Everybody gets practise threads it's just the basic Hot means great things and So Not means it's not working so well.

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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

Hot:
In my lesson Friday we worked on FI Mohawks, which I find difficult as I have very closed hips. I later realized that closed hips make checking the FI Mohawks difficult, and may also affect FO threes. Don't know if it will help me do them, but I feel better about having trouble with them. Sooo, this morning I gave a rather long lesson to a Basic 7 student who has to do both LFI and RFI Mohawks in her program. Every single one I did in teaching her the program was better than any in my own lesson yesterday! I'm calling this the "demo effect", and it seems to be true for anything I have to demo. If I can only hang on to it!

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So Not:
Our weather here in the Windsor/Detroit area; It was rainy, damp and dingy for most of the day today and then when I left church at 9:30 PM after music practice it almost felt like it could snow. Gone are the warm days of summer which, get this, we experienced on Thanks Giving Day (Canadian 1st Monday of Oct.) at 90 degrees F or 32.2 C. What a drastic change!!!

Too many kids on the ice just beginning FS or should I say getting ready for Pre-prelim today. Had to stick to doing elements by themselves and couldn't do a program run through. Thank God that I skate on City Ice/Ticket Ice on Thursdays during the day when the kiddies are in school and the ice is mostly empty. It seems to be one of the only two days I can do a program run through without fear of killing some poor little kid.

Hot:
Waltz/Mazuka/Salchow/Toe Loop
Forward Corkscrew (scratch spin)
Sitspin
Sit/Corkscrew combo spin (haven't done one of those for a few years, felt great)
Toe Loop/Toe Loop (not using this in my freeskate but need it for my Prelim FS elements test)

And the thing I'm most pleased about?.....My Loop. I landed 6 loops today on one foot. It took me a while to get the proper timing before I landed the first one today but it's been since the spring of 2005 when I last landed a loop. The only thing I have to do now is to get my free foot to be better crossed over the skating foot on take-off, in the air and at the beginning of the landing so that I can get a better run out on the landing. Presently I land the loop on one foot and then either I can't hold the landing or I have to hop the landing. I'm hoping next week this will be fixed.

Future Hot Hopes:

I'm hoping because I'm now landing the loop again on one foot that my flip and lutz come back in November.
I'm also hoping my backspin and camel comes back in November so that I can test both my Prelim Elements and Program Part so that I can get working on that Axel and regain my 2 Salchow I had in the spring of 2005.

Just Warm:

Right now it's looking as though I will be competing in Adult Bronze at WOS Boston Pizza (South Windsor Arena in Windsor, ON, Can.), maybe North American Adult Invitationals (Yack Arena in Wyandotte, Michigan, USA) if WOS Boston Pizza has the Adult Events on a day different from NAAI and Adult Canadians so far. Both events are just across the border from each other within less than an hours drive.

If I only get up to my Lutz and no flying spins in my arsinal, I will still be competing Adult Bronze but if I happen to get back a layback spin, pick up a clean Axel, get a Camel/Sit/Broken/change Sit/Back Corkscrew and a Flying Spin then I'll be registering for Adult Silver. But for now Adult Bronze is the plan.

For quite a while I thought I was going no where but now I'm finally regaining elements. I'm so excited!!!!!

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"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

So Not: No skating today, as no ice - coaches rang last night to say the Zamboni was out. Arguably as well, as when I stood on a chair last night to get the clock down to alter it, I jarred something and the place I hurt last weekend has ached ever since. But oh, what a waste of an extra hour in bed!

Hot: I was preaching today, and realised I'd quite accidentally chosen the perfect hymn for skaters:

"Faint was I, and fears possessed me
Bruised was I from many a fall!"

Had a bit of a problem not giggling.....

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

I also have closed hips and struggled with the outside mohawks, but not the forward outside threes. Keep the free foot next to your skating foot on the turn and you shouldn't have a problem checking them. Does require better timing and blade balance though than the scratchy leg-swung 3-turns, but in the end you have 3-turns with much better control.

Hot
Backspin is pretty spinny, and the new exercise for the sit spin is working.

so not
ice was horrible today, looked like they'd not even wiped it after the public session but just threw a few buckets of water on it and that's it.

