Heat Wave: Discovered the main reason my tailbone hurts is wearing jeans - yesterday I wore a skirt and it was fine, today, going down to the rink in my jeans, it was really sore! Once I got into practice-kit it was okay again! So now I am home, I've changed into softer trousers!

On the ice, had a good run-through of my free dance with Husband. We have made a couple more changes.... does anybody ever have a programme that doesn't change from one practice to the next? We also had an opportunity to do a Golden Skaters' waltz when the Junior couples were practising their Westminster (it is the same music).

Cold Spell: Didn't get a chance to do the Riverside Rhumba, either with or without the music. Didn't do very much once Husband had left. Although I did work on various dance moves. My cross-cuts are still awful, but the cross-behinds are getting better each time I practice them. Worked on the level 4 3-turn sequence, but am having trouble knowing when to shift my weight. A friend, who was watching, told me I was rushing too much.... sounds familiar?

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

Heat Wave (I would love a heat wave, it's freezing here but not so cold that we have enough decent snow for skiing)
Tried a new stroking/dance class on Wed. Some good stroking practice for me. Skated into public session afterwards and had a ball.

Cool Spell
Dance class involved a lot of arm movements and coordination, which has always been a deficit of mine! Coaches Comment: "You look like you're swimming!"

Very Cold Spell
Got to rink for my favourite session of the week - Fri afternoon and they'd cancelled it for hockey without telling anyone. I was furious.
Went for my first run in a while and it looks like I may be getting over my shin splints, cross fingers.

Have to wait til Tues now for my next skating fix.

Heat wave (in our midwinter, that has to be good) - at last, an "aha" moment. They've been few and far between the past few months, while I've been trying to master back cross-rolls and get the timing right (among other things, like holding the edge and pointing the toe and ... you get the drift). My coach told me last night that the correct count is not "behind, behind, behind", but rather "push (off with the other foot), push, push". This changed the emphasis in the timing and eureka, I had my "aha" moment.

Icy spell - definitely icy. Two days ago saw me fall (from a virtual standstill, doing nothing much at all) backwards onto the bony part of the hip. Where were the hip pads I never wear? In my skate bag of course. I spent some time sitting on an ice pack (to the amusement of my friends), then sat on another ice pack for an hour that night. It helped. A little. The bruise coming out is colourful to say the least, and somewhat larger than the palm of my hand. I can't wait for the whole bruise to appear, because then it'll stop hurting. That's the theory anyway.

Heat Wave: Besides the temp in the rink, which was not a good thing since the ice was soft and it took the Zam guy extra time to resurface after the hockey group before club ice? Skatingwise for me everything was good. It was another hot spin night - camel worked, sit was fast and centered and I was averaging 6 revs on backspins with most of the spin on the right part of the blade.

Jumps were pretty good too, although I'm still two-footing that darned Flip! It's so irritating!

We spent most of the lesson on footwork and spirals, because the ssion wasn't crowded and I didn't have to keep watching out for little kids so I could concentrate on what I was doing. Change edge spiral is getting really big.

All in all, a good lesson.

Cold spell: besides the flip, not much. I'm having some trouble with my left boot - there's a spot in the heel that's pressing on my Achilles tendon right above my heelbone - and last night it was really painful. I have to call my skate guy today and see if there's anything he can do. If not, then I'm going to have to forget pointing my toes on that side.

Heat Wave: Only 2-3 sessions left before home rink opens (you can tell me to shut up now). Had a nice session yesterday (Thursday) that almost didn't happen as they couldn't find the key to the zamboni. Worked on some 3-turns, crossovers (sort-of fast), spirals, did a few back spirals, and then waltz jumps (which rocked). Tried a few backspins but only got 1/2 revolution (ha ha ha).

Cold Spell: spins, where are you????? I forgot to bring my camera so no video proof that they suck, so no video analysis from you guys I didn't hunch my shoulders, didn't look down, bent deep, stepped out with my foot pointed out and still no dice!

Even my daughter was stumped and she's usually my harshest critic...
Today, I did look at video taken last fall during classes of jumps and spins and I have improved overall, although Thursday my spins weren't even as good as they were last fall (the entry has improved and overall stiffness is not as severe now).

PS-I was thinking before about changing my blades from Coronation Comets (which I still love) to Coronation Aces because my spins have disappeared all summer. However, I have decided to wait until I've been back at my home rink and have been back in lessons and had some coaching sessions. I probably have been slipping in some bad technique that we have not noticed. And the ice at my home rink is softer than my current "host" rink so spinning and jumping is somehow easier at home. Plus I don't really want to spend $$ on blades right now, I'm saving $$ for other things, coaching sessions, test sessions, son needs braces, van needs A/C job, etc.

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

ALL COOL SPELL!!!

Well, I'm definitely NOT gonna test in Sept!!! Good thing I didn't turn in my paperwork yet!!!

I was stressed this week b/c we have a HUGE number of skaters in the FS session b/c it's summer and the competitive skating season is happening and all. (Never mind my car problems and finances and all...)

