Fighting: Why can't men multi-task? First of all mine thought a Foxtrot was a Waltz (duh!), then in our lesson, if he got the steps right, he got the arms wrong; if he got the arms right, he muddled up the steps! SIGH.

Our free dance is at the stage that I can't do any of it.

Hugging: We spent a long time working on the rocker/bracket combination, and I am beginning to be able to do it, although not yet without clinging on to Husband for grim death. I can almost - almost - do both elements in isolation by myself, though, which is progress!

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

We (coach and I) decided I’d be better off doing my test next time round – it was sprung on us at a bit short notice. But we’re still going to carry on working on the elements. So…

Fighting:
Crossovers – Ahhh!! I learnt a totally new way to do forward ones – you put the free foot on the ice before it crosses over, shift the weight to that foot, and then slide the other one over. They look much better actually – but they’re going to take some work…
My back ones are okay, but I need to remember that when one leg is bend, the other is straight, and to lean the way I’m going. Plus my turn, when I’m going from forward to backwards was a little dodgy – I need to keep my feet together.
Spirals – Ahhh again!! Apparently I do them really weirdly – I’m not getting my upper body down low enough (I have a really, really arched back, and I think that might be why), but my free leg is really high. And my foot is NOT turning out at all. Coach said they’d pass – they’re just really odd lol. I look like a floppy pen ^_^

Hugging Hugging HUGGING!!:
Oooh, and yeah – when I went to practice on Thursday, I worked out the entry to my waltz-jump – and landed it like that – so I can officially say I’ve landed my first jump!! And I’m so proud :]

I have a lesson on Thursday this week, as coach won’t be around Sunday, so not long to wait. I’m looking forward to it :]

Hugging:
-Did lots and lots of program run-throughs. Most of them were pretty good After this week's practices, I should be all ready for the rink show next week!
-Camels felt faster and stronger today.
-Jumps were good. Didn't land any lutzes on one foot, but I think I'm closer to getting it back.
-Did some flip-loops!
-Played around with layback, which was fun.
-Two little girls applauded my sad little salchow.

Fighting:
-Had a few issues with hitting the backspin position in jumps. I finally fixed it near the end of the session.
-Rushed through practicing power circles and double 3s. Didn't practice the cha-cha at all.
-Having a hard time getting the camel-backspin combo in my program consistent.

Fighting: My spins continue to be all over the place. I'll do a really good one followed by a horrible one. It's mostly due do an inconsistent entry. I've always had a problem with that part. I skipped skating today because I was too tired and it's been over a month since I've spent a day at home. My double loop is completely gone.

Hugging: I've only had one truly bad practice in the last couple weeks. Did some real nice axel attempts on saturday. Landed a perfect toe loop right in front of a cute girl

Have you had your blades checked to see if they moved out of position lately? You might have a screw or two loose on the bottom of your skate boots. It happened to Jeffery Buttle once at a competition during the Grand Prix series. He botched his short because of the loose skate blade but then for the freeskate after the warm up when he went back on the ice tried a jump and learned that the blade was loose, so then he got a time out to tighten the loose screw and one the event.

__________________
"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

[Fighting]
Nothing too much...didn't do as good of a program run through as I would have liked tonight...but, beyond that, everything was good...

[Hugging]
Brackets were at least cooperating a little bit tonight...meaning, I didn't fall on my butt while trying to do them CW Power 3's were actually good tonight, which was amazing...I think for me, I need to focus on checking my back arm after the turn...

Jumps were big, spins were good, although, I'm still having issues with the speed on the spins in my program, but as long as I get my revolutions for my test, I'm fine...which is not up to my own standards, but, as long as it passes the test...

I've been working hard for my test next Sunday...quick question, the test is about an hour away on Sunday, and coach is coming...don't know exactly how much she is going to charge (her test fee is only $10, and I am unsure if she is going to charge for gas $$, which she should! Plus, I'm not sure if she has other skaters testing). So, I was thinking that I would get her a gas card (just in case she doesn't charge for gas; if she does, then of course, I will just use the gas card myself...so no loss ), but then I was thinking that she probably spends Sundays with her husband, so it might be nice to get her a gift card to a restaurant...but then I was thinking about splitting the difference and getting her 1/2 the amount in a gas card and 1/2 for a restaurant...what do you all think? I know it's not necessary, but in many ways this is so who I am...

Hugging

Back outside edges from Bronze moves - I was right on pattern, which means my edges were good, but the reflection in the glass told me now that I've got the pattern and edges it's time to work on extension.