So Not: I was still in a bit of pain at show practice today and no one remembered the routine; we almost had a collision because of a timing issue...and it was very cold-my toes were frozen! spins were way off! Jumps jarred! Tried doing the power pulls but my body felt alien so I gave up.

Hot: Once I warmed up and got the blood circulating, my backspin was interesting in that...I actually was able to do 2 real backspins with the free foot crossed and everything!!!! Woo! Of course you know it took 5,000 tries to get there. Salchows from the mohawk were decent-didn't think I'd like it but I do!

I only took the muscle relaxer before skating as I didn't want to feel dopey...and I forgot to take my tylenol so of course I was in more pain than I wanted. I only skated 1/2 of the session.

forgot to mention: so not: tried waltz jumps with my arms out...felt weird and it was so hard to remember that little detail! I think I was worried about falling, with my sore back and all so I was very tentative anyway...I only did a few. Yeah, big chicken!!!

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

Hot I skated for an hour today without any foot pain at all! The lesson with syncrho coach went well, and I did a few "good" mohawks. I also got my foot down on the back lunge a few times- but fell over each time I did. The secret to it is apparently to never put the footdown, but keep bending until the boot hits the ice.

Not Really bad ankle today. I think I must have stretch a muscle or a ligament in my landing ankle. If I don't jump it's way better- but the lunges were bothering it.

Talked to my husband about getting new boots- I just am at a loss of what to do. These ones are a year old- and they are definetly too narrow in the front. I can stand to skate in them (it took 5 months to get to that point) but I'm getting a bunion? or some sort of calcium build up on my big toes. You can see it, but it doesn't look gross right now- I don't want to let it get to that point. But I don't really know how to go about getting better boots. I can't move UP in the Jackson line- the competitor is more than enough support- and a split width would be a special order- so if it doesn't work for me I'm stuck. If I don't get Jackson's then I have to drive out of state. That's a huge time thing if I get to a store and can't find something that works. I really really wish there was some pro-shop around here. Or that there was a way to know that just getting a wider toe box would fix it. Then I'd just special order the exact same skates I have, with a wide front.

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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)

I'm talking about FI Mohawks. Keeping the free foot in close does not necessarily check the hips. I actually teach these things myself and, as always, do just fine in demo mode.

Can you try on the same boot in a wider width? That way you can check out the wider toe box. If it feels good, you could then order the split width.

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Skittl, careful with those feet, it's a 1-pair-per-head deal on them.

I'm sorry if I said something wrong, I thought I was quoting somebody else, must've misread something.

Hot: Toe loop and I are now buddies. I attribute this completely to Alexei Yagudin's video. Waltz toe loop was good, salchow pretty good, loop ok (I have to get used to doing those at speed again). Scratch spin is getting really fast and centered. I like my little footwork sequence with the double 3. Did a waltz loop that was technically right but it wasn't huge.

So not: My sit spin! What happened to that? Hey. Come back, sit spin. Backspin - totally lame. Frustrates me to no end. Also so not: next test session isn't until Feb so I won't pass bronze FS until then (and I hope I pass it on the 1st try if I really have to wait that long). Then again, I might not get this backspin until then! Anyway if I have to wait that long then I will test silver moves and bronze FS that day, if that's allowed.

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Revised Official 2010 Goals checklist
Skate __
New boots __
(lowering the bar for 2010 as I haven't skated in a year)

I tried it in a wide before I got the regular- and I only remember that it was so loose I could lace it up and then pull my foot out of the boot. But I think that was more of a heel issue.

The problem is there are no pro shops. My rink, and my coach are Jackson dealers- so they can "size" and order things. I'm assuming if it's "custom" it's not going back- but maybe I can get a wide, and send that back- it will just take more time? I don't know how it works because nothing is kept in stock.

To my knowledge, there are no pro shops in the state. The choices are Omaha, Nebraska; Rochester, Minnesota; or Chicago, Illinois

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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)

Don't know if it will help you but I 'got' the back lunge when someone told me to think about getting your knee to the ice rather than foot/boot. As the leg is extended behind you, thinking about getting your knee to the ice automatically makes you keep the foot up and out of harms way and just makes it easier to get the side of the boot to the ice rather than hitting first with the blade which is not a good idea. Obviously the knee doesn't actually go to the ice - it seems to be just the process of thinking 'knee' rather than foot helps to get the position right. Well it worked for me!

