Still Off Ice But Trying To Stay Active

 I don’t expect to see any ice until maybe August in Sun Valley Idaho during our summer RV trip.  Meanwhile I am trying to do something new, challenging and that will keep my on my toes … literally.

Here in Pinetop Arizona there is no ice rink, but there is a dance studio.  I signed up for an intro pass for 2 weeks and took Adult Ballet and Adult Tap.  While both classes are beginner levels, there are several ladies in both

classes who have quite a bit of experience.  I have taken a few ballet classes before so I’m vaguely familiar with a few of the steps and positions.  Tap on the other hand is 100% new to me.  I’m using shoes that belonged to my son .. now nearly 40 who danced in his pre-teen years.  I’ve kept his shoes and they just happen to fit me!   Well.. almost.  They are maybe 1/2-1 size too big.  

The studio White Mountain Dance Studio is really great.  The instructors/owners are super nice and welcoming.  So far I have taken about 6 classes 2 of each dance discipline plus 2 Barre Fit classes which are great for the core workout.

Unfortunately the studio will now allow me film my classes, or private lessons.  If I make any significant progress I’ll proudly post something, but this blog is really about skating.  Meanwhile this is a tap step combo she let me film that we are working on.

Pre Gold Ice Dance Test Results

I passed all three dances that we tested:  Blues - Kilian - Paso Doble.

May 13th was my final lesson with coach Vitali.  It was DO or DIE.  I brought my loving husband to the rink to record what I thought would be 1 virtual test:  The Blues.  

Instead we ended up skating 3 tests:  Blues, Kilian and Paso Doble.  We had never even skated a full test pattern of the Kilian in my lessons.. ever.  Paso Doble maybe once.  

After review of the dances we felt I had a chance at a pass since I’m testing 50+ which allows a little more leniency, but honestly I did not expect to pass all three.  It goes without saying “I wish I skated better” 

But time was ticking.  My coach is moving to Texas where he and his wife will be coaching at the Children’s Health StarCenter Multisport in Northlake TX.   

Without further ado - I present - my best effort after a solid year of working on these dances and received 3 passes by all three judges.

The final dance of this level is the Starlight Waltz.  It will have to wait for another day.. and sadly another coach.    

Thank you Vitali for all your patience and support over the past 4 years.

 

Virtual Test Day

Pass or Fail I am really proud of myself today.  I put on my big girl dress and pushed myself to my limit and somehow managed to lay down 3 of the 4 Pre-Gold Ice Dances on video today to submit to the judges.  The video I am uploading today are not the official submission videos - parts of all the dances are off camera in the corners.

I will post all three actual videos when the results come in in a few weeks time.  Meanwhile 🤞 🤞🤞.

No So HIGH Hopes Anymore

 Today was my real last full day of lesson/practice toward these Pre-Gold Dances before I leave for vacation and lose my coach forever.  I would HATE the idea of of starting over with another coach.  Picking up the pieces again, but it looks like that is what is going to happen.

We aim to record the dances tomorrow as though we are testing.  I’ll post anything we don’t submit - otherwise I will wait to see the results in due time.

Final 3 Days with Coach Vitali

Unexpected end to my ice dance season.  We booked a last minute Alaska cruise - leaving this Friday and won’t return until after Memorial Day - Which is also the beginning of my summer travel season.  Living in Arizona the heat is unbearable in the summer months so we head to the Arizona mountains to escape.  That means no real skating for me during June-Sept .. sometimes longer.

I never thought I would make skating a part time seasonal thing, but I’ll be 67 when I get back this fall and I am losing my coach because he is moving away to Texas before I return.  There are dance coaches here but mostly female and/or they are a long travel distance for me.  I don’t know what I will do come fall.  

Meanwhile I have 3 days of lessons - 1 already gone.  2 more left to try and get one or all of my Pre-Gold Dances to a place where I can try and record them to submit for testing.  I’m sure we will try them all on Wednesday if I can get my husband to come record them.  But whether or not I can pull it off ????? I seriously doubt it.

So today is part 1 of 3 and probably my last skating post for a few months.  If I find some mid summer ice time - Maybe in August in Sun Valley I will make a full report!!!

I’m Back from Vacay!

One month off ice

Picked up a nasty RSV virus on the last few days of the cruise and I’ve been trying to get over that.

Took my chances today with a lesson - Glad I did.  I felt a little wobbly at first but we got through all the dances with some practice today.

First is the long version, 2nd is just the dances to music.

Last Dance till May

 Music system up and down today.  Rink filled with out of town kids for a competition and nobody film - The stars just weren’t aligned in my favor this month.  I’ll have to pay for this test twice too.  Grrr.

We skated for an hour but I’m already mentally checked out for vacation so I grabbed the Blues and cut the rest.   

Happy April - 

I felt guilt that I didn’t post all the dances - so here they are

2nd To Last Skate Before a MONTH OFF

 Time has run out.  Was hoping to test the Blues last week but the music was out and today’s practice did not seem worthy when we did the full run through.  The music system at the rink is broken.  They tied a speaker to the system on the floor but the selector system wouldn’t accept our fingers with or without gloves.  I’ll show up Wednesday and hope A) the music works B) I skate better and C) someone there will be kind enough to record it.

No Test Today

 Got up at 5:15 to get to the rink for the 7:00 freestyle.  Brought hubby who is not feeling well at the beginning of a cold .. just to find out the rink music system is down.  So no test attempt today.

But coach did bring a pocket speaker and we practiced all the dances with a speaker dangling from his coat - an awkward experience having music blaring in your face while skating … he is pretty tall so it was really right in front my face!

On a positive note we have starting running full or multiple patterns of each dance.

Crunch Time

Well I have a goal and a date.  Looks like I may be looking for a new coach next fall as my coach is moving away.  I don’t know what I will do next fall.   I will cross that bridge when I come to it.  For now I have April and May to work on these Pre-Gold Dances.  But I will be gone for 3 weeks of April on a cruise.   That leaves me about 4-5 weeks of practice