Test: MITF Pre-Juvenile - part 2

And the results are in... I passed!

I talked about the elements of the Pre-Juvenile tests here, I explained the virtual testing process here, and I talked about the last weeks training for the test here. And here is the video:

The judges scores were mostly zeros, with some -1s balanced by +1s. I've got positive for the first move and the last. Mixed mostly 0s and some -1s for the 3-turns. I've got -1 for the power pulls from all 3 judges for minimal power... And I've got 0s for the back circle eight. That confirmed what I've felt myself, that the moves were correct but without having anything special, like power, extension. confidence. 

But, for me this pass is very special, as I am an adult in my 40s that started skating as an adult, and testing standard track, as the kids test. I fought really hard for my little power and ability to hold extensions. I do plan my next moves test to be on adult track, adult gold. Then I may go back and test Juvenile standard to motivate myself to work on "power" . The juvenile test would have few moves that I would have missed, like the cross rolls, 8 step mohawk  and the back power 3 turns. But firstly I have to have workable boots, only then I can get back to "work"....

To test or not to test?

Should I test the Pre-juvenile MITF? I felt I was ready, in fact I registered to take this test 2 years ago, and there was a problem with the registration and I changed clubs. Then, just as I put myself together to test, I've hurt my hip, ah.. the joy of adult skating... Then Covid hit, rinks closed, then open with restrictions like reduced schedule and coaches not being allowed on ice...Then, as I was starting to feel in shape to test again, I couldn't find a test session in the next two months and so I decided to change my boots (that was December), and as you know, that's not going well. I've got a pair of defective boots, I returned them, started to look for another pair, and while I did put the blade back on my old boot, it didn't feel right so I stopped skating for a month. That put me both in bad skating shape and in bad mood in general. The second pair of new boots I bought was defective too. I put the blade back on my old boot and adjusted the blade myself so I wouldn't take another month break. Actually it would have been more than a month as I wasn't sure what boot model to buy next. 

While back on my old boots... I knew the right booth was collapsed towards inside as I pronate on that foot. I already had wedges to correct that, I added more. I was surprised that I need wedge on the left boot too. I think I collapsed that boot too when my hip was hurt. So I had some kind of alignment, not ideal. I felt I could do most of my old exercises but I didn't trust the boots to go fast, to push for new staff and progress... I started to get unmotivated, I've stopped the lessons. I was mostly skating around while talking to friends.

Then I found new boots. I was cautiously optimistic... But what if these are gonna have some problems? How will I motivate myself to continue? I decided to delay changing the blade on the new boots for two weeks and take advantage of the new possibility to record tests and submit it virtually. I talked about virtual testing here. 

I recorded the test! Unfortunately my friend that recorded it didn't know the exercises and missed me from the viewfinder a little. That, combined with the fact that the new boots felt reasonably good, made me postpone the decision of sending the test to be judged. There is a period of 30 days from when a test is recorded to be sent in.

And then, the boots didn't go so well. It is the insole mostly... at least that is what I hope. I cannot lace my boots tight enough without proper arch support, if I try, I collapse my arch and my feet start to hurt, cramp and freeze. I started to get frustrated and unmotivated. So I went back to the thought of sending the test to be judged to hopefully pass and motivate me, or at least keep my mind occupied and distracted from still adjusting to the new boots for two week, while I'll get the results. 

I've asked my coach (that I haven't seen from December) to watch it, and he agreed that it's a good effort and the video taping is not terrible. So I've sent the video to be judged!  I should have the result in around two weeks... I'll share the video soon, I just want to edit it and take out the personal info that I needed to put in for the virtual test.

Fingers crossed!

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

Last month I was back on my old boots, and as they didn't feel very secure I wasn't able to skate for progress. I'm grateful that I was still able to enjoy skating in the form of social skating, you know... skating around while talking to people, with some skating exercises forced in. Meanwhile, I kept researching how boots from different manufacturer fit. I closed in into Harlick and SP Teri. Harlick boots would have to be ordered and would take two months, while I found a bootfiter that has many SP Teri boots in stock, so I went to check them out, and we have a winner! Hopefully...

Plans for this month? I'm really really happy I'm able to enjoy skating without getting frustrated that I don't progress, and I cannot even work for progress.

But, being that I found new boots, and I'm feeling very anxious about breaking them in, and the possibility of them not fitting in the end. I thought I should try to put the Pre-Juvenile moves test together on my old boots, film it and submit it for virtual judging. It feels like a swan song... a last effort on unstable but familiar boots, before going into the unknown new boots. I videoed myself with the phone set on the boards and the test looked correct but timid. I'm thinking that the thought I'll test will give me motivation to work on that, well, to work on something, because as I said, lately I was mostly just skating around.

The rest of the month will be spent breaking in the new boots...