3 turns - you know for something I hated - these I think are now my best move - perfectly symetircal half cirlces, turn right on the top, nice little loop. Maybe that means sometime I'll do nice mohawks?

Fighting Mohawks. Slowly, I can do them very nicely. From speed in the dance, I still just freeze up.

Hugging

Power class coach did not show up so we were all just aimlessly skating around until I noticed we were all dancers so I put the dance CD on and we started with the Dtuch Waltz doing dances. Until we got past the Fiesta and I don't know any dances higher than that and the higher level dancers couldn't remember any other dances besides the 14 step.

Then we put on our dance number for the show - some of us are doing the Swing and others the Rocker Foxtrot to "Ku-u-I-Poh" by Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii. DD is choreographing and she was showing us how she changed one end pattern since there will be a curtain taking up a big chunk of the end.

Fighting I really am doubting that I should have signed up for the dance number. I won't be able to do that mohawk by our first practice in April and I'm afraid I'm just going to get in anyone's way. DD told me to just do a two foot turn.

ANd then remind myself of how people who didn't know the Swing thought I looked really good when I screwed it up in competition. And I can do Swing Rolls and chassess fast enough not to get run over. So just keep my head up and I should be okay.

j

Ask the coach if she's going to charge a "coaching fee" for your test session. Ask now, unless she's already said "No Charge."

If there's no charge and you want to give her a gift, get a Visa Gift card - check the sunday circulars; sometimes Genovese or OfficeMax sell them with a "discount" or "rebate" that covers the issuance fee. Then, your coach can spend it on whatever she wants and it's not tied to a certain vendor.

(This

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Fighting: Got to the rink with a SPLITTING headache, every time my hear rate went up, my head would pound. Spent some time trying to track down pain reliever and a decent drink (the water machine wouldn't take my dollar and the drinking fountain was filled with Mountain Dew, gross! I ended up putting my guards on and tromping across the food court.)

Hugging: Had fun skating with Jessi. !/2 toe was jumping and from more speed. 1/2 lutz disappeared.

Fighting: Took power class with Jessi, though every time I started moving, my heartrate went up and my head was pounding, so I worked on form and extension.

Hugging: Managed one-foot power pulls foreward on left foot (I had been two-footing as I'm a chicken weenie and didn't want to try on one foot). Not a whole lot of power, but the timing felt pretty good. Same with back, though I was tapping down my free foot on the edge change. Chasses felt good, worked on quickness with free foot and extension on the push. Forward swing rolls had good timing, but I can really tell I need a sharpening as I was fighting to stay on the edge after the roll.

Group lesson: Was pretty much a hugging lesson. My headache had mostly subsided. Worked edges first, forward are in good shape, backwards are still suffering from my post-partum lack of core strength. And I need to back off on the pushed a little so that I'm more comfortable getting myself onto one foot.

And then, FINALLY, some improvement in my spins. As in I could feel the speed increasing as I pulled in and I managed NOT to bail as I got faster. I'm oh-so-close to crossing my feet -- maybe next week??? These have improved the last three weeks in a row, so that's my plan! They were all nice and centered, too. We had a sub for class and she complimented the centering and placement on my blade. And, like my coach, said to back off a bit on the power getting into the spin until I'm a little more comfortable, then slowly add it back in and I'll be able to "spin for days". Yes, that was the quote, LOL! She said that a spin that good will hold up when I add the power back in and I should expect to have a "lovely, long scratch spin" in my future.

Although, my future could last for another 50 years, LOL...

And, oh! I played my music for Jessi and another coach and they both thought it was a great cut for me, yay! I'd love to just pick music for people...

Fighting: Though it was a day off work for me I made the 2 hour round trip to skate in the city .... only 10 skating days (max) to Nationals and some elements REALLY need work!

Since it has warmed up from the -30s to a balmy -15C I decided it’s time I started skating in a dress (since both my programs will be in a dress). I should have put on TWO pairs of tights ‘cause it was still pretty chilly with only one pair - BURR - not to mention “drafty” in certain positions, drafty in places that shouldn’t ought to be drafty!

(There was only one other skater and one coach on the ice this morning so it was a wonderful session! I am SO spoiled! How am I ever going to move back to “regular sessions” next year??? If there are more than 6 skaters, I think it’s “crowded”!!! Somehow my backyard rink is going to have to expand to NHL size!)

