Totally OT but I was reading a book I checked out from the library today and Agnes, did you know that you're a fictional character??
(I feel like Thursday Next!)

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You miss 100% of the shots you never take.--Wayne Gretzky

I used to have a friend called Agnes. Also there's a saint by that name - I think the name comes from the latin name for lamb.

I wish I could make it all go away! for you
--
I don't have 'lingering'-pains, nor numbness; but my mind played other tricks,
like
Refusing, to let me pay-Attention, Concentrate, or Focus; just to teach me a lesson
& Refusing to Focus:
thru 1-eye the ice-surface seemed less than 2 feet beneath my nose;
while thru the other eye, I seemed to be suspended from the ceiling, or some other bizarre differences.
Initially, I got dizzy as I was totally dis-oriented. - BUT I stuck with it, and after YEARS, those health-challenges microscopically resolved themselves, THANK God!
so,
just last year (like I said), I started being able to concentrate... on what I am FEELing... as I skate. Imagine that!

You jump (& LAND) on numb?? feet; that's amazing!!
and
Maybe giving yourself some more resources/time to completely heal... what do you think?

Like for Sessy, I will pray for, & send you healing... Intentions, too!
.

Hi, is it "Debby?"
Thanks! - as I am forever asking, "shouldn't I bend my knees more?" , and
skating friends at our rink respond "Actually you're doing well, with this "

Doing anything, while only standing-STILL on ice, ain't that a bit dangerous?
but yes, years ago I started-out that way

ok, but if your feet are that far apart, and NO-speed, how will you Balance?? - just asking.
so
when we did it, we placed the foot right next to the other one, crossed over.

Forgive me, I realize I forgot to mention at the outset:
that as a Natural-leftie, it's much easier for me to start... practicing CW; and
then ccw is like "we have left!! the known... universe" lol

ok, I don't get this: how can a skater cross-over, without?? BENDING BOTH knees -
It seems to me, that the Crossing-foot would bang-into the Skating-foot, no? - and cause the skater to fall, no?

Forgive me, if I mis-understood. And THANKS so much for graciously giving of your time!

Annie

Agnes Nitt--"the fat girl with the thin one inside--named Perdita" Although I have lost 13.2 lbs and am down to a size 12 skirt (and not one of those fluffybutt skirts, but a real pencil skirt).

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Great forum quotes:
On Falling: '...it doesn't matter, it's what you do AFTER you fall that's more important' ISK8NYC

These are VERY GOOD exercises, and I still do them to GET MY WEIGHT JUST RIGHT and to help me "recover"
Thank you so much! It has been my left leg which was numb (now my foot is only numb occasionally) and that is my propelling foot. My landing foot/leg is ok. Had it been the other way around, no way would I have been jumping!

OTOH, it has been my spinning leg and it severely impacted my spins BUT the silver lining has been it has FORCED me to (thru no choice) work on backspins (yes, there is an evil dark force in the universe and when I find it I will toe-pick it in the shins)
YOU GO GIRL!!!! Pencil skirts are so much sexier anyway.....

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

Hi Doubletoe,
ok, I tried to practice this in this morning's practice, and
I guess I'm either doing that already, or I'm not ready yet, I'm not sure which.

This I am beginning to do more... guess it's the same ole *confidence*-issue, Thanks!

Yes, I had a copy of this picture already; &ha-ha, he-he, this is a hoot , as I'm about 1/2-way down there, like a SPEED-skater normally <-- I know what I'm supposed to be doing posture-wise, but not until I get comfy, do I actually manage to STRAIGHTEN-UP especially by LOOKing-UP!!! LOL

ok, so today (only practicing my favorite-side=CW) I paid closer-attention, to 'weight-TRANSFER'; and the good thing that did, was (instead of being anxious about crossing-over), I was just Focused on the weight-TRANSFER <-- isn't it a hoot how we manage to fool ourselves, & get right past some (perceived) challenge. - I'm laughing as I type this, lol

ok, I haven't quite gotten to the point, where I can keep my under-foot laying sideways like that; nor do I really get it off the ice, until the last minute before I bring it back into position next to the right leg and push off onto it, then do another crossover.

I'm good to there
then
OK, will do...
And THANKS alot! too for your kind attention! I appreciate it!! - Annie

Well, it's interesting about crossovers and people having trouble with them. The Big Guy, who can do his spins and jumps both ways, cannot (well, will not) do crossovers. Apparently, he fell once doing one and go a scar on his bald spot, and he's panicked like an Alpha ever since when a crossover's required. .

