Hi all!
As most of my readers know (because I assume you are all adult skaters too!), most of the ice rinks across the nation have closed for awhile. If you are like me, you are already going through withdrawals. We were all working on things (new programs, jumps, spins, and other skills) and it's really frustrating to be forced to stay at home when all we want to do is work on improving our skating skills. Although we cannot train on the ice right now, there are loads of other things we can do to keep some of our progress going!
Off-Ice: Remember all of the "Skate Forever Strong" stuff we did earlier this year? Keep it going! There are plenty of off ice workouts we can do so that we don't lose our mobility, flexibility, and strength! Mix it up and do something different each day. Yesterday, I did an hour of "Just Dance 2019" on our Wii and today I went for a long walk. Tomorrow I might go for a run and do some stretching. Perhaps browse YouTube for some fun new workouts that target different areas. One of my goals was to get back into ballet this year, and even though the studios are closed right now along with the rinks, there are loads of ballet classes and workouts online (I really like The Lazy Dancer! Highly recommend!).
Watch some Skating: Keep the passion going and get inspired by watching some old skating competitions of yourself competing or some of the current or past figure skating greats!
FitBit Challenges! Need a little extra push? I'm on FitBit (look for LibrarianOnIce) and am always up for a good challenge! If you find me on FitBit and tell me you are a skater, I'll add you to the Fitgure Skaters group too!
This blog may be silent for a while as there won't really be much for me to update you on in regards to my on-ice training but I'll be back once things go back to normal. We will get through this! Figure skaters have to be strong and resilient to do what we do so don't forget that, just like everything else...WE GET UP!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Because Corona
I was supposed to get my skates sharpened on the 20th but they texted me and said they are shutting their doors after today and if I don't get my skates in now, they won't get sharpened for a few weeks. I had to send my husband out to get my skates done after he was already settled on the couch in comfy clothes. He had to sit through a traffic jam and I'm sure he's cursing my name as we speak for making him do this on such short notice...because Corona.
I was supposed to have a lesson tomorrow but my rink just announced that it is shutting down for two weeks. I won't get to learn any new choreography or work on problem spots...because Corona.
Not like I was going anyway but I'm sad for my fellow adult skaters who planned on competing at Adult Nationals (and especially sad for those who qualified for championship events). We will all have to just wonder what would have happened...because Corona.
Nobody has access to toilet paper...because Corona.
I went to the grocery story today and was only able to obtain 2 cans of chili, 2 cans of corn, 2 bags of egg noodles, and 2 jars of pasta sauce. I might starve...because Corona.
In work-related news, all of the programs I had planned for March and the first half of April have been canceled including my book club, Virtual Reality Escape Room, Adult Gaming Night, "Harry Potter as a Tool for Social Change", Yoga, and my fully booked "Sew an Infinity Scarf" program on Pi Day... BECAUSE CORONA!
Harrumph...
I was supposed to have a lesson tomorrow but my rink just announced that it is shutting down for two weeks. I won't get to learn any new choreography or work on problem spots...because Corona.
Not like I was going anyway but I'm sad for my fellow adult skaters who planned on competing at Adult Nationals (and especially sad for those who qualified for championship events). We will all have to just wonder what would have happened...because Corona.
Nobody has access to toilet paper...because Corona.
I went to the grocery story today and was only able to obtain 2 cans of chili, 2 cans of corn, 2 bags of egg noodles, and 2 jars of pasta sauce. I might starve...because Corona.
In work-related news, all of the programs I had planned for March and the first half of April have been canceled including my book club, Virtual Reality Escape Room, Adult Gaming Night, "Harry Potter as a Tool for Social Change", Yoga, and my fully booked "Sew an Infinity Scarf" program on Pi Day... BECAUSE CORONA!
Harrumph...
Running it
This morning was the first time I ran my program on my own (or at least what I have of my program so far). A couple of things I've noticed:
1). I'm hella scratchy! I think this is a result of me not really being comfortable with this program yet so I'm riding my toepicks way more than I should because I'm scared of speed. Which brings me to...
2). I need a lot more speed! I've been running this program in the small space of my living room so speed isn't needed and I'm able to hit my marks. But this doesn't translate to the ice very well. I need to pick up the pace quite a bit in order to be where I need to be when I need to be there.
3). I can grab in time! I had no issues with the cross grab spiral at all and the loop jump right after is fine. Yay!
4). My wonky camel still needs more work.
5). My choreographic step sequence was fine on solid ground but is REALLY bad on the ice.
6). I remembered everything!