My gawd were the ol’ pins wobbly today! Couldn’t hold a spiral for the life of me. Spins weren’t fully recovered from my ear infection


Hugging: I hit one or two Upright spins that held together for about 4 rotations and were relatively quick - the rest fell seriously apart after 1 or 2 revs.

Some Waltz jumps were strong and solid and a couple of the Toe Loops were more graceful - the rest I think I looked like a bullfrog that had been thrown like a frisbee! I think I managed to land 2 or 3 clean Toe Loops but they could definitely use more confidence!

Reverse direction (CCW) footwork showed a little progress but some of the CW footwork was trucking right along.

Definitely need to continue practicing footwork, Toe Loop, and CoE spirals! (And definitely TWO pair of tights for tomorrow!)

(Funny but my posts seem to be getting longer as the deadline approaches )

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

These are what are known as runs here in the UK, or progressives in the USA! They are not easy to learn, but much more powerful once you have mastered them.

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

ALL Fighting....

Well, the spirit was willing, but the body was fightin' me all the way!!! (Alright, I have my excuse too... Auntie has arrived and joined in on the "periodization" excuse!!! Pun intended. I know... BOOOOO....BAD!!! ) I had no energy going into my morning FS practice session (I'm not a morning person, DUH!!!), my lower back was nagging me again and I fought thru EVERYTHING on my technical program. Yes, double run-thrus too!!!

Also interesting... I guess it's a good thing... I am now skating AHEAD of my technical programs. I'm usually end AFTER the music stops. Hmmmm? (I know... that's the point of me going into the FS sessions for my "periodization"... to finally get something consistent and set it on auto-pilot!!!)

A couple of hugs...
I did land my loop-loops on both runthrus!!! And landed my flip on the SECOND runthru!!!

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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!!!

Fighting: Found out last night that the test I've been counting on taking. . . well, coach says "You're not ready." Grrrrr!! I was pretty peeved, seeing as I was going to take this idiot test (PB moves) a year ago, before I broke my ankle, and the idea that I've regressed isn't terribly appealing. . . However, I was sick for 2 weeks, and the test is in another 2 weeks. . .

Hugging: However, coach agreed to let me start working on something NEW. Because I am so, so, so thoroughly bored with PB moves (probably one reason I wasn't skating two of the patterns very well last lesson) and I think I might shoot myself if I have to keep working on them right now. So. . . on to some Bronze moves for the moment. Hooray!! Wondering also if I should nudge coach about putting together a footwork program--I have some funky music that I'd like to use and a dress I want to make. . . .
-Also hugging: We had a good synchro practice despite having to restructure the routine due to two people who'll be missing for the next comp. It used to be that we'd be totally confused and couldn't even get halfway through our program without totally falling apart when one or two people were missing.
But fighting: One person will be missing because she's had to go back on chemo for lymphoma. (welcoming your prayers, kind thoughts, etc for remission for her)

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"Go wash an elephant if you wanna do something big." -Baby Gramps

I asked how much I was going to owe her....only $10....which just seems so low to me....especially for an out of town test session....I called my mom saying that it just seemed so low, and my mom said that I probably feel that way because I get along with coach and unlike others, I don't feel like she is over selling herself....

I have a week to decide what I'm going to do....

So I'm finaly healthy again and wanted to go skating. Drove to my club's rink because last week they had so called public skating for figure skaters but (fighting) it turned out to be real public skating. Just skating around in circles, no jumps or spins and lots of kids on the ice because of March Break which I like to call March Mess. Called all over the county to find out if there was any ticket ice available. Na da, none, nothing doing.

Then during one of the calls to a rink in the town where I live but my skating club is not (Hug), a coach who is a friend of mine told me that there's city ice (ticket ice) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday where she does her day gig.

Tuesday, I'm travelling to Toronto for the day for my daughter's job interview which means I'll miss Tuesday's city ice (fighting). But I'm bringing my skates with me to Toronto and I might be able to find some ticket ice between 4 PM and 7 PM (small hug).

__________________
"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

The blades are OK. I think the problem is related to the way the boots break in/down. When I first get them they are straight up and down. As they break in the tops of the boots start to bend outwards from each other. I've always suspected that this changes the dynamics enough that it screws me up. Spins are the most finicky of the skating elements.

Speaking of such, my coach can do a pretty good axel in boots that have the blades held on by duct tape.

Kevin

Fighting:
my feet hurt ! I've had my Graf Galaxies for maybe 2 years and they have had it. They're letting me down if I get a landing a bit wrong, and my feet hurt to walk today, really painful. My blades are so bad there's a dip where the spinning point should be. Coach wanted to look at them cos she couldn't figure out why I couldn't get on the right part of the blade for backspins.