6'3", 230 pounds. When the Big Guy goes out on the rink it's like watching an aircraft carrier entering New York harbor. When he jumps, all activity in the rink stops to watch in awe.

But he can't do crossovers in the corner.

So when we're on the ice, I like to skate in front of him and do alternating crossovers on the straight just to taunt him.

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Great forum quotes:
On Falling: '...it doesn't matter, it's what you do AFTER you fall that's more important' ISK8NYC

It's actually a really stable position, and if you watch beginners who've had no instruction, that's how they stand on the ice (and usually shuffle along that way too.)

Yes, and that is called "the click of death". I don't know how they do it, but I've seen this a lot. It produces a motion that I call the chicken walk because there is a kind of rocking forward and back to put that crossing foot on the ice by sticking the foot out instead of raising the knee up to cross. I just fixed this problem in a new student this week. I had him skate on a circle, put feet together, lift the crossing knee, and lower his body onto the bent knee. Sometimes just saying "lower your body" instead of "don't straighten your knee" works.

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That must be fun!

He really should take the time to get those FXO's. Most of the falls learning FXO's that I've seen are due to catching the toe pick of the under foot. I took my first FXO fall that way, and watched my coach after my lesson to see what happened. Too bad she didn't teach me what I saw her doing! I put my students on the wall and have them lift the toe so they can feel it. Then I have them do a one foot glide with what would be the under foot lifted with the ankle flexed so the toe is up.

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sigh,
un-able to practice consistently... is another reason, not to progress as possible.

since I started this thread 4 months ago, I've only been able to practice less than 6x. Anybody else have such challenges?

^Yes! First the lovely rink I like to go to during the week, which is attached to a school, stopped having their after-school open skate (because, y'know, there's no more school to be after). The rink closest to me doesn't have Saturday night skate right now. The other rink I go to is eliminating weekend open skate for most of the summer (can't figure out why...I would think that would be busier than weekday sessions). And we almost always visit my partner's parents on Sundays, which is the day there IS public skate on my near rink. And as I'm NOT going to drive to his parents' house (which is 12 miles away) separately from him, then drive back here in the middle of the day to skate, then back to his parents' house, I'm going to have to spend some Sundays saying "yeah, I'm not coming over all day so I can spend an hour and a half skating instead" and looking like a jerk (and I know they're not going to understand WHY I don't do all that driving so I can still come over AND skate). But I'm sorry, I drive 30 miles to work ONE way every day, in my poor elderly car. I don't want to put on any more miles than I have to, for the sake of my car, my wallet, and the environment--hell, I skip work socialization functions because they would always require me to drive at least 15 miles. I feel bad that I'm going to drive 12 miles to my skating class rather than going to a closer one, even.

I'm not far enough along in skating yet to get discouraged, but I know I will. I'm an artsy person and not inclined to athletic/physical endeavors. I mean, I've been dancing for four years and this is my second year competing, and I'm still regularly getting my @ss kicked by 12-year-olds at competitions...a girl on a dance forum I go to was recently saying "I've been dancing since January and just went to my first competition and won the trophy!" Meanwhile, I still sometimes don't even place in dances, and know that in one or two more levels I'm going to have to quit so I don't make a fool of myself up there with people who actually know what they're doing (in Highland dance, you get "stamps" if you get a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a competition, and once you have six stamps you move up, and the same for the next level, then for the next level you spend a year regardless of how you do at competitions, and then you're in the highest level. So conceivably you could move up through the levels without being very good--all you have to do is get a fluke 3rd place in one dance at a competition and not place in anything else, or place well at a competition where the other dancers aren't very good, and then WHAM you're stuck in the highest level without really being up to that skill level).

This is another reason I'm taking adult classes, though. I don't want a bunch of little kids passing me by. I'd feel like a dolt, and I certainly don't want a bunch of 10-year-olds saying amongst themselves, "gosh, she isn't very good, is she?" I'd feel far better if adults were surpassing me (unless they were 70, I guess...).

When I was first learning to skate, I only skated once a week. I then added a second session and that made a huge difference. Later on, I added more but had specific plans/goals for each session. Adding off-ice training helps.

I'm not on the ice now (rink closed for summer hiatus) so I'm doing off-ice training (and my body hates me right now). My schedule looks like this:
Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday-bodyweight training (like weightlifting but without weights; stretching; dance
Monday/Wednesday/Saturday-high level cardio intervals using the elliptical
Tuesday/Saturday-yoga; stretching; dance
Tuesday/Saturday-plyometrics/jump training using light weights, cords & my trampoline (not all at once); stretching; dance

And I mix it up depending on how sore/tired I am and also do some hula hooping with my weight hula hoop.....

