One Month Later....

 Talk about resting on your laurels… After returning from a fabulous week of skating in Sun Valley culminating in taking and passing all three bronze ice dance tests, I proceeded to hang up my skates for 30 days.

All the pressure was off and we set out to enjoy the remainder of the beautiful summer. It’s 2020 hadn’t given us enough already he gave us a horrific fire season followed by several weeks of air quality so poor I didn’t hardly leave the house. 

When the smoke finally started to dissipate we packed up our trailer and headed to Yellowstone for some much-needed fresh air.

I signed up for this freestyle session at the spur the moment knowing I need really need to get back on the ice. And of course… As always… I did not properly stretch or warm up and when I launched into a camel spin I managed to pull my left hamstring. This has been happening lately as in when I was in Sun Valley it happened some thing about going up into the camel is pulling it. 

I skated about 3/4 of the hour long session and decided to crack out my camera during the last 10 minutes. We had been told not to take photos or video when the rink first allowed us back on the ice after lockdown,  but now I’m seeing other skaters doing it so… All bets are off.

Doing what I could today ending in trying out the 14 step the first of 3 pre-silver ice dances.

Bronze Ice Dance Tests

Finalizing my extraordinary week in Sun Valley for the adult skating week 2020 - was testing my three Bronze Ice Dances:  The Hickory Hoedown, The Willow Waltz and the Ten Fox. 

Back in 2017 the last time I came to Sun Valley during the solar eclipse - I took a lesson with Brent Bommentre and he reviewed the steps with me for the Hickory Hoedown.  I took another lesson with Chris Obzansky and he attempted to teach me the steps of the Willow Waltz and the Ten Fox.  After that I didn’t have any coaching for ice dance and I really didn’t put any practice in on the dances.  I find practicing the dances solo quite difficult.

Toward the end of 2019 at my winter residence in Arizona, I found a new coach Sue Burdick who worked with me on all three dances.  Maybe 3-4 lessons.  I also went up to Scottsdale Ice Den once and took a long lesson with Todd Gilles so I could know what these dances felt like partnered. That was March 6, 2020 just before all the rinks closed during the COVID19 pandemic.

With no practice until July of 2020 - without a coach I attempted to recall what I learned from those few lessons and I showed up at Sun Valley determined to test at the end of the week.  I signed up for a daily lesson with Brent Bommentre - Masked up due to COVID19 protocol we hammered out the dances as best as we could in 5 days.  Skating at nearly 6,000 feet with a mask ... need I say more?  It’s difficult to breathe and relax .. 

During one of my tests he said .. BREATHE ... honestly I think I held my breath for the entire Hickory Hoedown!  

Results are in:  I passed all three even with some honors points by some of the judges. I am happy and of course also regretful that the errors I did make showed their ugly faces!

Thanks to all the coaches mentioned above - you were all part of my success this week.

Hickory Hoedown

Willow Waltz

Ten Fox

Sun Valley Adult Skating Week 2020

 It’s Saturday August 29, 2020.  Sun Valley Adult Skating Week 2020 has come to and end. My week will be over this afternoon - after the test session.  As always Sun Valley Adult Skating Week did not disappoint.  All of the group classes were both fun and very helpful when returning home to continue practicing.    

Due to COVID there are some changes this year.  Smaller attendance obviously, but most people are wearing masks on and off the ice.  It’s required on ice only if you are in a partnered pairs or dance lesson, but you will notice more skaters wear a mask than not in the group classes.  I find it very difficult to skate with a mask on.  It’s terribly uncomfortable, hot and humid.  I know I am not being oxygen deprived, but it feels as though I am -so it affects my stamina... which is waning by the year anyway! Masks are also required on the benches outside the indoor rink - which is where we are putting on our skates and leaving our belongings. Outside we use the bleachers to lace up and we only pass through the chalet to check in for sessions and classes.  If you take a private lesson you are also required to have your temperature taken just beforehand.  For the record I was 95, 95, 96, 96, 96 !  

This year I decided to try and test at the end of the week.  I have been taking a daily lesson with Brent Bommentre on the indoor ice every day late in the afternoon.  I never feel completely “ready” for a test, but having a professional skater and coach propping you should take off some of the pressure.  I’ll be testing the Hickory Hoedown, Willow Waltz and the Ten Fox - the Bronze level ice dances.

Sorry the indoor videos - they are difficult to see - It’s impossible to capture ice dancing without someone following you with a camera.

In summary, COVID or not.  Sun ValleyAdult Skating Week is worth the splurge.  The energy, love, camaraderie and scenery are all icing on the cake to a great week of skating.  Thank you Scott Irving and Pam Farr for putting it all together once again.

Patch 7:00 am Monday!

Coffee Club Monday with Frank Sweiding

Arms In Space with Stephanee Grosscup

Spin to Win with Craig Heath

Lesson 1 with Brent Bommentre

Advanced Edge Class with Erin Reed

                                                                    Lesson #2 with Brent Bommentre

Group Photo during Wednesday Coffee Club

Edges and Extension with Erin Reed

                                                                                    

         

Lesson #3 with Brent Bommentre

Wednesday morning patch 8:15

                                       

   Program Dance Session

MIF with Anita Hartshorn

                                                                    Lesson #4 with Brent Bommentre

                                                                 Friday morning last patch of the week

         

Coffee Club Friday with Stephanee Grosscup

Edge Jumps with Jonathan Hunt

Lesson #5 - Last lesson with Brent Bommentre before my test!

Peek a Boo Skate before Sun Valley

I’ve been skating about 2 times a week for the past couple of months. It’s been slow going. I haven’t had any coaching. I have been concentrating on the Bronze Ice Dances and Gold Moves in the Field. 