Working on MITF Pre-Juvenile and 5 minutes warm-up

 On the private lesson I've filled in my coach about the intention to test the moves and we ran all the test. We didn't have time to talk after, so I don't know his opinion if I'm ready or not to test. I've made some uncharacteristic mistakes. I think I've put a little more oomph into everything and that made me lose a little from the precision. Anyhow,  here are the corrections:

• Crossovers: Fill the corner when finishing the backward ones and take the back crossovers around the end of the rink. It is the second time it happens when I show him this move, that I put too much power when I start the back crossovers, and I'm getting more speed and bigger lobes than I'm used to, and I think I'ms getting afraid I'll run out of ice... I think this is a strong move, the speed and power are a plus, the cutting of the corner would be fine for the test. My problem here is, that I don't need that uncertainty and stress that I'll run off ice... I need this move smooth, to keep my cool for the rest of the test.
• 3-turns: I always get correction on 3-turns, but I did the pattern, without stumbles and with flow. Anyway here are the corrections I've got on the 3-turns: FO 3s Lift over hip, the free skate touches the skating skate, after turn, the skating skate and knee pushes into the free skate and knee. Don't extend the free leg so high, it destabilizing the exit edge. BI 3s Don't drop free hip, push hip under at turn, let the exit edge run. FI 3s After the turn the free skate pushes into the skating one. Turn on the ball, not middle of blade. BO 3s Hold the leading arm higher, turn  under it.
• Power pulls: were fine. Again I've put a little more knee bend and power then usually, and I've got off rhythm on the backward ones, but I've self corrected. Correction from the coach on the backward ones, alight and pull the  shoulders back over the edges
• Backward circle eight was fine, as it always is... But I've lost my focus and I made the last one bigger... 
• 5 step mohawk  we didn't have time for it, but it was good move for a long while.

I'll keep up the good work for this test. Each skating session, I'll start with the "5 minutes warmup" and continue immediately with the rest of the elements for this test to mimic what the conditions of the actual test.

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

I write a post with this title at the beginning of each month... it is supposed to be a monthly review. I find it fitting that is has "adjustment" in the title, as that seams to be the main skating related effort I put in these days.

I'm happy to report that the covid cases dropped in my area. We are still under heavy restrictions waiting to see what will be the impact of the Thanksgiving travel and gatherings. So my home rink is still closed, but there are still rinks open for practice ice. Last month I went  skating twice  a week to the rink where I used to take private lessons. Last week I even added a lesson.

I'm putting as much effort as I can into MITF Pre-Juvenile test preparation. I'm trying to test this for more then a year, from last summer, when something went wrong with the registration, then I've hurt my hip, then the winter holiday season slowed me down, then covid happened, then I've got to get back the skills and confidence, then I had blade problems, now, the test sessions are scarce and they fill out the moment they are announced. I want to be ready to test, so when a test is announced I can register immediately.

Lately I've started each skating session with the "5 minutes warm up" for the test that I've described in my last post,  and the test. Then I've worked on the test on the skills I've felt I needed improvement (mostly the 3-turns). Then I did something else (spins, the slow new skills I'm learning), then I went back to the 3-turns. I'll keep up the good work for this test, I'll continue starting with it each skating session.

What I'll add, is the Nutcracker exibition program. I stopped working at it two weeks ago, as the rink that organizes it closed, but it seams it's happening!  The rink did close, but then they allowed private rentals, including private lessons. For the exhibition, the skaters will be staggered, in 10 minutes intervals. Each skater should come fully dressed, skates on, 20 minutes in advance her skating time, warm up for 10 minutes on the second rink, then move on the big rink, do her number (2 minutes), then leave. Each skater can have 2 people with her, and the coach. The event will be live streamed. It sounded a little weird at first, then, I thought that it's gonna actually be sweet, like a private moment for each skater and very immediate family or friends.

Going back to the program... I'm gonna do my old pre-bronze freestyle program, the only program I ever had, on Nutcracker music. I want to challenge myself and add a back spin at the end. My back spin is consistent at this point, but I do it on a line and with a slow entrance. I've had mixed results when I've tried it from steps, with a shorter and faster entrance. I also want to finish the spin with the free leg inside, so I can do a back pivot after, and I keep forgetting that. I'm used to the landing position exit. The rest of the program elements should be fine, but I haven't practice the program from when I tested it, so I hesitate at points, it takes me a second to remember what comes next. And I have other challenges... Firstly, the music it's a little longer, the rhythm it's a little faster, so I think I'll have to add some moves to fill the program. To complicate things, the music doesn't have strong sections, but it's kind of one tone, so it doesn't help me structure the program and look for points to check my timing. I'll have to try it many many times and see what I can fit in and what not. And... at the rink where I skate now, it is complicated to put music, I'll have to try earbuds... I'm planning to skate 4 session until the exhibition and I'll do my best.

I also want a new dress and if you remember, I sew them myself. I had a dream of a silver gray lace and mesh ethereal one, but besides the fact I won't have the time to make it as it's a bit complicated, I also think it may not be a good fit for the occasion. I've also wished for a very simple, like stark simple, white dress. I hope I can make that. If not, I'll use the old gold dress. 

The goal for this Nutcracker exhibition was to get joy and I'm determined to let it be a joyful process even if the choreography, the skating elements and the dress won't be perfect... 

The second part of this month should be mostly about moves. Plus, I'm gonna add it here as a goal, so I won't forget... I have to work on the loop jump consistently. I want eventually to be able to have Bronze Freestyle program and I need the loop jump for that.

Taking it easy

I'm taking it easy with my skating, not by choice, and I'm not happy about it. 

I've told you in my last post that my home rink closed and it is not easily doable for my life to go four  times a week to a 45 minutes away rink. I would have probably done it if I could have work towards testing the moves on December 15th. My skating was going well lately I think I could have put myself together for that test. But... I've asked last week-end and the registration was already full and closed. The registration usually opens 4 weeks before the test, and this December 15 one, filled in 3 weeks before the test, so in one week. I'll have to be prepared for the next test session to sign up when the registration opens.

Las two weeks, from skating four times a week, including a half hour private lesson, I've gone to skating Mondays and Fridays. However unhappy I am to drive so far, it seems I'm even more unhappy to skate twice a week. So I'm thinking, depending on how I feel on Mondays to add either Tuesdays and take a lesson, either Wednesday...

