Raking piles: For the life of me I can't center any spins. Coach said it looked like I was traveling to China...well in about 2 months that is true, but the rink is not the place to do that. Speed on anything other than waltz jump still freaks me out and things get a little chaotic.

Turning Leaves: Coach wants a 3turn not a mohawk entrance on half flip. The 3turn makes it feel more like a jump but right now it is way less controlled. Coach was impressed with the progress on half lutz, however I still don't turn all the way around, so I guess that makes it a quarter lutz?

Any recommendations about skating/training abroad? (China and/or Spain/Europe) I don't want to lose the progress I have made, although access to a rink will be really limited for about a month.

__________________
~Always Dream!~

Check my progress at www.freewebs.com/sk8tegirl06

Jessi -- sorry about the bruise -- I didn't think your fall was that bad, either.

I fell, too, during the footwork circle. My fall was pretty funny, though, as it was one of those slo-mo "Can you believe she's really falling??" kind of falls. No lingering effects, though.

Raking piles: I can do everything in the synchro program.

Turning leaves: But not up to speed. And, because this is only my third practice, I don't know how many crossovers to get from point A to point B -- although I DO know where point A and B are. I don't believe that I look any WORSE than anyone else at this point, though I may not look too good yet.

And, as alway, there were costume issues. This is the ONLY part of being on my team that really, really frustrates me. It's a COSTUME, not your real clothes. Not every costume will flattter every person on the team, but if it works with the music and looks decent on the majority of the team, I don't care. I'm not tiny and have plenty-o-lumpy-spots (particularly post-partum), but I don't whine about everything we wear!!!!! Yes, the pants are tighter through the legs and bum -- they're an athletic cut pant, fer cryin' out loud! Rant over.

This is exactly what I went home and told DH! I told him we all tried on the pants- and at first thought- not good at all. I bumped up a size b/c the thighs and groin (to put it nicely) were indecently tight- so now the waist is a little big. When our coach asked what we thought I said "I wouldn't buy them to wear jogging, but think they work fine for a costume." And they aren't the most flattering- but I think it will be nicer to have everyone in the same thing, rather than 3/4 in old costume pants and 1/4 in "find the closest thing to this as you can." Now I have to go alter them- they are 6 inches too long! Not to mention, drill team put me in things 1000x worse. I am really excited to see the whole outfit together!

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

Rotting Leaves: In lesson, worked on Sit Spin - not low enough to count as Sit Spin ....

Fall Colours: .... so coach showed me Change-Foot. Ok, need to practice spinning on my left foot but this might work.

A Chill In The Air: Tomorrow, program run-throughs - oh joy .......

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxKW1si1I-U
I filmed today (I went to a public afternoon skating session with a roomie and my best friend, and found a skating friend of mine already there, apparently there's a teacher strike at the college) And I'm not dissapointed. Even the 1-foot I didn't include which *felt* very bad compared to the usual, was better than they were in April.

If anybody has suggestions?

Looking good, Sessy! The difference between the forward upright spins that didn't travel and the one that did travel was how long you held your free leg back. On the one that traveled, you didn't keep it behind you long enough on the entry.

On the change foot spins, you need to change feet before you slow down so much (you are practically stopped by the time you put the other foot down). Without dropping the right hip, point the right toe and put the pick in at around 1:00 in relation to your other foot, with the toe turned in slightly. Without bringing the heel down, pivot into the backspin. Although doing a backspin from a LBI pivot is not easy, it's a fantastic exercise to give you the feeling for this transition.

The camel looks like it's off to a good start, but it looks like you need to bend your knee more on the entrance edge and get your chest lower on the entrance edge (chest pointing down to the ice, but chin pointing up to the walls). I've found that it's easier to get a nice deep entrance edge if I plant my left foot in the ice and then push off onto it, rather than pushing off as I step onto it. You may want to see if that works for you as well.

The sitspin seems to need the most work. You will need to get much lower on your knee on the entrance edge (knee bend at 90 degree angle), extend your free leg out waaaay behind you, arch your lower back and keep it really stiff, keep the free leg back twice as long and make the entrance edge twice as round (you only held it for 1/4 turn). Then, when you bring the free leg to the front, keep your back stiff and arched and keep the leg extended really straight so the force of the leg gives you power. Turn the foot out when the leg reaches 2:00, but let the leg come all the way around until it actually hits the skating leg, then sit down lower into the spin.