Added to that, I'm still dealing with a good handful of issues that needs to be fixed if I'm every gonna feel comfortable at testing the Bronze moves. I got the sense at that point when my primary coach says "Test in Sept and see what happens anyway!" that my coach wants to see where I'm at on the moves again. But I've put my foot down and said I don't want to test 'til I'm ready! PERIOD!!!

I already have the laundry list of things I need to work on too based on feedback from previous lessons. (No hopping on the FI mohawk, Stronger BI edges on the alt back crossovers, back XOvers on the end patterns (my current #1 nemesis), better timing and extension on the 5 step mohawks and BO edge on the back crossovers to BO edge move, power 3's on one side needs to be faster on one side and less "wild" (swingy) on the other.)

I'll wait and see what happens once school starts again and I could get in some much quieter sessions again. I may tape myself soon to get a sense of where I am... so I'll know whether I'm close enough to test or not.

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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!!!

Heat Wave: I think I can confidently say that my flips are now consistent! Some are better than others, but I only bail maybe 1 out of 8 attempts. The attempts I don't bail on are always one-footed, so I'm satisfied! Toe-loops feel great, and sals feel good, too. And, drumrolllll....I had a good backspin day! *faints* I've stopped rolling to the inside edge, and am getting a few centered revolutions. I chicken out a bit when I start to pull in, but that will come...my biggest obstacle was trying to stay backwards instead of always falling forwards.

Cool Spell: Lots of little ones on the ice last night, which made it hard to do a lot of jumps (older kids are better at getting out of the way and watching for others). Didn't do any lutzes, because my set-up takes up too much ice and there was no way I could dodge that many people! Had kind of a crappy forward spin day. Waltz's felt off, too. No more skating till Monday now!

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~No thinking, breathing, or hesitation!~

Cool spell:

I have an injury so am afraid to do anything that I might possibly fall down on, which is most everything because I skate all out and falling is just part of that. Soo.... we did dance again. Not dance patterns, but stroking in holds, progressives in hold, chassees in hold, oh they're so fun in waltz hold when we get off on the wrong feet, and a nifty little exercise, crosscut, chassee, hoooolllldddd, push, around the circle. I quickly realized that my basic dance skills (ahem) need lots of work and I've let my conditioning lapse over the summer. So, yet another humbling moment courtesy of figure skating.

Heat wave:

My son (of all people!) complimented me on my spirals, said they've gotten better. I must remember to take him to publics with me more often.

cool spell:hmm probably the fact i can't do dance or skills, dance becasue my coach is working and skills becasue i wasn't allowed to sign up for it becasue my parents don't understand what it is hehe

heat wave: ohhh soooo great was working today on everyhing and i just didn't feel comfortable jumping and spinning then i my lesson and i land my axel on one foot albeit i cheated a lil but still i have been working on it forever and like always put my foot down on the landing and then i did my flip double loop combo and stuck the double loop landing and i started the combo 2 days ago soo crazy. then my double salchow i landed on one foot yay although it was an ugly landing like my knee bent almost down to the ice but hey i landed it. so i was happy today oh ya the thing that made this all great was my parents actually saw me do it now they know what im doing

I know that feeling - just you wait and see, next week, everything will suddenly come together and your papers will go in, no question! It's what's known as "The darkest hour is just before dawn"... skating, I've found, is Like That. I'm at that stage now, pre-competition.... hoping to goodness it will all come together on the day, which isn't for another fortnight.... but not much ice the week before it. Oh well....

But I'm quite sure that next week you'll be posting that it's all fine. We need you to take that test - you are going to Dallas next April, no?

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

That has to be the most bizarre cure I have heard of yet!! but strangely does make sense.

Take care Annabel
Cheers
Grace

Hot Hot Hot

1. Yes! That definetely was a toe loop. 3 of them in a row, to be exact; the forth one ended on my right bum cheek that still hurts from one of earlier falls, so I decided I had enough fun for the first try.

2. Passed my Skate UK Star Bronze test. This is a "liner" programme between Learn to Skate and first standard test.

Chill Pill

Couldn't get a good grip of BO 3-turns that Marina (my coach) have shown me today. Keep loosing balance after the turn. Rrrr....

1st attempt at spins with "proper" entry. End up all over the place, but by the end of sessions eventually got some consistence and even managed a 1 meek rotation. I usually keep this stunts to public sessions where I don't look like a total rookie. Lots of work for tomorrow.

Can't find a music piece for my first programme! Don't want anything too slow and lyrical, but at the same time not sure if I can yet skate to my favourite piece from "Chicago". Maybe someone has any ideas what a good beginner's music might be?

Heat wave
Landed double salchow twice and it wasnt a... how did I land this double salchow it was a I know what is going on double salchow
Landed plenty of axels, although technique must be off since I cant seem to land it on wet ice... and by the time the ice dries I'm landing it but not sure if its because the ice is dry or if after a few tries I actually do it better
Still working on double toe... I think I got the idea right this time lol... hope its the one thats going to work... at least I dont slip off my picking toe anymore with the way I am doing it now
Flying camel is wonderful.