I did two runs because they were both pretty short. I only have about 40 seconds of choreography so far so I'm hoping we can add more tomorrow during our lesson. Ugh, this needs so much work.
1). I'm hella scratchy! I think this is a result of me not really being comfortable with this program yet so I'm riding my toepicks way more than I should because I'm scared of speed. Which brings me to...
2). I need a lot more speed! I've been running this program in the small space of my living room so speed isn't needed and I'm able to hit my marks. But this doesn't translate to the ice very well. I need to pick up the pace quite a bit in order to be where I need to be when I need to be there.
3). I can grab in time! I had no issues with the cross grab spiral at all and the loop jump right after is fine. Yay!
4). My wonky camel still needs more work.
5). My choreographic step sequence was fine on solid ground but is REALLY bad on the ice.
6). I remembered everything!
I did two runs because they were both pretty short. I only have about 40 seconds of choreography so far so I'm hoping we can add more tomorrow during our lesson. Ugh, this needs so much work.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Don't Look Down
Lesson today!
Movez - We started with some Silver MITF since we haven't touched them in a while. There were some things I wanted him to look at that I think went a little downhill since the last time he saw them. We began with the cross strokes. The forward strokes really need more of an emphasis on the underpush extension and the backward strokes were a little rushed. I think I'm rushing them because I feel like I'm loosing momentum so I really need to make the push stronger and then hoooold the free leg out before bringing it back for the stroke. Next up were the power pulls. We didn't look at the backward pulls because I think I'm doing okay on those but the forward pulls need a lot more work. I had a couple on my good leg where I could hear the rip but mostly I'm just snaking along and not pulling enough. These are getting there, though, and they are definitely better now than when I started working on them in the fall.
Jumpz - I just wanted him to take a look at the flip jump. I'm still struggling. He says they really aren't that bad but I think he's just being kind. Personally, I think they are a pile of hot trash. Since I've been working on the forward 3 turn entry in practice, I wanted him to look to see if I'm even doing it correctly. He actually prefers this entrance anyway so this is what I'll work on from now on. So, according to Christopher, I need to flatten out the 3 turn, hold the check, and don't mule kick my picking leg out behind me so much. He made a good observation today which kind of changes things. He noticed that when I pick in, I'm looking down at the ice which is causing my upper body to pitch forward. No wonder I'm struggling! I tried another one and forced myself to look out straight ahead and the jump felt much easier! This is something I'm really going to have to remember to focus on in my practice sessions. Hopefully, this one thing will result in some improvement.
Devilz - We talked a bit about which jumps to include. We already have a loop jump and a salchow so he might add a loop-toe combo and a flip jump to round it out. Cool. We were running a bit short on time so we didn't add much to the choreography today but he wanted to add the choreographic step sequence here. So, after I land the salchow, I do a back pivot, step forward cross stroke, RFO 3 turn with pretty extension and arms, step forward onto a LFO with pretty arms, and then RFI twizzle (and I think a ballet jump?). I'm not sure if this is it or if he'll add more. We'll see. That back pivot is going to be a struggle. Ugh.
Movez - We started with some Silver MITF since we haven't touched them in a while. There were some things I wanted him to look at that I think went a little downhill since the last time he saw them. We began with the cross strokes. The forward strokes really need more of an emphasis on the underpush extension and the backward strokes were a little rushed. I think I'm rushing them because I feel like I'm loosing momentum so I really need to make the push stronger and then hoooold the free leg out before bringing it back for the stroke. Next up were the power pulls. We didn't look at the backward pulls because I think I'm doing okay on those but the forward pulls need a lot more work. I had a couple on my good leg where I could hear the rip but mostly I'm just snaking along and not pulling enough. These are getting there, though, and they are definitely better now than when I started working on them in the fall.
Jumpz - I just wanted him to take a look at the flip jump. I'm still struggling. He says they really aren't that bad but I think he's just being kind. Personally, I think they are a pile of hot trash. Since I've been working on the forward 3 turn entry in practice, I wanted him to look to see if I'm even doing it correctly. He actually prefers this entrance anyway so this is what I'll work on from now on. So, according to Christopher, I need to flatten out the 3 turn, hold the check, and don't mule kick my picking leg out behind me so much. He made a good observation today which kind of changes things. He noticed that when I pick in, I'm looking down at the ice which is causing my upper body to pitch forward. No wonder I'm struggling! I tried another one and forced myself to look out straight ahead and the jump felt much easier! This is something I'm really going to have to remember to focus on in my practice sessions. Hopefully, this one thing will result in some improvement.