I'm still gonna start each skating session with the moves test. That is the "5 minutes warm up" and the test. The idea is to mimic the test conditions, when I'll have to do moves after warming them up for just 5 minutes. I am adjusting my 5 minutes warm up from what I had and described here. I used to feel the need to do the edge presses in order to wake up my alignment for  the 3-turns. Now I don't feel I need those anymore. I feel I need to warm up more at speed, to get the knees soft, at speed. This is what I have for now.  

• I still start with the slalom, but I may do just forward, to gain time, but also because while the backward slalom is useful for posture alignment, if there are skaters in my way, I cannot do it well anyhow.
• I think I'll do the whole forward line of the crossovers to inner edge (I used to do half and change to backwards).  I feel I can actually warm up with that and that change at the middle made me slow down.
• I'll stop the backward crossovers at half line and do the figure eight in the middle of the rink. I feel that the rink will be empty at that point.
• Then I'll do the edge pulls, full pattern
• Then, the 3-turns. My coach taught me to do 4 of the first pattern, then to go a little back so I can  do 4 of the next pattern on the same line. I used to loose time finding that places, but I'm getting better. Then the other line...
• I don't feel I need to warm up the 5 step Mohawk and I won't probably have time for it anyway

After I'll skate through the whole test, I'll work on what I feel like... These last few time that included 3-turns and the slow new things, double 3-turns, brackets, twizzles, power 3-turns, back cross rolls, the Foxtrot Mohawk and dropped 3-turns for the European Waltz, spins and the Tenfox. I'll have to add the jumps, at least those that I need in the exhibition on Nutcracker music that might or might not happen. The rink that organizes that exhibition is closed until December 4th, at which point they'll reconsider, so I'll know soon enough.

First lesson after the break

I've got to skate on my own four times before I've had a lesson. As I told you in the previous post, some things felt better then before the 3 months break. Not the speed and power, but the balance and alignment. I was very eager to see my coach to get feedback on if I truly improved my alignment and how bad is my power, speed and extension...

I decided to use this first lesson for the MITF exercises from the Pre-Juvenile test. I will mention that at this rink, coaches are not allowed on ice, they teach from the hockey box, or by the doors, I was skeptic on how this will work. Only 10 skaters total are allowed on ice, all students.

1. Forward and backward crossovers on lobes holding the inside edge. For forward I was reminded to start the inside edge perpendicularly away from the axis, so I'll get to set a good inside edge.On the backward ones, while I understood theoretically, I've never truly felt that I've done well the weight transfer for the inner edge. And now I did, it needed a wider step then I used to do so the weight could go solidly on that side while being on an inside edge. Before, I either steeped on an outside edge, or to correct that I wasn't transferring all the weight to that side, so to force the edge I was twisting the upper body too much. My coach also hasn't mentioned anything about power, I know that The moment to work on it will come in the future, but it confirms to me that it is not appalling.

2. Forward outside to backward inside 3-turns. The first two I was in my head as I knew the coach was watching... and I haven't rotated the upper body enough, but I self corrected, and they all when well. I've got the correction to extend less, as it makes me lean forward with the upper body.

3. Forward inside to backward outside 3-turns. The only correction was on my best of these 3-s... On the left forward inside, on the exit edge I was holding the free leg to much to the back, making the edge too deep., so I have to hold the free leg more to the side... no problem. Everything else fine! I asked.... ok how slow are they, because that was an issue in the past when I was getting them ready for test. He said, well, they are slow, but you are not a freestyle, the judges shouldn't mind.

4. Power pulls, forward great. Backward, I never truly got them, but again, I feel I understood now a little better. I knew I was using the upper body too much and I also was leaning forward. Now, as my coach demonstrated in the hockey box, I saw more clearly the hips movement. He also said it should feel like a hop. I did a little better, still leaning forward. I'm thinking next time when I'm on ice to try to hold the free foot bent near the skating foot. It may be that I extend too much and that makes me lean forward.

5. Back circle eight. Outside is really good. Inside, it slows down after 2/3rds, to the point that if I don't get a very good push, I'm always worried if I'll make it all the way around. I've got the same corrections that I've always got: that I'm leaning outside of the circle as I move the upper body and bring the foot in after the half circle, and that I'm opening the free hip.

6. I haven't got a chance to do the 5 step mohawk, but that was generally good before.

So I'm filing all the moves in my head as on the right track! If I would have my coach available once a week, I think I would be tempted to work at them to test them. But, I'll see my coach only twice more. I misunderstood that he said he'll be at that particular rink for the entire summer, and I've bought ice only for June. Now, of course July and August ice is sold out. Hopefully as more rinks open we'll find ice that works for both of us and I can add more lessons.

Anyhow, coming back to testing, I definitely don't want to get caught up again in working at my skating so hard (for progress or for passing tests) that I lose the joy, so I'm welcoming the fact that I don't even have the possibility to test soon, to hopefully figure up a skating rhythm that will suit me better than the one I had before.

I'm also happy to report that I've skated now 6 times, and I'm mostly pain free! While skating, I'm not holding the extensions for now, I hope until I get to really get to work on dances to build the muscles needed. I also started this new skating journey by taking it easy, by holding back on bending the knees too much, so I'll give the quads a chance to strengthen. I'm adding more  knee bend on each skating session. After skating, I fell my left thigh and hip tighten,  so I stretch after immediately and I roll when I get home.

For now, all is well in my skating world.

Test: MITF Pre-Juvenile part 1

I skated 3 times last week and the hip was fine. My plan is to listen to my body, but ideally I would like to skate at least 4 times a week. I'm working mostly on MITF Pre-Juvenile that was ready for testing at the beginning of the summer but my registration didn't go trough for that session. I plan to test it as soon is revived, the moves are there, but again I'm lacking power.