Cool spell
Flying sit was better last week, but I fell on my left lower leg and it hurt to jump and land on it so it wasnt as good this week.
Layback is the same same same, I cant seem to get it lower... so frustrating.
I think my lutzes are flutzing away like crazy.

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~
Tidesong

Heatwave:

Had a good moves session today at my weekend rink.

The cutsie group number where I have to wear this bright red dress for the Fire & Ice show is completed and the cement is hardening.

Cool Spell:

I'm subbing for an injured friend today on another group number. Sad that I wasn't chosen for the number, but I am an understudy in case she doesn't heal in time for the show. (It's okay though. I really should concentrate on Bronze moves...)

My moves practice session was too short!!! I had an appt. with a car dealer... 50 miles away from the weekend skating rink!!!

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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!!!

Well done, Sceptique! Some of those "Star" skills can be harder than Level 1 Bronze.....

Cold spell: Penultimate couples lesson (unless I can squeeze one in one teatime) before the Scottish championships. I do wish I felt more ready! Our free dance feels awful just now, although we did do one reasonable run-through in our lesson. Lifts went pear-shaped, even the chassé before the lift wasn't quite right.... At least we have ice next week!

And I still can't do back cross-strokes to save my life.... I wish my body understood what to do. And doing the continuous 3-turn exercise from level 4, I can't find where to change my weight. Sigh.....

Heat wave: We didn't do anything with our compulsory dances in our lesson, but the Junior couples are working on their Westminster before squad camp, so we were able to do the Golden Skaters' Waltz to the music, and felt we did it fairly well. But I kept having to force myself more upright, I don't know why I can't stay that way automatically. We did a good Riverside Rhumba, even if not to the music.

My back cross-rolls are improving! Not good, but they are beginning to have more flow than they did.

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

Oh why do we look at videos? We've just looked at the videos of ourselves at the Mountain Cup and of me doing my Interpretive at a couple of competitions in this country. Right now, I feel like withdrawing from all of the competitions I have lined up....

All the same, we are better than last year - but oh, the amount there is to correct! I don't dare watch the video of the US pre-Bronze dancers doing the Fiesta Tango and Willow Waltz at Adult Nationals - they were so much better than we are.... how depressing is that! Oh drats, Husband wants to see it.....

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

Because we like to torture ourselves!!! I occasionally pull out the video from jump & spin class from last year....it's awful! Good for a laugh! I'm so stiff and not bendy and my waltz jump hardly clears the ice.....
Of course, I'm taking video next Sunday of some jumps and spins.....I'm due for some more torture....

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

This for the remainder of the week, since my last post on Monday.

Tuesday:
Had lesson with primary coach, where the first question was "Do you have your CD for Interpretive with you?". To make a long story short, I've decided to do a program that was my mother's favorite for Interpretive at Peach and the program music was on cassette. Two weeks ago, the tape player at the rink got a little hungry and ate the sole copy of this program, thus Coach having to re-cut the music. Went to give the CD to secondary coach last Tuesday and opened it to find no CD, just the case. So, I finally got it right this time.
We worked on a five minute competition warmup for the freeskate, then did the program, where everything happened but the ending backscratch. So, coach and I worked on that segment over and over and over, as well as backscratches by themselves.
Then went on to moves, where we worked on the 5 step mohawk- was told for the upteenth time to extend longer in order to get on a edge!

Thursday:
Had lesson with secondary coach. Did a near perfect runthrough of the free, missing the backscratch again! . Then listened to the re-cut version of my Interp program. While it was a little different, I made the choreography work and added some transition movements to the program. Had 5 minutes remaining in lesson afterward where we worked on the aggrivating backscratch!

Saturday:
My home rink doesn't offer freestyle on Saturdays, but a rink 45 minutes away does, so I went there yesterday morning. The rink had a training camp with Johnny Weir and Melissa Gregory and Dennis Petukhov this week as well as a show on Friday night, so I thought that the freestyles would be quiet. Wrong! I walked in and saw Melissa and Dennis giving lessons,and well I figured I'd met enough big wigs in skating, so I set to work right away.
Just being on the ice with them was cool enough for me and no folks, I did not get autographs or pictures and there was no sighting of J.We.

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

Uh, I'm not sure whether this is a Heat Wave or a Cool Spell, maybe a bit of both... My coach liked my music cut for my new interpretive program and we started working on it today. Yikes, it is going to be hard! We just played with some footwork possibilities. Mostly it consisted of him saying, "Can you do this?" and me trying, not too badly all things considered. Kind of like the verizon commercial where they guy says, "Can you hear me now?" over and over. Anyway at some of it I was all and other parts were more as I would think I had done it right and he'd say, "Almost!" sigh. Actually one part was fun with some tappy things and arm-flinging although I can't remember it exactly now. He wants to finish choreogrpahing it in about a month, but we'll aim for the Ashburn competition for its debut, rather than Halloween Classic, because it's just going to be too challenging!

Happy skating everyone,
Pat

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August 22, back on the ice!