Devilz - We talked a bit about which jumps to include. We already have a loop jump and a salchow so he might add a loop-toe combo and a flip jump to round it out. Cool. We were running a bit short on time so we didn't add much to the choreography today but he wanted to add the choreographic step sequence here. So, after I land the salchow, I do a back pivot, step forward cross stroke, RFO 3 turn with pretty extension and arms, step forward onto a LFO with pretty arms, and then RFI twizzle (and I think a ballet jump?). I'm not sure if this is it or if he'll add more. We'll see. That back pivot is going to be a struggle. Ugh.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Frustration
The more I do flip jumps, the worse they get. I'm so over it right now. I understand the mechanics, the fear is gone, I'm ready to put it in a program, I'm landing it...why is my technique feeling so unfixable?
I'm also really frustrated with my backward 3 turns. I took a couple of weeks off from working on them to focus on jumps and spins for choreography and they are gone. Just GONE!
Same thing with my backspin. I felt like I was finally making some progress on getting the leg cross but now that is gone too.
But hey, my spirals aren't scary and I can work on those (even the forward cross grab spirals) without feeling like I'm going to die.
Ugh...I'm a mess.
I'm also really frustrated with my backward 3 turns. I took a couple of weeks off from working on them to focus on jumps and spins for choreography and they are gone. Just GONE!
Same thing with my backspin. I felt like I was finally making some progress on getting the leg cross but now that is gone too.
But hey, my spirals aren't scary and I can work on those (even the forward cross grab spirals) without feeling like I'm going to die.
Ugh...I'm a mess.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Don't miss the Grab!
Lesson today!
Flipz - We started with the flip jump. It still needs so much work! I'm rushing into the mohawk and then I'm rushing right after it to pick in and then I'm rushing the rotation. Rush rush rush. I also need to vault more and not rotate my free leg around so much. The more we picked it apart, the more frustrated I became with it. I thought getting over the fear of this jump was my primary problem but it turns out that my technique just really sucks and that's what is making this so scary. It really doesn't need to be like this. I understand the proper technique, I just can't get my body to actually do it. I have never been so frustrated with a jump as I am with the flip. Ugh.
Devilz - With that out of the way, we started back again with the choreography. I put on the sash and ran it with the music with the steps that I have learned up to this point and then we added more. Right after I land the loop jump, I do some fancy arms and then push under for the wind up into the camel spin (no backward crossovers!). Insert some sassy arms after that and right into a salchow (again, no backward crossovers to enter the salchow. Just an LFO 3 turn and jump!). We ran it once more with the music to see how the additional choreography fits in and then we were done for the day. Whew! It's just one element after another so I feel like there is no room to make a misstep anywhere. That's anxiety inducing! Also, my forward cross grab spiral is a thing to be concerned about. If I miss the grab, there's no time to reach for it again so it has the potential to just not happen if I can't grab in time. Yikes. I need to really get the timing down on this. It's not so much a question of whether or not I can do the spiral but more of can I do it in time.
Overall, there is just a lot packed into this thing and we are only 30 seconds into a 1:50 program! However, I feel sassy as hell skating it and I can't wait until we have the whole thing choreographed and I'm confident enough in my abilities to let the sassy shine through. Here's a picture of the dress. I'm debating adding stones or not. If I do, I'll probably add some jet black Swarovskis to the "veins" and around the perimeter. Or maybe it's good on its own? I'm not sure yet.
Flipz - We started with the flip jump. It still needs so much work! I'm rushing into the mohawk and then I'm rushing right after it to pick in and then I'm rushing the rotation. Rush rush rush. I also need to vault more and not rotate my free leg around so much. The more we picked it apart, the more frustrated I became with it. I thought getting over the fear of this jump was my primary problem but it turns out that my technique just really sucks and that's what is making this so scary. It really doesn't need to be like this. I understand the proper technique, I just can't get my body to actually do it. I have never been so frustrated with a jump as I am with the flip. Ugh.
Devilz - With that out of the way, we started back again with the choreography. I put on the sash and ran it with the music with the steps that I have learned up to this point and then we added more. Right after I land the loop jump, I do some fancy arms and then push under for the wind up into the camel spin (no backward crossovers!). Insert some sassy arms after that and right into a salchow (again, no backward crossovers to enter the salchow. Just an LFO 3 turn and jump!). We ran it once more with the music to see how the additional choreography fits in and then we were done for the day. Whew! It's just one element after another so I feel like there is no room to make a misstep anywhere. That's anxiety inducing! Also, my forward cross grab spiral is a thing to be concerned about. If I miss the grab, there's no time to reach for it again so it has the potential to just not happen if I can't grab in time. Yikes. I need to really get the timing down on this. It's not so much a question of whether or not I can do the spiral but more of can I do it in time.