I'll describe the elements of the test now, and when I'll take it, I'll describe how it all went.

This is a standard test. I've worked on it with pauses, for almost 2 years. I've got the moves rather quickly (like 6 months) but not the power that is asked at this level. And then I hurt my hip and I couldn't work on power...

Here is the judging form where there are drawings with the pattern for each move.

1. Forward and Backward Perimeter Power Stroking (focus on power, F: extension, B: edge quality)
- I do 4 intro strokes then 2 forward crossovers CCW. That is on half the hockey circle (that I will call a lobe) and brings me to the imaginary axis where I do an right inside edge for the first half of the lobe. The next half of the lobe would be a CW crossover. Then a new lobe with a left inside edge and again a CCW crossover.
- Important thing here is the power. Both the first stroke of the crossover and the second one, the under push, need to be pressed and pushed. Speed and lean into the circle will help the power.
- The inside edge need to start at the axis, stroking perpendicular to the axis and the blade should be placed on an inside edge. Update on Nov 2019 to press the inside edge (both forward and backward) and to use the energy from each stroke into the next stroke
- Extension and pointed toe are expected on each of the crossovers strokes and on the inside edge.
- The crossovers strokes are 1 beat each, the inside edge is 2 beats.
- After the last CCW crossover that ends at the axis the end pattern is another crossover and a stroke of 2 beats, right inside mohawk
- The backward line starts with 2 back crossovers CCW (1 beat each stroke) that brings me around at the axis (correction to square the upper body and arms), where a power inside edge is done hold for 2 beats (pull the shoulder and arm back). Then the weight is transferred for the CW back crossover.
- When I started working on this test I thought this was the easiest move from the test, but I've got so many corrections... Looking back is was all about the second stroke on both forward and backward crossovers being whimper and shorter. Of course to fix that I needed a strong alignment on the edge on the first stroke, allowing the upper body to move around the circle, hips under, lean, speed...
2. Forward Outside to Backward Inside 3-turns in the field (focus on edge quality)
- These are quite big lobes, bigger then what I was doing before. Of course I needed a bigger push and that was hard to control at first. 
- Important things are to turn the 3s at the top of the lobe, control the edges, start the lobe perpendicular to the axis, don't do 2 foot transitions
- Here are some corrections and tips, from the millions I've got: turn your head, align the upper body with the circle (at first I was pointing with the arm to the center of the circle to be sure I twisted enough), have the upper body parallel with the boards just before turning, feel the blade parallel to the boards before turning, free hip up, don't think of turning but thing of going back/ forward, count, look up (of course..). The latest tip was that the back shoulder turns the 3-turn... 
- I hurt my hip on a back inside 3-turn, but it wasn't the 3-turn, it was another skater that came with some speed way to close to me and spooked me. After that I was always extra cautions working on these to not be close to people, but how realistic is that? And you cannot work on alignment awareness, while twisting to see who is in your way...
- The hip hurt at different intensities for a year (and it still hurts occasionally). All the 3-turns on that hip (left), disintegrated at points because I wasn't committing in transferring the weight solid on that hip...
- Even without the hip trouble, when  started working at this test I thought these 4 lines of 3-turns were the hardest move of the test.
- Update Nov 2019 for the FO 3-turn. I've been recently asked to press the edge in and out of the 3-turn and  I couldn't do it at first. I was stroking, then releasing the pressure into ice, then press just before the turn, then releasing the pressure at the turn. To make myself hold the pressure I hold the extension longer (that I was asked anyhow to do), until the turn and that made it basically a Ice Dancing 3-turn. So, I've got corrected again, to bring the feet together, when closing to turn, with the skating foot still bent from the stroke, because it is more stable, the to rise o turn, while still pressing into the ice (whaaat? I was doing the opposite, I was releasing the pressure), then bend again. I'm wondering when I will finally understand correctly what I have to do?
3. Forward Inside to Backward Outside 3-turns
- Same (similar) as before...
- My worst 3-turn is the LFI one. The corrections I've got are to really turn my head before the turn and to not drop the right shoulder.
4. Forward and Backward Change of Edge Pulls (focus on power)
- Instructions I remember: set the edge first, press and fall into the edge/bend and pull up, hips underneath, on forward ones keep knees together, point the toe and direct it over the tracing of the circle, on the back inside that means pigeon toe. On the back ones the last piece of advice was to rotate the upper body from the shoulders not just the arms.
- My instructor doesn't feel terrible unhappy about these but I think the kids have more power and speed then me...
- I surely could have practice these more, if it wasn't for the quads burn... And don't get me started on the backward on the bad hip. I think I've aborted half of them...
5. Backward Circle Eight (focus on edge quality)
- These is the hardest move of the test in my coaches opinion. And I've learnt he's always right... So I started to get around the circles fairly quick... somehow.  And I've worked on it  a lot even when the hip was hurt because it didn't bother me. To be honest I still get corrections on this. 
- The first thing is the backward push, not straight back but at a 90 degrees. And there are 2 secrets: don't transfer the weight to the new foot until the push is completed and pigeon toe the new skating foot and lead with the heal.
- Then, for the edges there is the alignment and where your weight falls so you are over your skating hip, and keep the free hip up. There is also the lean, slightly towards the inside of the circle, but definitely not outside the circle because it's taking you of the edge. One tip was not to turn around at the middle but to lift over the hip, bring the free foot straight into the skating foot.
- Then, there is use oh head movement
- Then arms and foot coordination 
- The inside edge got more corrections. Firstly to push back not around and to look outside the circle immediately after the push, that was kind of scary somehow. Then to really keep the free foot over the tracing and at the middle of the circle to bring it straight into the other foot, without changing the hips position. Then, allow the upper body and hips to get square to the tracing of the circle.
6. Five step Mohawk sequence (focus on edge quality and extension)
- There is an inside mohawk, a back outside edge, step forward om an outside edge, and forward inside edge with the free foot forward.
- This requires even steps so an even count to 5. 
- The back edge should fall exactly at the middle of the lobe.
- I didn't get many correction on this. At some point I was making it quick and it looked stepped so my coach wanted more flow. But I've got the BIG correction: to look up! My continuous battle...