The backspin doesn't look bad. Just keep practicing it and it will get better.

It was hard to see the Biellmanns but they looked good to me!!

On the crossovers, try staying a little lower and keeping your feet a little wider apart as you pick up speed. Also, try leaning your head and shoulders a little to the outside of the circle. I think that may help keep you balanced so that you don't pump with the inside leg.

The first "fooling around" spin you did was a catch foot camel, but it works better of you grab the foot with the opposite side hand (left hand). Push the foot up with the blade facing the ceiling, then grab the middle of the blade from above with your left hand and pull up.

Keep up the great work!!!

__________________
"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Ohhhh thanks for the elaborate comments! I'm so gonna print these out and take them with me on ice, thanks!!!

One question: how does one do a pivot? We don't practice them in class. I tried looking a few months ago for pivots on youtube and came up with nothing.
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...loaded=&page=2
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search=Search

Back then it was mentioned for the toeloop and like, like what the guy does in some pair skating pair spins, and I think I got the idea for a toeloop but I don't really get how one would backspin from that?

hmm . . the pivot I was taught in group class involved placing the toepick in the ice and using the other (skating) foot to do a big sweep (half a swizzle!) around it, which will cause you to rotate on the toe pick. Theoretically I think that's what DS does on his change foot spin too (or what he's SUPPOSED to do). Except after the "sweep" you pick up the foot and bring it into front of you for the backspin position (and, I assume, come back off the toepick so you are on the sweet spot for the backspin!).

Hope that makes sense (or that doubletoe comes back soon and gives you a clearer answer!).

Last year, the pros received our costumes the night before the show. I tried mine on right away and the lycra pants fit okay, not too tight. Whew, I thought.

Next day, walking through the parking lot in my costume on the way into the rink, the pants started to slip down. The waistband elastic wasn't strong enough to stand up to the lycra rubbing and pulling. I ended up pinning the pants to my bodysuit to keep the show rated "G".

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After nine hours of driving, four hours of sleeping in the car, three skate adjustments, I ended up at Aviator and had a nice time visiting with DBNY and HelenC.

Raking Piles:
Still getting used to the sharp skates - stopping's an issue, but I practiced all my stops. T-stops are the only reliable ones for quick halts.

Too tired to jump. 'nuff said.

Turning Leaves:
Love the result of all the skate adjustments and fixes I had done. I can easily find my "spin spot" now, my feet don't hurt, and my spirals/footwork are much more controlled.

Spirals were great and not "clunky" at all; spins were good, even the camel spin. Back spins were centered again! yay!

__________________

So jealous!!! I wanted to be there!!! *pout* (Any chance you might be visiting around Christmas time? )

Raking Piles:
Okay! Okay! I will try to get to the rink a bit earlier now to warm up. The temps here these days are so cold that my lower back acts up even when spinning. But it's hard to balance that with my job...or sleep!!!

Spins were sucky b/c my muscles weren't warmed up enough yet. And I'm back into trying to fix that #%*^@ forward spin entry again!!! Gotta do it now!

Ditto for those crossovers too!!! (Bad crossovers... you're goin' DOWN, sucka!!! )

A brief turning Leaf:
I managed a clean loop-loop landing!!!

More Raking Piles:
Too bad it was RIGHT AFTER my lesson. (I came close a couple of times DURING my lesson though. Managed to do one that if I stayed on the landing for the second loop that I would have had it too!!!)

More turning leaves:
Though the loop by itself at speed was pretty decent!!! I managed couple of flips where I actually kicked thru too!!! (Of course I also managed a few that pretty much almost killed my lower back too...OWWWWW!!!! )

Moral of the story: Warm up for 15 minutes before the lesson starts!!!

I am making more progress on the FO-BI bracket exercise that my NYC coach gave me last Christmas. I could only do one seq though. (I'm determined to get this exercise by the time I visit NYC!!! I will!!! )

ETA: Geez, now I'm nervous for doubletoe and I'm not even testing it myself! LOL!!!

__________________
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!!!

Turning Leaves: Probably testing my Intermediate freestyle and the Blues in December, if I work hard enough that is.

