Day 4 on Ice

This was my fourth day in a row skating this week- For most skaters this is the norm. For me it’s probably too much. We had a short lesson but made some progress on both dances.

Wednesday Practice Only

 I got to have my Wednesday lesson on Monday this week so today was just practice.  Badly needed practice however skating 3 days in a row... soon to be 4 tomorrow... is taking it’s toll on my 61 year old joints and muscles.

Today I tried to mostly focus on skating elements.  Stroking, edges, foot work, twizzles and I spent a few minutes attempting some spins as a need one for the end of my Free Dance... whew.  Those spins did me in.  I am out of practice.  I was not centered and really dizzy following the first one.  Once you get spin sick .. there is no recovering!

Monday Lesson and Tuesday Practice

 Monday I had a lesson instead of Wed due to a cancellation.  We did part IV of our choreography on the Free Dance.  As frustrating as it is to not be able to execute these moves to perfection.. it is the most fun process of learning a new program.  My coach Naomi is AMAZING.  She just thinks of these steps right off the top of her head.

Tuesday - is my normal golf day but my thumb sprain is keeping me from any sports with clubs or racquets in my left hand.

Ice Cafe with Grant ... Best ever!

 Beautiful music today and great edge class.

Choreo Part III

 Wednesday lesson:  Part III of my Solo Free Dance choreography.  As usual I am a slow learner when it comes to steps, movement and arms.  It’s like dyslexia on ice!

Blue Jean Monday

 Skating at Gilbert today because I forgot to book my regular ice time by the deadline Sunday!

Decided to go casual Monday denim ... it felt pretty awkward!

I spared you the ice dance practice and the majority of the session I endlessly worked on waltz 3 turns.

I wonder if I will ever get them right.

Fun Fridays @ Gilbert

Turns out I am getting extra ice time since I injured my thumb.  While lacing up is difficult - skating itself doesn’t require much use of my left thumb.  I’m using added caution so I can try to avoid the falls.

Thursday Ice Cafe and Partnering Lesson

 Skating with a sprained thumb - unable to properly lace up snugly.  I did the best I could today.

Choreography Part 2 Solo Free Dance

 This video is kind of long.  The new choreo starts about 6:50 into it!  The rest is me trying to cautiously skate after a fall yesterday on the golf course - led to a sprained thumb - Im in a brace and lacing up is very difficult if not impossible to do correctly.

I hate Mondays.

 So since my last post was Thursday... I’ve played a few rounds of golf, a round of pickle ball and even attempted to pick up an old tennis racket. That was probably the worst choice. Sunday my husband and I were trying to volley a few balls when our club tennis pro came out with the basket of balls and decided to give us an impromptu private lesson. Oh are we ever sore. 

I keep thinking of the mantra if you don’t use it you lose it however I’m starting to feel like I need to set some boundaries. 

I booked an hour of ice on Monday and didn’t put out 100% of effort as my right knee… The one with little to no cartilage was really aching from tennis. So most of my session was just warming up to the idea of making some turns.

F-F-F-Free Dance Whaaaat?

 Yep.  I succumbed.  Today I had my first lesson toward working on a Solo Free Dance.  I don’t know what level it will be.  The rules are confusing.  It will either be Bronze or Silver in an adult competitive event - or Adult Juvenille.  As of now we are programming 1:40 +/- 10 sec .....   if it’s Silver I’ll need to be able to do Twizzles on both feet 😧- otherwise I can get away with just one foot!

We had a bunch of songs in contention but we decided pretty quick today.  I loved all the choices but thought this one resonated with me.  It’s slow enough and I think I can handle the emotion required for it!

Besides .. Walking After Midnight .. is perrrrrfect for a SOLO free dance!  My amazing coach Naomi Lang whipped out the first 22 seconds of this without hesitation.  She just listened to it for 30 seconds and started out ... Yep... I see this.. and this and this.  How do they do it?  I’m grateful she not only showed me the steps but let me record it.. I started to write it all down but I am so SLOW to learn choreography-

What else would you expect from a 5 time National Dance Champion and International and Olympic competitor? I only wish I had the skating chops to do it justice.

Grateful.

Adult Figure Skating: Monday Dance Practice