Many shades of disapointment

The test I was supposed to take this week-end, I'm not taking because of some registration trouble. I did mention last month about disagreeing with my club board. That makes the registration trouble feel personal, even if it may be not.

Lately I've got so much knowledge about how the skating world functions (rinks, clubs, judging, interests, volunteering) and I find a lot of it toxic. So clubs activity, tests, competitions and judging are all done by volunteers. And some of the things get done very late or never or not well. I find it frustrating that the biggest effort that the skating world puts, is to not get on the wrong foot with the others, instead of actually getting things done.

There are lots of winter movies that I love. One is Mystery Alaska. There is a scene when a lawyer describes the skaters in Alaska, "they skate to skate, they don't make a million bucks". I skate to skate. But there is no way to avoid interaction with the skating world and it may not be worth it for me.  I'm using this moment, when I feel emotional detached from skating to analyze it. To be honest, I always felt that skating is missing something. So either I find it and I find a way to detached myself from the toxicity around me, either I let it go. And yes, I'm prepared to let it go if it's gonna come to it.

Skating takes lots of effort, time, preparation, money. Is it worth it? Is there something else that I could do instead?

I skate because I love how it feels. I love many things, but skating is a physical activity so I'll compare it with other physical activities I do. Skiing, yoga, ballet. Skiing I love even more then skating, but it is not a constant in my life as I don't live close to the mountains. Yoga I loved but I don't like the heat in general, and usually yoga is done in a warm room, also I felt I needed to do it at least 3 times a week to maintained the strength, and  I used most of my time for skating. So I gave it up for fear of not hurting myself by overstretching. Ballet I love too, it has the same issue that would need more practice then the once a week I do. But if I would let skating go I could put that time and money into yoga, ballet and dance. Anyhow, what do they have all in common? They engage the body, the mind and do I dare to say the soul? The skiing is done in nature, that wakes up my spirit. Yoga is a spiritual activity. Ballet is art, art is expressing yourself. While skating has the programs with costume and music I feel they are even at high level missing true emotions. But whatever skating is for anybody else, I think I need to be able to put some soul, spirit, self expression into it in order to feel satisfied. I thought about this before but maybe not so clearly.

I was using the testing process to motivate myself. I theoretically can register now to test somewhere else in about a month so it shouldn't bother me that I'm not testing now. Practically is not that simple, or maybe I'm making it complicated. The membership with USFSA expires at the end of the month, so I'll have to register probably directly with them as I'm not keen to join another club. It is gonna be a little more expensive, like an equivalent of 3 private lessons. It is not a tragedy. The problem is that the summer ice schedule is different and I usually have difficulty adjusting, I'm usually loosing my skating rhythm. I don't need that before a test. But the bigger problem is that I may have lost the respect for the testing process. I'll have to answer myself that. But if I don't test how will I track my progress? Also I fell the coaches, my coach included are used to work following the testing levels.

I've asked myself before, what is the technical level needed as a foundation that would provide enough skills to express yourself. There was a learning period in skiing, yoga, and only then it became satisfying. I'm still very much a very beginner in ballet. And I'm somehow enjoy it even if I don't have the technique figured out. In skating I put way more emphasis on progress, is it too much? I asked myself this before also, and my answer was that I haven't reached my potential yet, I'm not happy with the level I'm at and I'm willing to put in the work, time and money for progress.

It seams that the main new thing in the equation of the positives and negatives aspects of the skating is the toxicity I felt in the skating world. How sad would be for that to stop me doing something I love. To add to that would be the question if giving up skating would free up time, money and the schedule constraints for activities that would make me happier.

My car broke down and because I don't test, I canceled my lesson that for the summer is at a  further away rink. I could still skate at my home rink. But there is an exposition I want to see down town and then a free concert with Yo-Yo Ma. Even without having having to test I would have chosen to skate as it takes that commitment to progress. Well, not today...

Mid month update

These last 2 weeks were again, just ok... The reason is the same, I'm tired, I don't get enough sleep. It seems that in order to skate well, I would need uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep. And I'm registered to test the Pre-Juvenile MITF next week-end.

The good news is that I've had a good skating day each week. That keeps me confident. But that's what I've used those 2 days for, to keep my confidence up. Instead, I should have organized and get myself together for the test. I was planing at the end of last month  to slow down and rework some technique and alignment and that didn't go that well. Now was the time to put together everything, see what levels of precision and power I can do at the same time, kind of marrying them. So that's my problem right now. Sometimes when I get more power I lose my balance and put the foot down. That's an automatic negative score... But then again, I cannot pull back too much from the power as it is a requirement of the test.

The other 2 days I skated on my own each week were hang in there days. I think it was still better then not skating at all. On a somehow positive note, those tired days accentuated my weakest skills, so in a way it pinpointed were I needed  extra work and corrections from my coach.