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

Hi

Nice to read everyone's skating progress on here.

Well, for me, after lesson, yesterday I was doing a bunny hop after the ice resurface, and a lady ice marshall gestured to me that she really admired my bunny jump. Woo hoo. The lady ice marshall also amazed that at my age (33), I can still do backward shoot the duck.

Well, yes, I skated from 1997 to 2004, then due to study of professional exams, gave up my ice skating. Only came back in January of this year. When I stopped 4 years ago, I could do jumps, up to toe loop, and scratch spin (but not very good one). Strangely when I go back in January this year, and when I finally finished my Bar exams in end of May, I go ice skating 3 times a week (wed and thur. evening for adult lessons) and I could do the scratch spin (well not holding the leg in front yet) at least 10 revolutions. However, that pair of ice skates, I shipped them back from London to Singapore, won't receive it until the end of July or early August. I got a spare pair of skates in Singapore, just having to get used to, well can do scratch spin with leg holding in front 3 revolutions max. and with legs crossed max 4 to 5 revolutions. My skating friend was clapping at me after I managed one scratch spin (4 to 5 rev) after holding the leg in front for about 2 revolutions.

I am also working on mohawk sequence, and cross rolls (backwards). The coach tried to get me not to start from a pushing position first, just a stand still position. Private coach trying to correct my right leg forward crossover, as she said that should be 1 push, and I always have 2 pushes. However, my left leg crossover is alright. My coach said that it may be due to bad habits I formed when I first learnt ice skating, and my coach did not pay attention to that.

Can do sit spin occasionally, but only about 3 revolutions (half sit really).

Toe loop seems to be getting better. Also working on loop sequence, and half loop. Waltz jump, well, sometimes the jump is not that distinct. Argggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Keep working on it. Hopefully some day the jump will be big and distinctive.

londonicechamp

I've been working w beginner who could not do anything when she started. NO coordination. But the girl loves it! She has worked hard all season. We started w grps then I gave her a private. The kid has made progress to B3. Her mother and the child are thrilled. As her teacher, so am I. Hard work pays off!

Kay

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Visit my figure skating journal
http://www.skatejournal.com/

I would be soooo happy with even a quarter sit spin! Glad I'm not the only one feeling the frustration with waltz jumps even tho I can do more advanced jumps, my coach still had me go back to the waltz jump and work on it...

I went shopping today and bought more "equipment" for my home gym:
-10 & 15lb kettlebells
-balance disk
-exercise/therapy ball (my son popped my last one, this one is "anti-burst")
-Tosca Reno's book "Eat Clean Diet" (yeah I need all the help I can get, but I stopped by my mother's to drop off her groceries and she gave me a box of See's Candies to take home-that woman is pure evil -kidding-man that candy is sooo good! So, I'm saving it for my cheat meal day).

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

but prolly you were 'consistent', yes?

Not: 'ok, 1-4x this week; then nothing for 5wks., to 2-3 months' <- mostly useless.
No babe ever learned to walk..., on that schedule; yikes!
and i also
1. endured major family-complications; &
currently: 2 major health-issues, so I can't just skate whenever I fancy.
&
2. need to work, (preferably 1600-0200), as currently i get too tired, to ice-play after 1400.

Rest assured, there's no lack of "specific... dreams, goals, or plans" <- this dept. is well-rehearsed, on a daily basis, lol

ok; so do you do all these "off-ice trainings", also by yourself? - or
do you practice with family & friends...
i ask
'cause after playing-around on the ice by my lonesome,
I'm too extroverted, to do more of the same 'off-ice'.

I just gotta have some company... , for Ballet, Pilates, Stretching, & especially Trampoline, etc.

(one of these days, I also wanna learn to Swim)

ooh, I used to play with a 'hula hoop' in gradeschool. Where did you buy yours?

Thanks! so much for your sharing...
.

I C (says she), this "Encouraging beginners..." thread
has jumped... tracks again. um, about a light-year... away, lol
Congratulations!!!
well,
for me (with my last formal-lesson in Feb., no current classes, & no coach),
I continue Discovering... what I am feeling where, as I skate..., iow, the KINESTHETICS
Hm,
maybe start a new thread
.

^ LOL, it's always awkward when everyone else is like "I'm about to learn my triple Lutz!" and you're like, "I finally let go of the wall today!"