At the end of today’s freestyle session I decided to video a few clips - I am very out of shape still and have lost a lot of skills. 

Sunday I’m heading to Sun Valley for Adult Skating Week 2020 and plan on daily lessons with Brent Bommentre and testing 3 dances on the 29th  (if he thinks I’m ready).

I think we have to wear a mask 😷 for lessons adnd testing!!!

Still skating unable to video

I’ve been skating 2 to 3 times a week unlimited freestyle sessions at my rink and they are still discouraging anyone from taking pictures or video and posting them on social media. They don’t want any controversy surrounding the business as everyone knows ice rinks are hurting badly these days and we need to keep this rink open!

I just to prove that I’m still here.. my blades are full of ice and at one point I got my heart rate up to 167 bpm!

Another session - progress report

I skipped skating my pre-paid session on Monday because I had to wait for a service call at our home.  So Tuesday I had to show up and give it my best.  Each session has exactly 12 skaters on it.  Today there were a few faces I didn’t recognize. 

I skated on the 2nd of 2 sessions our club has right now.  The high level skaters had just gotten off and the ice was a bit chewed up.  That makes it harder for me to work on moves in the field.  My back eights and double three turns are slow enough on fresh ice!

Im still struggling to maintain good edges on the double three turns.  All of them.  Some feet/edges are better than others but none of them show real control.  If I get the edge right my body is fighting and has no composure or look relaxed.  If I carry myself calmly - I usually lose the edge and get “subcurves”.  All that is from years

 of improper edging.

In the dance department - all 3 of the bronze ice dances are coming along.  I am learning to get more comfortable doing backward chassee’s, backward progressives, backward swing rolls and just about every step on the Ten Fox is challenging either mentally or physically!  The Hickory Hoedown, while not nearly perfect is probably testable.

Friday I have another session - we’ll see.  

Yup .. skated today

I really can’t motivate myself to write about my skating without evidential proof!

Today I skated about 50 minutes of a 1 hour freestyle session filled with 12 skaters.  Most of whom are of the high level - doing doubles and a few triples.

I did my best to stay out of their way whilst trying to warm up, stroke, practice dances and moves in the field.

Looking forward to getting my old public sessions back where I can vlog about my boring practices!

Look Ma No Video

In a direct email from our club - we were bold type told no filming or photography during freestyle sessions of any kind. I have no idea why. They stated it was Coronavirus related. Hmmm.

Now I will have to paint a picture with words.  It was my  2nd skate since lockdown.  Back at my home club rink in Spokane WA - Lilac City Figure Skating Club.  1 hour freestyle session with a limited number of skaters.

COVID19 rules:

• We entered through the back door 
• Minimal personal items allowed inside
• No changing in the restrooms - locker rooms off limits (not that I used our locker room anyway) 
• A verbal questioning on entry about lack of exposure to Corona and a sanitizing of our kiss and cry bags.   
• No RinkMusic allowed yet., but they did allow an iphone to be plugged in for background music
• Skates put on at the rink side bleachers
• Kiss-and-cry bags on the rails must be 6’ apart
• All dynamic warm ups in the parking lot.  What?  We are supposed to warm up before skating? 

I have to say, for me .. skating a freestyle session is more productive than a public session where I can spend much of it skating round and round socializing, stretching at the wall and killing time.  At a freestyle session everyone works hard so you feel guilty if you aren’t continually doing something constructive.

I spent my session stroking - trying to employ deeper knee bend into the ice and extension of my free leg - dance style.  I did Chasse’s and Swing Rolls, forward Cross Rolls, Swizzles and Slalom pumps, Crossovers and Progressives.  Then I spent 20 minutes doing 3 patterns of the Hickory Hoedown, Willow Waltz and Ten Fox and another 15 minutes attempting the Gold Moves in the Field .. repeating those that felt uneasy (Double Three Turns and Brackets). Near the end of the session I did a few Spirals, a few Scratch Spins, A Spread Eagle and after my Camel Spin fell apart I decided I had had enough.  The last minutes were spent power stroking 3 laps.  NO JUMPING whatsoever today.  I just wasn’t ready.

Here’s the only proof I have that I skated!

First skate since March 13! Post Covid19

Although the crisis of the pandemic is far from over many states are beginning to reopen and launch their phase 2 openings. Arizona is such a state. Today I was able to attend a freestyle session with limited skaters on the ice and take a lesson. The only requirement was that you come mostly prepared to skate and only spend time in the lobby putting your skates on and taking them off. They asked that you keep your tissues to yourself, obviously don’t share water bottles or touch anyone else’s stuff.

As my coach said you’re  going to feel a bit like “Bambi“ first time out but it wasn’t too bad I just felt unsure of my edges and posture ... but truth be told ...that’s always the case ha ha.

This is my last lesson down in Arizona before heading back to Washington state for the summer. We worked on some fundamentals and the Hickory Hoedown as well as went over the steps of the 10 Fox.

It felt great to be back on the ice.

Another New Rink in Arizona - Peoria

I got to Gilbert AZ Ice today for a published public session from 9:45 to 11:45 but it had been swapped out for hockey.  What to do - all dressed for skating and nowhere to go .. I search the area for sessions.... Scottsdale .. no ... Chandler .. no ... Peoria ... YES!  I would be a little late for the start but they had a Coffee Club from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm.... Siri ... I need directions to ...

A quiet coffee club.  No instruction, just adult skating.  Good music playing .. (I muted it on the video however) - I didn’t really meet anyone except a nice girl named Rachel from Disney on Ice who is on hiatus from the show due to the COVD-19 ..

- These are crazy times.

I did a lot of ice dance practice and also MIF but if you follow my blog .. and videos you will notice how utterly BORING both of those things are to watch.  Unless you have someone following you with a camera .. Ice dance practice just isn’t feasible.