Backspins. Still but they are getting better.

Back camel? what back camel? Oh, you mean that one that was working great 2 weeks ago, with better position than my forward camel? Now where did that go?

lutzes = flutzes. I can land these, but change edge at the last minute. Pity, cos they actually feel really cool with that counter rotation feeling, and I'm enjoying them a lot more than when I could do them properly over 20+ years ago.

Hugs:

some pretty good jumps over the weeked, last night I was consistently and comfortably putting a loop on the end of everything including loops, (but excluding my flutzes.)

My new Proflexes are due at the end of this month. ( Now just have to work on actually having the money to pay for them ) Something to look forward to.

I'm feeling pretty pleased with my skating at the moment. That's at this moment, anyway.

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Karen

I skate - therefore I am

Oh you're going to LOVE 'EM! Figure on about a month to build up a couple of muscles you haven't been using (you will find the ones I am talking about when you do a spiral ) and then you will LOVE the range of motion, particularly for things like a sit spin! (And get used to hearing your coach yell "POINT YOUR TOE!" 'cause you CAN in ProFlex!)

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

Hugging: We have a free dance! It is choreographed and we have done it to the music.

I can nearly do the rocker/bracket bit without a partner, although not, of course, while moving.

Fighting: Our free dance is totally cr*p at the moment, but that, I suppose, is a fault that time will cure.

We did a Dutch waltz and coach1 pointed out at least 3 places where we were anticipating. Or rather, where I was. Sigh....

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

fighting: normaly reliable sit spin that deserted me for test last week was still missing (I did eke out the revs but it was tough going in the test!) for most of session. No lesson as coach is away.

hugging: Finally managed decent sit spin just before getting off. Backspin no worse than in test. Did a couple of great Flip-loop combos til I got over-excited about them and lost them again.

Fighting: Had to make 3 pit stops on the way to the rink this morning (a side effect of the strong antibiotic I am on for the sinus/ear infection) and by the time I got on the ice my energy was just completely drained (along with everything else).

Despite hardly having enough strength to hold myself up the Toe Loops are coming - actually landed a few clean! - Waltz jumps are about 75% solid and my upright spins are coming back ( ). Amazing, considering the condition I was in!

Hugging: One of our new Nationals competitors for this year (who has been joining us at my home rink occasionally) is in the medical field and gave me some tips to allay the side effects of the antibiotics. When she was questioning her sanity for entering Nationals I started telling her about the "atmosphere" and the spirit at C.A.N. and promising that she will have a wonderful time and she will do fine ..... good time for a "pep talk" - I needed one myself! It reminded me what it's all about - go, participate, and do your best with what you got and share in the spirit. Ok, so I go with my two programs, skate them the best I can, and just have a good time!

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

Hugging - new boots just about broken in. My spin is the last thing to come back though. It is improving, I can spin now, its just not centered, or if it is centered, it is not too many revs - like 4-6 instead of 8-10. But it is getting better every day. Jumps and moves are pretty much back to how I could do them before my new skates.

Fighting - embarrasing off-ice injury that may keep me off the ice for a few days. Fell and hit the toilet (yeah, don't start) with my back/ribs. I don't think anything is broken, but it hurts like heck to use those back muscles. Dang!!!!!

Hugging - passed ISI Freestyle 1. It was totally unexpected, (a) because I didn't expect to pass yet, and (b) because the teacher pulled the old "why don't you just run through it to the music and we'll see what it looks like" trick so I didn't know she was evaluating it as a test!

Things that helped were (i) the jump warmups you-all helped me to develop several months ago; (ii) forcing myself to practice the jumps even though they're my least favourite element; (iii) walking through the program mentally and physically off-ice, thinking about the transitions and arm positions; and (iv) (perhaps most important for actually pulling all the pieces together in one performance?) pasting a smile to my face at the start and not letting it leave.

On to FS2 and one-foot spins. Oh joy.

Gotta watch out for those vicious commodes! (Sorry, I am NOT laughing, honest!)

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

Monday Night

I'm sick so I only stayed for 1/2 an hour. I didn't do much but I did skate really slowly because my legs were all shaky from not standing for 4days!

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2014 and 2018 Olympics here I come!

Skating, skating all day long, skating, skating all night long! May seem tiring to some people but not me, it's my life!!

Goals: Triple Loop, Novice Competitive, Sr.Silver Dances, Gold Artistic, and top 3 at Sectionals