So not.... Got my blades sharpened...and I'm still recovering from a bad sharpening a while ago to get rid of a small dip right behind the toe pick...it will take time and every sharpening helps, but this one threw my spins off at first...hopefully Tuesday will be better. I really don't want to have to get new blades

Jumps were not good today...I was falling all over the place on loops and flips and lutzes don't know what it was...once I got my feet under me they were better...Lutz, as usual was a problem child....

Spins were centered, but I was having a timing issues with my camel, but that is an easy fix. The scratch/back scratch for the pre-juv freestyle test is just awkward...I can't stand it!

Hot! Club had a Halloween event...it was cute to watch the kids in their costumes...and I made cupcakes!

My spins were centered Worked on axels a little bit and I'm getting all the way around, I think I'm even pulling my legs in right...the only problem is my left toe keeps touching down...oops

Moves were good tonight...I am getting really tired of practicing them...I want to take the test and have them be over...back inside double 3s are getting better. I was able to do the back outside brackets, hopefully I will be able to do them for coach on Friday...and I think I have them with the free foot the way coach wants it...hmmmm...maybe.... I told coach last Friday and I just want to freaking do them! Slide chasse pattern was good too.

So not so not so not

Can't get over the stupid mental block. I'm just an emotional wreck. Started crying on the ice at a freestyle yesterday. Everyone was really sweet and all, one of the girls in particular. It is just so frustrating that I can't get myself to jump. I actually had to go on the harness for the axel. I am being ridiculous. I have been landing this jump for years! I have even been working on the double! And now it is messing with my other jumps. Me and five or six other skaters did off-ice with our coach, and I'm hoping that will help. I'll be sure to do off-ice before I skate tomorrow, and hopefully I'll do better. UGH

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Youtube Videos

*HUUUGS*

This is for yesterday because when I came home last night we finally got the schedule from the referee for our competition this weekend and I had to email my share of the competitors their schedule and then it was 11 pm and I had to get up at 4 this morning...

anyhoo...

Not hot - I was late getting on the ice for my adult class and I show up and they are doing the end pattern of the Fiesta Tango. Oh yea I remember my coach showing me that and me thinking "this is a good excersize for me because it works on two things I'm terrible at" - right FI mohawks and shifting and holding my weight for the step in front and then step forward.

Hot - then we did it the other way and it was MUCH easier. Why can't that dance go the other way because I can do it fine that way and the step behind is easier that way for me!

Also hot - at least I get and don't have trouble with the change edge swing roll.

The steps to the Fiesta are a good edge excersize and it's kind of fun turning it around.

Not Hot - the lineup for music the week of a competition. I had my vest on, all posed...the music started --Wait that's not my music -and there's another girl at the other end of the rink with a vest skating. There was a change of monitors just as I handed over my CD and the other girl (not knowing I sas planning to go) handed over her CD - honest mistake. Then I got budged by a coach doing a lesson. Pout Pout Pout.

j

So not: Can I change my screenname to loophater - or loopfearer? Blargh - I keep leaning forward, taking off from the flat and two footing them. Need to go back to square one with this jump, which has no height even when I land on one foot.

Hot: Well, practice today was a good workout, anyway. Nothing was stand out HOT but I'm more comfortable doing programs now.

__________________
Revised Official 2010 Goals checklist
Skate __
New boots __
(lowering the bar for 2010 as I haven't skated in a year)

Not Hot: No protien for breakfast and it does make a difference in my energy level.

Warm Power pulls. I have not worked on these in any lesson but they always come up in power class and I do it two footed and sort of one footed, mostly gliding but today I actually got a little knee action and almost did a few sort of "real" power pulls both forward and backward.

Hot Ran through all my competition programs with music - freestyle, artistic and rhythm blues...feel pretty good about them

Not hot I'm getting so I can do a half way decent one foot spin with the one foot edge entry on it's own but in the program I just rush it too much so I might go ahead and do the two foot pivot entry when I compete the program. At least I can do a bunch of revolutions that way. With the edge entry even when I do it right, I'm lucky to get 3 revolutions.

j

So Not: It's Monday, very tough to wake up. Even my little peke-a-poo who sleeps with me did not want to wake up. Usually the dogs who sleep in the family room hear the alarm go off, but my husband actually had to wake up the mutt and the shih tzu to put them outside!