Raking Piles: No decent double sals today...sad. Also, just found out that freestyle coach will be gone the next two weeks, so there goes my lessons. She suggested, however, that I hook up with this Russian Olympian coach at our rink for those two weeks to get a different perspective and some tips for that darn double sal. Looking into that...

Turning Leaves: Synchro went well. Our three (yep, three!) exhibition programs are finally starting to come together, which is great considering we skate two of the programs next Wednesday and next Friday.

Raking piles: Took two days off from work because I needed a mental health break.....I like this not working thing, I want to do it more often! Got to skate for free yesterday during an adult class that my coach teaches. Worked more on the camel jump into back sit, forward sit pancake combo. Trying to get at least 5-8 revs in each position. The jump from the camel into the back sit is going wonky on me, after it being perfectly fine all year. The entire combination isn't bad though, so that's good. Also worked on back camel catch, that one needs a lot more work on getting a consistent snap up into the back camel.

Turning leaves: Jumps were only so so. A couple good double loops and a couple decent double sals. Axels were just ok. I can't wait to get back in the harness Sunday, I still can't believe the difference it made in just one day.

I've also been working on getting bigger huge single loops, flips and lutzes....going for those positive GOEs. Why must Gold skaters be under IJS....WHY? Too stressful!

__________________
"Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?"

Nearly didn't skate today but now I'm glad I did since 'turning leaves' : my loop-loop was there consistently even when I tried it from my programme steps. Also landed a few good flips. When I get this jump right is seems so easy - trouble is I don't get it right very often!

Also I'm feeling better about my 4th placing in recent free dance comp having learnt the girl I took one judge off (who came third) passed her level 6 compulsories in 2006. I have level 2 compulsories and level 3 free dance. Also realised the first placed skater was a high level free skater as I suspected, since she has competed at (UK) level 6+ in free, so as a lowly level 1 free skater I don't think there was much chance of doing better really. I was probably about 20 years older than the top 3 as well!

Can't decide whether to keep the dance or have a new one next year but if I do change, I really need some music on a starry theme as I want to keep the lovely dress I made for my free dance. Any ideas welcomed.

In lessons this week I practised elements for level 2 free tests and everything is fine except my 'raking piles'back spin - I hate this spin at the moment although I think when I get it I will love it!

Also in lesson started working on a level 2 variation dance (I think this is peculiar to the UK) which is basically chopping up a canasta tango and adding a variation to it. I can't remember all of the variation yet but 'turning leaves': I think I will be able to do the hard RFI, LBI, RFI twisty thing at speed fairly soon.

Must go and make my 'sexy lady pirate' costume for our Christmas show now!

Raking Leaves: In lesson, finalized last part of choreography with coach and did multiple program run-throughs. Coach thought we were nowhere near ready for competition (Nov. 24) but I knew I “had it” all in my mind and just needed to skate it a few times.

Fall Colours: After a few run-throughs I think coach is much relieved

Raking Leaves: Coach referred to me as a "recreational skater"! MUST correct her! I am a competitive skater I am just an over the hill competitive skater

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

Well I did some bunny hops, let's see how that goes with the ankle.

I noticed about the footage I took yesterday that I was dropping my arms before going into a spin, corrected that, got SO much more speed in my spins now. Downside: I am travelling more this way, although it usually travels back in a circle.

Other than that, one coach was ill and we only had a third of the ice and were told to go do "something else", so it was total chaos and I didn't really get to experiment with doubletoe's great suggestions at all.

The pivot you need for this backspin entry is a left back inside pivot. Left back inside is the edge you are on, so it will be your right toe that is in the ice. You can get onto the LBI edge any way you like. I do it from a very small, gentle LFO 3-turn (exit is on LBI edge, then you stick your right toepick into the ice, straight down). You want to try to use the LBI edge to do a circle around the right toepick, which stays stuck in the ice in one place. As your right hip turns in after half a circle or so, lift the left foot off the ice and get onto the part of your right blade directly behind the toepick, but still including the bottom pick. It will turn it into a backspin. This is not an easy entrance, but once you get it, it will ensure that you can do the forward-back spin transition.

__________________
"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Finalized the choreography for my Bronze FS test. I am having trouble with all of the complicated steps. The jumps and spins are easy. All of the brackets, rockers, and twizzles are throwing me off. Then my coach threw in a Spiral sequence too. It's like he designed this program to highlight every weakness I have. All it needs is a sit spin to really make me look like I suck. I got a month to get it right. Please pray for me!!!



BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

You'll get the test! I just know it. (Work on the sit spin though... and yeah, all coaches design programs to highlight every weakness you have. It's call giving the skater a "challenge!!!" LOL!!!)

How are your jumps now? Knowing you, you probably are on triples now! (The last smiley is for me... I'm still on "Me? An axel? " from last Wed's lesson...)

__________________
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 I'm not on triples just yet although I did over rotate a double flip once into an almost triple. I pulled in Scared me half to death. But that showed me that I have triples that lie dormant waiting for me to tap into them. So that makes me hopeful. First thing's first!!!! I need a Clean double axel.


BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

You'll pass, I know it!

Jazzpants, congrats on the loop-loop! I can't quite get that one yet...not for lack of trying

Raking Piles: Didn't practice this a.m., too cold. Hm I better get over this "too cold" thing and get my rear end to the rink before work cuz I don't live in FL anymore and there are going to be a lot of "too cold" mornings. Also: Will not meet goal of axel by 40th birthday since 40th birthday is Sunday. However...I may be crazy and give it a shot since I am skating that day.

Turning leaves: well I didn't practice so I don't have a turning leaves :-/

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

Ugh...skating today was a whole bunch of raking piles. I made the mistake of donating blood this morning, which meant that I was feeling sluggish and not quite up to speed I feel like I wasted coach's time...didn't get much of anything done....ugh, I hate that feeling....

Well, I'll add a session tomorrow and practice extra hard to make up for it...

Although, a turning leaf is that coach may have figured out why I was having such troubles on my brackets in the field! that made me a little happy after such a crappy lesson. I was leaning toward my toe instead of being toward my heel...

Could you get a dance cut out of Starry Starry Night by Don Maclean?

Sessy the first thing after you had the title fooling around, that's a curly camel.

singerskates

__________________
"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

Yesterday=Thursday
Today=Friday

Turning Leaves: Picked up my asthma medication and allergy pills at doctor's yesterday and asked about getting the flu shot. Got the shot.

Raking Leaves: Yesterday: Sore arm from shot. Today Nauseated stomach from flu shot. For the first hour of club ice, my stomach was so nauseated that I thought it was going to do the volcano. But weirdly enough, the spins didn't bother me. What did bother me were my jump landings! Everytime I landed a jump, I thought Mount St. Helen was going to explode. LOL But of course it didn't. My stomach just needed time to settle down.

Turning Leaves: Today; after the first 45 minutes, I decided to skate with the beginners on the session during group lesson (I normally skip this.). I found out while we were skating RFO edges around the circle while not really forcing the edge, that I was struggling to stay on an outside edge. Same thing happened when we were doing RBO edges on a circle. I was fighting to stay on the edge and could feel my foot inside the boot getting pulled both ways. My heel was being pushed by the implant the Skate Shop had put on top of the heel area inside left of my boot and the ball of foot was twisting to the inside. It's no wonder my right heel was falling asleep inside my right skate and why I couldn't get a proper outside edge on my right foot. The reason why I'm saying that this is "Turning Leaves" is that I found the cause to my pain in my right foot and why I couldn't get my right outside edge without fighting the edge.

Once I fixed the inside of my skate by taking the extra layer place in the left side of my right heel inside my boot, I added some thinner soft padding to the left side of my ball of my foot between the footbed and the skate. I went back onto the ice to try skating in a straight line forwards and back and for once I wasn't turning one way or the other. Then I tried a few RI3s. Perfect 3's for a change. Then I tried some swing rolls and some of my Creative Dance. Much cleaner. I then ventured with a few toe loops and loops. Toes were wow. And loop could have been clean if I didn't bother to look at what was happening on the landing. LOL Free foot just had to play Football = Touch Down for a second. Still much much better than before. I then tried what I haven't been able to do for months; a clean 2/3's of the ice change edge spiral on the right foot, out to inside. Also, I finally got my left freeleg up on the second part of the change edge without putting the leg down also the RO part of the change edge has the freeleg much higher than before.

I'm wondering if I should adjust my left skate too so that I can get a bit more outside edge and not fall inward on my forward spins sometimes. My forward camel just won't stay up because I'm falling to the inside edge too easily and the salchow likes to get too round on take off. Hmmm?

It was then time to leave. Drats!

__________________
"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