On the private lesson days I choose to skate just the half hour lesson, no warm up. By warm up I mean working on my own for half hour before the lesson. And that's because on the lessons on the weeks before I was tired from my half hour working on my own. I think it was a good decision.

On my lesson 2 weeks ago, my coach wanted a full performance of the test starting with pretending I look at the judges for the nod to start, the lifting of the arms and en engaging the posture, the confident intro steps and the powerful ending steps. We worked on these before but he gave me extra feedback on how he wants me to display power after each move. Also he pointed 2 spots where he suggested I take a deep breath. And one feels almost sneaky. I used to go to my starting point, assume the posture, lift the hand and then look at the judges. He said, to skate casually at the starting point, look at the judges, and when I have their attention, assume the posture, lift the arms and take a breath... It makes such a difference. He also wants me to put in an ending pose after my t-stop when I finish each move, so I can take a breath right there. If you red my post about my first MITF test, these intro and ending "presentation" used to stress me so much. Now I can actually use them in my benefit.

On my lesson last week he said to stop after each move for corrections. And that gave me some of that test organizing that I was seeking. I've realized a while ago that I need same key words/ reminders to help at a certain point in a dance. My choreographer for the Freestyle program actually said he was using them himself and suggested  places in the programs and words to use. Not to many, or it will  stop being useful. So I've got some "reminders" for each move now:
1. Power crossovers (reminder for backward, posture- push hips underneath).
2.3. The 3-turns were rushed, and on the backwards one I'm turning often before the middle of the lobe. I told my coach that it was a crowded sessions and I was eager to turn so I won't bump into somebody, and you know, fall and hurt my hip. He said excuses, excuses... But with what feedback he gave me I was able to choose one instruction/ thought that helps. On all of them I have to really look at the boards to be parallel with them. This also help my posture be erect.  For RFO is to let the left shoulder get back. For LFI is to turn my head to the right.
4. The power pulls, on all of them fall into the edges and lift up. Forward were fine (coach says hips forward but I would rather remember core engaged), backward there was always somebody in my way. I wouldn't say I'm worried about them, but I don't remember when was the last time I did them without obstacles, so really do them. Reminder: shoulders back.

5. On the back circle eight I'm just chocking when the coach is watching. Actually my theory is that the ice is more chopped then I'm used on my regular sessions.  Also, the coach is coaching me trough it, so I feel I'm letting go on the balance and concentration as I try to hear him and incorporate what he is saying. Excuses? I don't think so, because when I do it on my own, is fine! Reminder: posture (and look up). I feel that if I'm erect the push is good, and the alignments is good.
6. On the last move he always wants something more, like flow, power, look, up, sell it, but there is no specific instruction, But to be honest is the last one and I'm probably giving up a little. So, I cannot do the at at the test. Reminder: don't give up.

The very bad news is that the schedule at my rink changes this coming week and while there are few practice sessions I don't know which of them will be less crowded. On a crowded one I don't think I can do much good. And my lesson is at another rink. So yeah, ready or not.. here I come...

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

Last month went like this: the two weeks in the middle were great, the first and last week of the month not so much. The problem with these two not so good weeks was that th rink a different schedule, so I've got to skate less and I also lost my rhythm.

MITF: The skating that I did, went almost entirely towards the moves and the coach agreed that I am ready to test, well, unless I have a bad day. So I'm registered to test at the end of this month.

And talking about bad days, this last week I really didn't skate too well. I'm trying to find explanations on why, so I don't get discouraged... Firstly, mid month the coach didn't ask about more power so I thought I'll take the opportunity to work on perfecting things, mainly the alignment. Then, I was tired. I think the combination of the two (not purposely pushing so letting go of some speed, but then pushing even less than I thought I was, because I was tired), made my skating hesitant. Also, maybe I'm getting a little bored with these moves. I had few runs that went really well so in my mind, I think I've got them. But I have to still stick with them for a full month for the test.

Just 2 posts ago I talked about power in figure skating. And this last week was such an awareness. My coach's approach for progress in skating is to work on precision and then to work on speed. Of course with more speed you lose from the precision, so then you need to start working on it again, and so forth. That doesn't mean to totally let go of the speed... I think this last week I made the mistake of letting go of too much from the speed. But the edges are hold better at speed. I'm very curious to check this theory this week.

One thing worth mentioning, is that my coach made me work on the 5 minutes warm up that I'll do on the test day. The elements in the test are around 10 minutes, so there is no time to time to do all of them and there is no time to warm-up. My first tries were around 7 minutes, so I needed to cut a lot. Now I've got it down to 5 minutes but I still play with the order I do them. My coach said to consider that on the test day the other skaters probably will follow the test order so it may be better to do the same. So on the test day I'll have to warm up of ice. Then, on ice, I'll have to use some of the elements as a warm up, in the sense that I shouldn't try to do them well but just get used with the ice. The power crossovers are one like that, but I do just one line, first half forward, second half backward. I do the next line edge presses, 2 outside forward, 2-4 backward outside, the rest of the space backward inside.  These allow me to work on my alignment. I need them... Then I do the 3 turns, but just one of each. If I have problems with one of them I have time to do it again. Next would be the power pulls, back circle 8 and 5 step mowhak.

Ice Dancing: I did occasionally some warm up lines of chasses, progressives, swing rolls and the Ten Fox (the last of the Bronze dances I have to test) so I don't totally forget it. Some days it actually went good. Some days... you know... not. What I found myself drown to, were the dropped 3-turn for the European Waltz that I'll start working on after I finish with this Ten Fox. The Pre-Silver dances are way more interesting. Harder too, of course. But if my interest is high I work harder too.

