Two Lessons In One Session

Even though I only skate 1- 1 1/2 hrs at a time, skating 4 days in a row really takes it toll on me.  This week I skated Mon-Tue-Wed including a lesson on Monday and today (Thursday) I had 2 lessons during my freestyle session.  All this leading into Christmas week.  (limited if any ice time)

Starting with my choreographer we are trying to get this Silver FS program into shape for my upcoming test and potential competitions (still weighing that option).  I am getting closer to being able to complete one run through without needing to call an EMT.

Today she tried to teach me what is known at my rink as "The Randy Move" ..(he is the head coach at our club)  I'm sure plenty of skaters do it and call it what it is:  a deep forward outside edge, crossing with the opposite foot and instead of stepping onto the opposite foot while crossing you just step down and push back off it, lifting that foot and returning it to behind the skating foot in almost a t position and pushing off back onto the original outside edge.  When done properly and with pretty arms .. it looks great as you will see another one of our skaters demonstrated for me as well as my coach in my lesson.  Don't try this at home IT'S PATENTED!  (just kidding)

So we spent the good part of our lesson on this plus learning to turn out my foot and point and stretch during my spiral and going over my footwork.

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Later that session, my coach worked with me with what little energy I had left on my Camel and Sit Spins as well as the above mentioned step.

If that wasn't enough I skated later that evening at another rink.  Thinking I was going to relax and do some beginning ice dance with a fellow skater (and local skating judge) .. who didn't show up... I ended up working on my elements there too.  I was so sore when the day was done.

Thinking about how the kids train 15-30 hours a week and more at the higher levels .. my body would never stand for it!

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Not sure what the weekend holds and next week I am headed to Mt. Bachelor, Oregon for 4 nights with my hubby and 3 days of skiing (if it doesn't warm up too much and rain) - Maybe I'll get on the ice at Sunriver Village a few times.  It's sure to be crowded beyond belief, but maybe I can get my husband to strap on a pair of skates.

Short Practice

Today I donned a fitness band and a heart rate monitor while I skated.  I am still trying to figure out how to get a report out of it, but as it turned out I only skated 30 minutes total.

I don't want to sound negative, but I can feel the pressure of a looming test and the adult competition season around the corner and I have serious doubts about being ready or even passing my test.  Ice time will be limited due to the holidays and a skiing trip I am taking over Christmas.

I did a few jumps today but wasn't really feeling it.

Will post the results of my heart rate when I figure it out!

Toe Loop Tuesday

Had a fun practice today on a public session with my friend Heather of RedSwanUSA.com a great online shop for figure skaters.  Need tights?  Protection for your head or bum?  Bling bars for your laces?  Check her out.

She taught me a great exercise to get over my fear and loathing of Toe Loops.

You know what they say practice-practice-practice.  So that's what she suggested doing.
Toe Loops, one after the next in repetition.  By jove I think it may have worked.

Major accomplishment today.  I ignored all  the warning signs that I was about to enter cardiac arrest or muscle failure and kept skating until the end of my program.  MY FIRST COMPLETE RUN.
Granted, a few things are still missing for testing and a lot of things are missing for competition, but I kept going until the end.  The music had long stopped however .. so I must keep working at it, but I was pleased.  My music is 2:10 long and I was still going 10 seconds after .... so technically I skated 2:20 non-stop.... amazing.

Lesson with the choreographer on Thursday to seal the deal, then it's just work work work until January 14.  Test day.

Lost My Camel Spin

Public was busy today.  My legs always seem to let me down.. watching videos and thinking about skating motivates me, but when I "strap on" my skates, my utter exhaustion and my degenerating knee and hip joints tell me otherwise.

Friends tell me ... "you look great".  I am never fishing for compliments.  Trust me I am my biggest critic and my coach says things like "they were all small mistakes"  "you are skating strong" .. but from my perspective it sucks!

There are many things I will never be:

I will never be 5'8" tall and lean.
I will never have a double jump.
I will never have enough energy to provide me the kind of confidence I wish I felt while skating.
I will never not envy someone else's skating.

If only I could live by a better mantra:

I am a 55 year old figure skater.  ('nuff said)

Anyway ... Mondays are usually reserved for Moves, but I need to stay focused on my test in just shy of a month.  My Camel spin disappeared today.  I was loving my slow 4 rotations and now I would give my eye teeth for 4 slow rotations.  Tomorrow maybe.

Saturday Morning Backspins and Spread Eagles

FS session at a different rink today.  My program runs were not good so I just captured a minute or so of my backspins and spread eagles.

Public Friday

Realizing that 1-2 days a week will never get me ready for a test next month.. I headed back to the rink today for a public session.  My jumps and spins are really looking and feeling weak to me..

Time to get out the jump rope.

A Slow Climb Back..

I had a much needed lesson with my choreographer today to continue working on my unfinished Silver FS program.  She is laying it out for competition and my skating coach will tweet it for testing .... i.e. make it EASIER!  It is no where remotely near a competitive program at this point, but little by little we'll get it completed.

My goal in the next 3 weeks is to complete this program and increase my stamina.  Also to work on stretching and extension at home and at the gym.  (That's the short list)

Lesson on 1st Day Back in 3 Weeks

Need I say more?  3 weeks no skating = a really difficult climb back.  It may take a while to get back into any progress.

Skated a public session and had a lesson today.  My regular coach had not seen my Silver FS program progress.  We decided to change things up to make it easier to pass my test in January.  Very important or else I won't qualify to skate as a Silver at Sectionals or Nationals in March and April.