Sunday, August 12, 2012

Skating at EWU in Cheney

It's Sunday and my rink has no ice for the next week so I skated at Eastern Washington University.  The ice is so different here.  It's warmer inside (which is why I wore a skirt) and the ice is softer than my rink.  It's very bright inside and that actually makes me dizzy sometimes!

I practiced all of the Adult Silver Moves In The Field or MIF.  I only captured some of them on camera and I had to use the short end of the rink because they won't allow me to take my camera onto the ice there to position it on the board in the corner.  That is also why there is a haze on my video as it was behind the glass of the penalty box shooting out.

Adult Silver MIF don't feel too scary to me.  I think in a few months when the time comes I will be able to pass them.  This is how it goes as you move up the food chain of figure skating.  The moves are usually attainable, but the freestyle will hold you back from competing at higher levels.  I am still technically ADULT PRE BRONZE because I still have not taken my ADULT BRONZE FS test.

I can "skate up" at competitions, except at Adult Nationals.  You need to have passed the level in which you are competing.  Next year Adult Nationals will be held in Scottsdale, AZ.  I'm really excited and I hope to be able to bring 2 programs:  1 Adult Bronze and 1 Adult Bronze Artistic/Dramatic.  The latter has no required elements and you are judged on how well you interpret the music as well as the technical skills of your program, but again... no required elements.  So that is a lot on my plate between now and April 2013.

Here's some footage of my practice today:




Adult Silver Moves in the Field Descriptions
  1. Eight-step mohawk sequence
    The skater will perform two eight-step mohawk sequences counterclockwise. The step order is: Forward crossover into a LFO mohawk, followed by LBI, RBO, LBI cross forward and RFI. The skater should maintain a march cadence (one beat per step). Between the circles is a two-beat left foot transition. The sequence is then repeated twice in the opposite direction. Introductory steps are optional. This move may start in either direction.
    Focus: Quickness, continuous flow and strength

  2. Forward and backward free skate cross strokes
    The skater will perform free skate cross strokes the length of the ice surface. Forward cross strokes will be skated for one length of the rink and backward cross strokes skated for the second length of the rink. Introductory steps and end patterns are optional. This move may start on either foot.
    Focus: Continuous flow and strength

  3. FO-BI three-turns in the field
    The skater will perform forward three-turns alternating to backward three-turns covering the length of the rink. One length of the rink will start with RFO-LBI three-turns. On the second length of the rink, the skater will perform LFO-RBI three-turns. The end sequence and the choice of introductory steps are optional. This move may start on either foot.
    Focus: Edge quality                                   
  4. FI-BO three-turns in the field .On the first length of the rink the skater will perform RFI-LBO three-turns. On the second length of the rink the skater will perform LFI RBO three-turns. Introductory steps and end sequence are optional. This move may start on either foot.                                                                                                                        Focus: Edge quality                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  5. Consecutive outside and inside spirals .                                                                                                                                    The skater will perform right foot and left foot spirals. The outside edge spirals will be skated for the first length of the rink. Forward crossovers may be utilized (optional) around the end of the rink. Forward inside edge spirals will be skated for the second length of the rink. The exact number of spirals will depend on the size of the rink and the strength of the skater, however a minimum of four spirals down each length of the rink must be skated. The extended leg in the spiral should be held at hip level or higher. Introductory steps are optional.                                                                  Focus: Extension and edge quality 
  6. Forward and backward power change of edge pulls                                                                                                              The skater will perform consecutive power change of edge pulls — FIO to FOI — for the full length of the rink followed by backward change of edge pulls — BOI to BIO — for the second full length of the rink. The skater will change feet at the center of the rink. Introductory steps and end sequence are optional. This move may start on either foot.           Focus: Continuous flow and strength  

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

25 Days Later ......

I finally got back on the ice today after nearly a month off.  Wow, I will never intentionally do that again.

Things affected by taking that much time off:


  1. Energy
  2. Stamina
  3. Muscle Tone
  4. Muscle Memory
  5. Balance
  6. Dizziness
  7. Edges
  8. Confidence
.... But I am sporting a nice tan!

I skated about 1 1/2 hours today.  I didn't push myself as I knew all of these things above were going to be a factor.  I will have to ease back into it.


On a brighter note there was a big announcement today by USFSA:

Adult Nationals 2013 & 2014

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

One Week Turned Into Three

No I didn't get inured or quit skating.

What happened?  Summer.  Since my last post we had family visiting on two occasions, then flew back to Oshkosh WI for our annual trip to the fly in convention.  Now we're home, but headed out camping for a few days in our trailer with the dog.  Meanwhile we are in the beginning stages of building a new house.

It's all fun, so I can't complain..... I will save that for when I get back on the ice next Monday and can't do anything, feel sore and frustrated!

Fun on the lake

Grandkids

Heading to Oshkosh

Camping with our plane

Annual photo under the brown arch

Getting ready for footings

View from our house being built


Getting busy on these Silver Dances

I have been working on these silver dances too long!   Planning to go all in on them until I can test them in the next few months.