Freestyle: I let it go again... I did some spins (forward and backward) and a Waltz Jump here and there. And I've run my program just once.

As for the plan for the next month, I do have to keep the moves a priority. The ice schedule will change middle of the month, and as the kids will be on vacation there is no way to know which sessions will be crowded and which not. So, I cannot count on that ice, I'll have to be really for the test by the middle of the month. 

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

MITF: Last month I skated Monday, Wednesday, Friday on my own and I had my lessons on Thursday. The plan was to push the MITF to hopefully have Pre-Juvenile ready for testing for June. And that's what I did.  Each day I started with the moves and I stayed with them as long as the ice wasn't too crowded and I wasn't too tired. And every single minute in my lessons was about the moves. A miracle has happen! My coach doesn't ask for more power at this point. He still adjusted the inside edge after the back crossovers, I'm missing something there. The 3-turns are quite ok. The backward power pulls on one of the sides (the hurt hip one)  is not on committed edges. He readjusted the initial push on the circle eight and the inside circle hips alignment. On the 5 step Mohawk he keeps asking to look up. And he adds new corrections (over what's necessary for this test). Like on the intro steps that are not judged, to hold the extension on the Mohawk second edge, bring feet together at ankle and start with a  power wide step. I said, "You never asked me that before", he said "Because you couldn't do it before". As we put in new corrections I mess up some things but there is still enough time until the test to be able to bring everything back together.

Then I did Freestyle, spins and jumps:
- Forward Scratch Spin, I'm trying to put more oomph into it. I had during  last year a handful of them that felt quite fantastic, but I wasn't be able to identify what made them better and repeat that. Now I'm starting to get it. Firstly it cannot be done without a strong pressed entrance edge. But then, it's all in the swipe of the free leg around, it's the confidence (tension, stretch, speed) of it and also I try to stop the foot more forward then latterly (as my coach instructed).
- the Back Spin was getting consistent few months ago, but as I stopped working at it consistently when I worked intensely at my Freestyle program, it stopped being consistent. I think I'm also going into it faster then before. So, when I don't abort at the entrance, it goes quite well, but then again, I cannot try the entrance 2 times in a program to get it right. The last instruction from my coach was few moths ago and was just to keep at it and don't go fast. But I really think it's time for updated instruction.
- The Sit Spin... I enter it  just 2 out of 3 tries, then from those entered I get into the position on 1 out of 3 (basically I don't bring the free foot forward enough). And those that happen, are far away from a sitting position. But some days are better then others, so there is definitely hope.
- Waltz Jump. I'm trying to do it from entering with more speed and make it higher. I'll do it in the ice show, 2 or 3 in a row...
- Salchow I do just a couple here and there because my left ankle still feels tight
- the Loop. I've worked on it last time last summer, but just in the group lessons, and it was going consistently 3/4 rotated, occasionally fully rotated. Now it's between 1/2 and 3/4. I've realized recently that before jumping I had my weight on both feet, so maybe working on keeping the weight on the right foot and hip will help...
- the program I did just once a week and without music. I wanted to present it at my rink competition but it seems to be lots of obstacles. The competition is ISI and even if I was tested in my group classes up to FS4, it seems that I have to be re tested and put into the system, starting with Alpha! Alpha trough Delta is pass/retry, but then they need a score for each element. The coaches run the tests and I understand that if they coach you day by day they can fill up the papers. My regular coach is not registered with ISI so he cannot test me. So whoever would test me, would need to see the elements, at least from Fs1 and up. And I think it would take few sessions to get trough everything. Also, the rink asks the coach who enters a student in the competition, to make themselves available for judging. I think it's hard to ask somebody that's not my permanent coach to ruin their weekend, unless I find a coach that already has students in the competition willing to enter me too... The other thing is that the competition is mid June and my MITF test would be a week away towards the end of June and I'm afraid not to get distracted in preparation for the test. And the deadline to enter the competition is May 5...

Ice Dancing I did rarely, at the end, with tired legs. My coach said to not let it go completely, but I'm worrying that I do more harm then good.

The ice show rehearsals go as I expected, unexciting. I think I've outgrown this shows.

The ballet goes so well. It is funny how I'm fighting the turn out (that I do have) because I'm used to keep my feet parallel from skating.

For next month: This first week of the month is weird with the ice show taking over the ice time. But for the rest of the month, the plan is the same: push the moves, keep working at Freestyle and don't let go of Ice Dancing.

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

My goals for last month were:
To take it easy, skate just 3 days a week so my soft tissue hip injury will have a chance to heal. I did this, and I'm felling better, though still not 100%. I couldn't work on power and extension but I did work on posture.

To use the ice show as a learning opportunity. I did control my nerves. I did concentrate on specific goals and I realized that it takes away from the overall performance. Going forward I'll know that I'll have to work on specific things in practice, and to concentrate on being in the moment in performances, tests or competitions. And my technical goal was to put in the scratch spin, and I did.

To balance the skating with other physical activities. I was considering ballet but it didn't work out for my schedule. I did add an once a week yoga session.