Overall, there is just a lot packed into this thing and we are only 30 seconds into a 1:50 program! However, I feel sassy as hell skating it and I can't wait until we have the whole thing choreographed and I'm confident enough in my abilities to let the sassy shine through. Here's a picture of the dress. I'm debating adding stones or not. If I do, I'll probably add some jet black Swarovskis to the "veins" and around the perimeter. Or maybe it's good on its own? I'm not sure yet.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Every day I'm Spiraling
This post is pretty much a wrap up of Wednesday and this morning since I forgot to post earlier in the week.
Movez - Everything is progressing along very well but I'm struggling with the backward 3 turns again, mostly the outside ones. To be fair, they have taken a backseat in lieu of focusing on jumps and spins for the program. I have to try to make sure I practice these during every practice or I'm afraid I'll lose them entirely. The forward power pulls are feeling a bit better, though. At least they are not as scary and I'm stronger on my bad leg now so that's progress.
Spinz - So many camels. That's like all I do now. I don't hate it though. As spins go, these are the least burdensome to work on. I'm able to get two revs most of the time now. I'll keep plugging away until I get these to where they need to be. I did some backspins too.
Jumpz - My salchows have been feeling excellent lately! I feel like I'm really holding the entrance and exit of the 3 turn and that is making a big difference in slowing this thing down. Neat! In regards to the other jumps, I have mostly been working on the flip jump. I'm picking out more to the side now but I'm still not getting very far with the jump distance-wise. I discovered this morning that when I'm focusing on my arms, I have better jumps. I think that's part of what Christopher was saying in regards to not trying so hard. Even though my attention was focused elsewhere, my body still did the jump! Maybe I'll just focus on arms when I do this jump...lol .
Devilz - I spent the last 10 minutes of the session on the new program. I'm not running it with music yet because what's the point? Right now I only have the first 15 seconds choreographed. But I practiced what I have so far. I spent extra time on the forward cross grab spiral. Between Wednesday and today, I've been able to feel a little less like I'm going to catch a toepick and die and a little more like "cool, now add some speed." That's the problem, though...speed. I don't have any yet. It's very slow and that spells trouble for the loop jump immediately coming out of it. I know the more I do it, it will speed up but right now, it's a sloth spiral. I've been stretching in the morning and in the evening (and sometimes in the bathroom at work during the day) to get a bit more flexibility in my back. If I have a bendier back, this would be a whole lot easier. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's lesson so we can add some more choreography to this. :)
Movez - Everything is progressing along very well but I'm struggling with the backward 3 turns again, mostly the outside ones. To be fair, they have taken a backseat in lieu of focusing on jumps and spins for the program. I have to try to make sure I practice these during every practice or I'm afraid I'll lose them entirely. The forward power pulls are feeling a bit better, though. At least they are not as scary and I'm stronger on my bad leg now so that's progress.
Spinz - So many camels. That's like all I do now. I don't hate it though. As spins go, these are the least burdensome to work on. I'm able to get two revs most of the time now. I'll keep plugging away until I get these to where they need to be. I did some backspins too.
Jumpz - My salchows have been feeling excellent lately! I feel like I'm really holding the entrance and exit of the 3 turn and that is making a big difference in slowing this thing down. Neat! In regards to the other jumps, I have mostly been working on the flip jump. I'm picking out more to the side now but I'm still not getting very far with the jump distance-wise. I discovered this morning that when I'm focusing on my arms, I have better jumps. I think that's part of what Christopher was saying in regards to not trying so hard. Even though my attention was focused elsewhere, my body still did the jump! Maybe I'll just focus on arms when I do this jump...lol .
Devilz - I spent the last 10 minutes of the session on the new program. I'm not running it with music yet because what's the point? Right now I only have the first 15 seconds choreographed. But I practiced what I have so far. I spent extra time on the forward cross grab spiral. Between Wednesday and today, I've been able to feel a little less like I'm going to catch a toepick and die and a little more like "cool, now add some speed." That's the problem, though...speed. I don't have any yet. It's very slow and that spells trouble for the loop jump immediately coming out of it. I know the more I do it, it will speed up but right now, it's a sloth spiral. I've been stretching in the morning and in the evening (and sometimes in the bathroom at work during the day) to get a bit more flexibility in my back. If I have a bendier back, this would be a whole lot easier. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's lesson so we can add some more choreography to this. :)
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