! Some adult that was taking pictures of her kids on the ice came rink side to get close. She asserted "Show off" as I was attempting a one foot spin that was not even show worthy! She kept giving me dirty looks as I could see her in my peripheral vision from time to time. I was not in the way of her kids. Egads! how rude! I just ignored her but again had visions of just freezing my own pool this winter! giggle. People....I swear!

I attempted to sign up for the next semester of skate school. I am just continually shocked at the lack of professionalism and organization and was unable to sign up due to disagreement in the staff about the price of two classes I selected. Need to wait until the skate director returns to find out how to do this. In the interim, I have now debated which two classes I should actually take. I just need to commit! lol.

Ok enough whining for now...Hope today's session is better. A new day.

Cool Breezes: Well, I thought I would not have one to post. But, I discovered with a little thought that I did have one pleasing moment at the rink yesterday! (Am I PMSing or what?) I spoke with SpaMama at the rink and she asked me to contact her soon as she would skate an afternoon public skate session so she can try skating! Another adult skater will be infected! Ahhhh, the spread of this disorder is so satisfying! giggle.

Just watched Skate@Delaware's video of an exbitition in January. I feel inspired! Will have to download the others later.

Cool Breezes: I PASSED MY JUVENILE FREESKATE AND FEILDMOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swealtering heat: really need to start working on double lutz for regionals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
SKATING: It's the feeling you get at the end of a hard practice when you pushed yourself to the limit. It's a part of YOU, something you LOVE and HATE. A bond that NO ONE ELSE understands, but that's okay, because every time you get out on the ice it isn't just you; it's all the friends and coaches, all the practices, the pain, the tears, the memories,the laughter, the "off" competitions. It may seem, skating is really a team sport, it's more than just a sport. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE."

Oh, wow, congratulations!

As for us, we had really quite a productive skate this morning. The only real sweltering heat was that I still can't do my back cross-cuts comfortably. And no morning ice next week due to hockey school.

Cool Breezes: The Husband is beginning to realise that he, too, is not really comfortable with backwards stroking, which partly explains why we have some difficulty still. However, we ran though everything to the music today, and didn't do too badly. As always, our Fiesta could have been better, and our free dance is still pretty awful. But they're no worse than they have been, and probably a great deal better than last year. Bristol is a fortnight today.

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

[Cool Breezes: Well, I thought I would not have one to post. But, I discovered with a little thought that I did have one pleasing moment at the rink yesterday! (Am I PMSing or what?) I spoke with SpaMama at the rink and she asked me to contact her soon as she would skate an afternoon public skate session so she can try skating! Another adult skater will be infected! Ahhhh, the spread of this disorder is so satisfying! giggle.

Did I really say that? I guess you have it in writing now huh?

Spa Mama

Well, the rink was packed today and really it wasn't that fun, but I cut my practice time in half (and saved money and frustration that way) and then I had a lesson that turned out to be really good. My salchow is truly back and feeling good; I guess it had a nice vacation. And I practiced pieces of my new program and got some more of it to work. My coach was properly impressed and happy about the progress I've made, and I do think I'll be able to skate this thing pretty soon with all the jumps. Last piece of the program has a half flip with an insane entry. I can do a half flip, but not the way my coach wants me to. We'll see. He's been helping me, holding my hand, but it's way scary. We'll work on it on Wednesday, and I'll try to work on it again myself in practice tomorrow.

So, it started out Sweltering and turned out Cool Breezes. Also got to say hello to Skate@Delaware.

Happy skating everyone!

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August 22, back on the ice!

And, once again, I missed seeing sk8pics salchow!!! Guess I'll have to wait until HC to see it! There was an insane couple on her session....public was a walk in the park compared to her session-no hockey boys!!!! This is one of my last sessions at The Pond for the summer as we get ice on 5 September. Thinking ahead to when I start skating at my home rink-I will miss everyone up north!!!! And I know when I start running through my program...I'm a gonna be in trouble!!! slow, tired, way behind my music....yikes!!! and i forgot how to do the drunken sailor part!!!

Cool Breezes: Pretty much ran through everything and did manage some good height on my waltz jump (I'm nitpicking that one to death). Lisa was there and showed me her way which was basically kneeing it. My was has been swinging the leg through. I tried both ways. Interesting! Waltz 8 was revisited but blades were skidding a bit (dull....).