Hot: The rink was open on time, and everything worked well this morning. My loop is teeny tiny and probably a bit cheated, but it was there this morning.

Been there, done that, read the book, bought the T-shirt.

If it's any consolation, that sort of day usually happens shortly before a mega-breakthrough, so expect great things within the next two weeks!

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

I know EXACTLY what you mean! ((HUG)) I was landing axels consistently 4 years ago and never stopped doing them, but in the past year I've been suddenly having trouble on them and lately I haven't even been able to get myself to do them at all except on the floor or on the harness. And I've tried everything!! We will tackle this thing together, OK? And we will just keep chipping away at it and not giving up until the axel gives in and takes us back! I don't know about you, but it always makes me feel better to watch some of the best skaters in the world miss their jumps in competition. I'm sure it makes them feel the same way when they've had a triple salchow for years and all of a sudden they start falling on it.

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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

If you can carve out the time, it might really be worth it to drive to an out-of-state shop that stocks a few brands. I drove 5 hours to Chicago on a Saturday and was able to try on 3 brands (and they carried a 4th I wasn't interested in). It was the best thing ever. All I could get around here are Riedells, and those don't fit my foot well (even though I wore them all the time as a kid). You could call the stores you want to go to ahead of time and ask what they have in stock in your size and potential widths. The one I went to even had split widths in stock, so I could try them on there. It's also a good idea to make an appointment so you know they'll have time to fit you. It is SO worth it to have skates that actually fit!

ughhh but yes, we can do it! i should come to culver and we can work this out. i kiiiiiinda did one today. i mean, i fell, but at least i got into the right position. gah. idk, my coach and i kinda have the same view that hopefully when i get to competition it'll just happen...

hot
my old coach (who now does hockey and power skating) complimented me on my double loop she said that she could see the lift and snap in it and commented on how high it was

so not
bah had a heart arrhythmia episode today. i don't have them often, but a couple of times a year i go into a tachycardic arrhythmia where my heart rate skyrockets to over 200 and doesn't pump efficiently, so unless i lie down quickly and get my feet above my head, i pass out. well, this happened on the ice. i plopped down and the episode only lasted like 30 seconds (as opposed to 30 minutes), but it was still kinda scary.

STILL not over the freakin axel mental block, but at least i didn't burst into tears...


now just a funny story--I was doing my program with my coach, doing backcrossovers to prep for a double sal. well little julie (a precious 8 year old i've known since she was 2) and I collided, and i tripped over her blade (but she was fine lol). THEN the next time i was doing a run-through, i'm doing my inside spiral, and she just kinda stands there with a deer-in-the-headlights look and doesn't move. i had to like slide on my butt to avoid her. it was too funny. it was after one of those collisions that i had my palpitations, so my/our coach was joking that she gave me a heart attack

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Youtube Videos

Hot:

My run thrus are finally coming together as far as the flow of both the programs is concerned. I'm as ready as I'll ever will be for Skate San Francisco.

So Not:

I'm still going thru a "brain fart" trying to land those loops and flips in the technical FS run thrus. I have no problem doing them in isolation. I have a feeling that I'm still nervous about that speed, But... I did land quite a few loops clean when I came back tonight and did that particular section in isolation. (Alright! I give up! I'll have to accept that the loop and flip will come out in competition when it wants to... )

Also, primary coach changed the ending of my footwork for my artistic. I'm NOT happy about it but he insists. GRRRR!!! (Thin-Ice... just wait 'til you see the ending. It's EMBARASSING!!! ) But he did it with the promise that he will change the ending right after that so that it will be more polished at Adult Nationals. I'll have to trust him on this one. After all, he is "Mr. Michelle Kwan"...

I look forward to getting clobbered... eh, competing with Thin-Ice Friday morning! Too bad I'm not at Adult Nationals. Those vodka nips sure would work wonders for me on the artistic number. I need a LOT of loosening up for this number!

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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!!!