I felt that way at first too. Then decided, "hell, I have as much of a right to post that I am learning crossovers as everyone else has to post about axels and sit spins," so I do. It IS still difficult to find folks who are just starting out, though. Maybe we need a "Beginners Club" here for those of us who've been skating less than six months/are in Basic 8s or below Basic 5 or 6 or something...

To answer your questions: Um, no at the beginning I was NOT consistent (unless you count how terrified I was to move away from the security of the wall), I used to just get on the ice and muck around without any specific idea of what to do on practice ice. After a while I decided (it was my coach's idea) I needed a plan & goals so that's what I came up with for each month, year, and practice session.

I practice my off-ice stuff by myself (all alone), although sometimes my son (age 13) jumps on the trampoline with me. I don't have a problem doing ANYTHING by myself, I'm a 47-year-old female skater, the only adult at my rink that competes, and I'm usually in a "class by myself" sort of category. That being said, I've gotten used to doing many things by myself from skating to archery, kayaking, etc. So, no it doesn't bother me as most of my girlfriends don't do ANY of my same activities. I zone out and hit it. I don't mind company but I don't need it LOL!

And last, I bought my hula hoop at my rink (one of the girls sells them there) but you can buy them online. Check out www.sports-hoop.com or www.hooping.org for more info about them (these are links I googled).
By the way, I may be doing some (haha not all) jumps and spins but I am STILL working on edges & crossovers, even more since my injury!!!! And even if I did not have to work harder because of the injury & resulting muscular imbalances, my coach would MAKE me do it anyway because you ALWAYS need to work on & fine-tune the basics! Even before I hurt my back, we would go back and work on edges, knee bend, pointing toes, arms, crossovers, stroking, etc. because you CAN'T do ANY of the advanced stuff if you don't have the basics down!!! So yes, I jump back into the beginners club all the time!

It is hilarious to have the little kids (even ones working on doubles) ask me "why are you doing edges????" and "is your coach mad at you?" hahaha!!! I say "it makes me a BETTER SKATER!" They can DO their jumps & spins but where is the finesse?

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

I coach, so I'm on the ice almost every day (and that does help), BUT, there are many weeks when I don't have the time, or am too tired to actually practice. It shows.

Very true. I also have a student who is a beginner and could not do a one foot glide or F swizzles when he started. He was skating once a week and making progress slowly. Then, all of a sudden, I saw a huge change in him, and found out he was getting to the rink three times a week.

Keep in mind that many of us may be relatively "advanced" in some areas, but beginners in others. I've been told I look really good, smooth, etc on the ice, but I've been struggling with FO and FI three turns for many years. BO threes are hesitant and I have not really tackled BI threes yet. I am a truly crummy spinner. I teach all of those things, and jumps too, but I don't do them, so I'm a beginner in that respect. The only reason I can teach is that I was a gold roller dancer when young, so I have the eye and the technical understanding. There are some relatively simple things that I know I will never master because I'm too scared of the potential for injury to really work at them.

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Hi Skate@Delaware

Yes, should perhaps be happy about my half sit really. Can sometimes do only 2.5 revolutions. That is coz I am still getting used to the pair of ice skates I have in Singapore, where I am living now.

Hi sk8joyful

Thanks for your encouragement. I shall keep up my ice skating, as long as I am healthy and not yet started a family. 2 2o light years away, like your sense of humour. Body energy level is not as good as when I first learnt ice skating in my early 20s. When I first learnt, I can skate for 2 to 3 hours non stop, without feeling tired. Now, after about 2 hours, will feel slightly tired. Must be to do with my age.

londonicechamp

Before I hurt my back, I had a very lovely hunched-over semi-squat spin that in no way shape or form remotely resembled a sit-spin!!! LOl! My coach INSISTED that I keep working on it.... I got a brief reprieve after my injury but she revisited it when I was somewhat recovered. It had NOT improved at all. I had become weaker in my legs though and was not able to get as low as before (or as high?)

I'm 47 and have to manage my energy levels...I can't skate for HOURS on end; I do take frequent breaks and make sure I eat better.

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

Age can make a huge difference. When I was a kid, doing roller dance, I skated 5 and 6 hours a day almost every day (with some breaks, of course). Now, at 62, not only is 2 hours just about my limit, but if I'm on the ice working (teaching, not my own skating, so a lot of standing around) for 4 to 5 hours Sat & Sun, then I have to take Mon off. Ice dance has helped build my endurance a lot, but I know there are limits imposed by age.

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Yes but with age comes wisdom (hopefully!) to recognize that energy needs to be rationed out! And to work smarter and not quite as hard (altho working hard tends to be a relative term).

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