Progress? I don't know... I didn't feel that I could work on things, but merely go trough things and I had just 2 lessons.
Freestyle: The scratch spin has definitely improved. As I was learning the scratch spin I was talking a long time to set it so it could center. In performances (the ice show) there is no time for that, but shortening the entrance can either mess up the centering or totally take you out of the spin. On the other hand entering the spin quicker, gives more power, so if centered successfully, it will be a better spin.
I took a lesson mid month and review basics: edges, crossovers, chasses and worked more on the scratch spin and started the back spin. The correction on the scratch spin is to bring in the free foot higher, over the knee and close the hip of the free foot before I bring the leg down.
MITF: Before the injury 2 months ago they felt almost ready to test, the only thing the coach was pushing for, was power. The lesson I took on the last week on the month was concentrating on moves. I feel I actually lost  power, but the coach thought that working on posture helped with being more exact and that will give me confidence in adding power soon. I still got corrections...
-back power crossovers hold the arms in the same position as the crossover while doing the inside edge
-3 turns: hold the first edge extension longer, be more aware where the weigh falls during the turn, don't rush
-back edge pulls: turn the free leg from the hip pigeon toe for inside edge, open toe for outside edge
- on back circle eight inside edge hold the arms towards outside of the circle till the middle
-5 steps mohawk: skate it, don't step, on the back edge push around
Ice Dancing: As I felt I couldn't hold the extensions without pain, and the 3 sessions per week I skated were all crowded, I kind of let the dance training go. I did run trough the dances once in a while.

Goals for this month:
Try to skate 4 days a week and get one lesson every week. That will give me at least a day when the ice is not crowded so I can work on dances. As it doesn't feel I'm close to test anything, I would like to balance the training and lessons between moves, dance and free style. So, start working on free style consistently even if it's just spins while I'm not feeling 100% with my hip to work on jumps. Work on what I can, don't push what I can't!

Continue being aware of the posture! This really seems to help.

Go to the ice rink a little early and warm up off ice.

Yoga also seems to help. I would like to add a second class per week but seems hard to fit in my schedule so I hope I can start doing a little at home.

My progress and tests I passed

The first five years of skating, my progress was very slow. I was talking  Freestyle group lesson and the first 2 years I didn't practice at all, later I started practicing  one hour per week. I realized, if I wanted more, I needed more practice time and a better, way better, technique. Just to be proven right about lacking technique, I hurt my left ankle. I stopped doing jumps and spins and as I didn't know MITF (Moves In The Field) exercises at that point, I was  just skating around. An older skater offered to teach me Ice Dancing pattern dances. Unfortunately she was teaching me mostly the steps in the pattern, not the skating basics technique (edges and turns), that is the foundation of ice dancing.

At this point I started some private lessons with a 17 years young lady that I knew from my Freestyle group classes asking her to teach me flow on ice.  She started me on MITF exercises. It was also the first time I went on practice ice, very crowded and intimidating, but eye opening about how young skaters train. Shortly, they take multiple group lessons (Freestyle, MITF and Ice Dancing) and at least one private lesson weekly,  and they practice every day. They are also in the syncro team  for their level, and they meet twice a week for that.

My young coach was a very accomplished ice dancer and she started teaching me a little of the basics. I also got into a Ice Dancing group lesson summer session, that was full during the rest of the year as it's a mandatory class for the syncro teams. The Ice Dancing class instructor was a national  medalist, amazing skater and very thoughtful teacher. Actually my young coach was her student. I did a couple of ice dancing private lessons with the Ice Dance instructor too. Then some private lessons with a young man that was her student, in order to skate the dances with a partner. It was an exciting time, I was discovering so much! It was also a humbling time, as I started to realize I basically didn't know anything about skating :( Then, in the fall both my young coach and young dance partner moved away.

A little over a year ago, in January 2017, I started lessons with my current coach. He is an experienced coach specialized in ice dancing and he also partners his students for ice dance tests.  I approached him asking to help me test the first 3 pattern dances. But I liked his very methodical approach and the fact that he also teaches MITF and Free Style, so I choose to have him as my only coach and to commit to a lesson per week. He first asked me about my goals. I said I wanted to skate better, of course... I wanted to look like the strong skaters I saw at the rink not in terms of jumps but I wanted their flow and confidence on ice. My coach said that that is called "power" and it's very difficult for an adult skater to get. We developed a lesson and training plan following the standard track testing for ice dance and MITF. The focus is in acquiring the knowledge for that level not to pass the tests. I've started to take 2 private lessons and skate 5 days a week. We tried to include FS but I wasn't able to find the time to train it methodically.

So here is were I stand:

Ice Dancing: 
Preliminary pattern dances ( Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues) standard, I passed in January 2017
Pre Bronze pattern dances (Cha Cha, Swing, Fiesta Tango), standard, I passed in March 2017
Bronze pattern dance Hickory Hoedown - passed in January 2018. I'm close in testing the remaining 2 dances at this level, when the injury will allow.
Bronze pattern dance Willow Waltz, standard, I passed in  December 2018 (update)
Ice dance is harder than it looks and than I expected. The thinks I'm working on continuously are edges and steps based on edges (chasses, progressives, swing rolls forward and backward), posture, speed and power, dance 3- turns and inside and outside mohawks.

MITF:
Pre-Preliminary, standard, I passed  in March 2017
Preliminary, standard - in November 2017.
I think I'm close in testing the third level, Pre-Juvenile, all the coach is asking is more power.
What this covers is stroking, edges, forward and backward crossovers in different presentations, forward and backward circle 8 edges,  all kinds of 3 turns, each test level asking for a better execution (forward outside and inside 3 turns, power forward outside 3 turns, backward outside and inside 3 turns), forward spirals on outside and inside edge, inside mohawks, power pulls.

Freestyle:
From my group lessons I'm confident in the forward pivot, shoot the duck, lunge... that's it.
With my private coach we covered a little  bunny hops, waltz jump, Salchow, half flip, forward one foot spin, forward scratch spin and we started the backspin.
Adult Pre-Bronze Freestyle test, I passedin March 2019 (update)