Hubby and I worked on stuff together and things for our routine. There is a part of our routine where he was supposed to skate via back crossovers to me (around the center) and grab my hand and we both take off doing back crossovers. This did not happen and we switched it to fwd xovers. After many attempts and looks to make the Italian Olympic Ice Dancers look tame, we finally achieved it!!! We have yet to attempt the side-by-side spirals....one thing at a time!

Sweltering Heat: Ok, overall, I'm basically happy with my summer progress as I haven't really regressed too much. I am disappointed that the sit spin and back spin haven't shown up to stay. I did toy with the camel today and was almost in position...briefly...sort of. My salchow was sloppy, a lovely older ice-dancing gentleman told me it was because I wasn't holding my check after the 3-turn. He was right...that darn should kept creeping forward! Urgh!!! Did a few more which were a bit better. Moved on to loops. Managed to do one where I very briefly toe-tapped with the left foot. All the other attempts were all landed fully on the left foot . I think part of the problem is I'm not springing up enough, and i'm not looking over my left shoulder, and i'm not lifting the left leg (duh!). I'm soooo close on this one!

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

EXCELLENT, Twirlgirl!

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Congratulations,TwirlGirl10!!! Way to go!

Sweltering Heat:
We got our 90 degree weather back for a while. Skating is such a great way to keep cool. I got on the ice today and saw a friend of mine visiting with someone new. As I stroked towards them to introduce myself, my legs weren't quite under me yet. As I was slowing down, (yes, I had forgotten I had my blades sharpened and I was about to be abruptly reminded...)I caught an outside edge on a hockey stop, (wierd phenomenon???) tried to correct it by stepping forward on my left foot and fell on my knees then flat on the ice. totally embarrassing!! I see the bruise getting larger on my knee as I am typing this.

Cool Breezes:
After making my grand entrance, I was able to concentrate on scratch spins. 1, Centering them; 2, actually bringing my free leg around forward. I am excited for skating camp to begin this week and I will get a little diagnosis on my loop jumps. It will be fun!

For both Saturday and Sunday, they're pretty much similar...

Sweltering Heat:

• Spirals suck!!! Yes, folks! The easiest of the Silver Moves... and yours truly have a hard time with them!!! I looked at my leg position and I can barely get them to hip level, never mind turn my foot out or make it "well extended." Geez, I have being stiff like this... (Seeing chiro Wed. will as least make the spirals a bit less painful...)
• Couldn't do much jumps. I think I OD'ed on the pilates and cardio! My legs and my lower back just didn't feel like jumping. (I'm going back to my chiro on Wed. again to continue my treatment. (Seems that the fall I had on the stairs about a month ago had something to do with it... well, that and I haven't done jumps in a LOOOONG time and I'm trying to get back into it. (Okay, not totally true on the jumps... I mean I could LAND a waltz-toe, toe loop, and salchow... it's just technique's kinda rusty and sloppy at the moment. Can still do the jump though...) I landed NO FLIPS cleanly today and only one Saturday...

Cool Breezes:

• ... but I did land two loops cleanly though (as in two clean loops a day)... Still, it's out of about 10 actual loop attempts. Seems secondary coach's homework for me is working, but I still gotta keep plugging away at it.
• Spins are there...
• Footwork for Bronze FS program still there
• Bronze Moves are still there.
• Playing around with power pulls. Back power pulls can be better. Then again, I'm afraid to try them w/o learning how to look behind me... Forward power pulls are better by comparison, but I don't think secondary coach would be happy with them.
• Still practicing FI3's and FO3's on the line (ala "alt 3's in Prelim Moves") at the moment.

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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!!!

Thankyou so much for that tip, Mrs R - that made an appreciable difference today...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

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

YAAAAAY, TwirlGirl10!!!!

Sorry I missed your post... I was just quickly getting my post in first before I forgot everything... and given how senile I am...

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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!!!

jazz, you can't be more senile than me.....I'm first!!!! and given that my kids go back to school on wednesday and are driving me CRAZY add that to the basket.....if I didn't have a job I'd be totally gone....

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