1st week of June

On Wednesday I'll have a business meeting North side.  That is where my boot fitter is and there is where my old coach is. I've decided to drive up and have a lesson on Tuesday and drop the boots, and pick them up when I get off my business meeting on Wednesday/

Monday. In preparation for my lesson with old coach, I practiced the double 3 turns. They were very rusty but got acceptable during the practice. The only negative was that I took a pretty heavy fall and my muscles tensed up and hurt. But luckily I haven't injured anything. 

Tuesday. The drive there was 1 hour 15 minutes, but back was an hour and a half... so, yeah, it not doable to see my old coach too often. As I work on dance with the new coach, I though to have this lesson toward moves in the field. I requested a full hour lesson. 

- The warmup was edges (correction: look where I'm going - I was flicking my head towards forward, and don't  twist, meaning stay square and encourage the edge by leaning). For the FI edges, tailbone under and more ankle bend. More ankle bend (push into the tongue of the boot, knees have to surpass the toes) I continued to hear during the whole lesson. On B edges more ankle bend and arched back, forming a Z.

- The coach wanted to start with simple 3-turns.  LFO3, surprisingly, the correction for the (the one that troubled me as I couldn't control the exit) was that I didn't turn it on the ball of the foot, I was towards the middle of the blade. I was also not completely aligned over the hip, the correction that worked was to lift the ribs over the hip. Then, a strong check is needed. RBI needed better alignment (lift over the hip and the free shoulder should pass the skating heel, so I should lean into the circle way more) and have the free leg thigh/ knee press into the skating leg. RBO same correction for the free shoulder. Also turn on the back of the blade, on the last 2 screws...

- For the double 3s is very important to check the 1st 3, use the top of the lobe carefully to change the upper body and extend the free foot (for the B 3s)

- Power 3s, after Mo, a push into B3 is acceptable, then the power comes from a lift like for a Loop jump. Strong check and repeat 

Wednesday, after I picked up the boots, I stopped by the rink on my way home. It was a bit of bad lack that the session I used to go to, was now an hour later. I decided to enter the session that was on right then, but I had just 15 minutes of skating. They had then, a 30 minutes break... so I didn't stay for the next session. With that little time I decided to not go through the 3-turns correction. I decided to work on the TenFox 3-turn. Yeap still scrapping...

Thursday. After 2 days away from home and work, I had so much to do. There were 2 skating sessions that day, morning at 9, and mid day 1.30. I decided to go to the 9 am one, because from my previous experience, when I get too much work to do I get caught up or exhausted  and I don't go skating anymore. While driving I though on how to organize the skating sessions and I couldn't really. My mind kept slipping back to work. So, I skated in default mode, and that took my again into the TenFox... mostly the 3-turn. I skated only TenFox related exercises and I skated hard so I felt tired after 35 minutes. Maybe it was ok for that day, as I had lots of work waiting. But,  this is exactly what I don't want to do... I want to balance each skating sessions (to work on more things) and the skating journey in general. My goal from this month, is to find ways to do that.

Anyway... the TenFox 3-turn. 

- I figured I was pressing towards the ball of the foot to accentuate the FO entry edge while rising, so at the point of the turn there was no more space to rock forward.  So I have to stay on the back of the blade. Probably a stronger core and posture, with the tailbone underneath, or hips forward, would help

- While twisting (and turning) I have to bring the hip forward (the free ribs and hip feel stacked over the skating side). And of course, the feet together (correction from my new coach). Then, I figured maybe I should think ate pigeon toe instead of feet together, that may bring the hip forward too.

Friday I went skating with the thought of finding balance in my skating. 

- I warmed up as I always do - fast

- I added some alignment awareness warm up exercises (like slower edges) - slow

- Chasses and SwRolls - fast

- Those seamed to help the entry into the TenFox 3-turn - slow

- TenFox - fast

- regular 3-turns with emphasis again, on alignment. I insisted on the LFO 3-turn and the circles (edges) F and B - slow

-TenFox - fast 

- exercise for TenFox of RFO double bend into the 3 turn. I think I finally figured out how to fix it. I was rising at the end of the 4 count double bend. The new coach suggested to stay low, but you have to rise to push into the 3-turn. I watched some videos of the dance and it looks that both the rise in the middle of the 4 count, and at the end of 4 count are very quick, not a full beat, so the rise is AFTER the 4 count double bend edge, and it IS the push into the 3 turn. With this approach the 3-turn seems to be on time. I think I was adding almost 2 beats there... one to finish the 4 count lobe and one to push into the 3-turn. If this is figured out, fingers crossed, I still need to make everything a little quicker to match the required tempo. 

 -Twizzles - I didn't work on them in a while and they weren't stable - slow

- the B power 3-turns, but slow, working at the form 

-F  Stroking and Xstrokes - they were slow, a sign that I was tired

- Winding down 

This took 45 minutes, I was happy at the end. Of course I could have felt happy because I felt progress on TenFox. But maybe I made this progress because I tried a different approach. Also, a shout out to the alignment exercises, they seam to help and I can do them slow, when I'm tired. I should continue to incorporate them into most of the session. And I looks that I intuitively worked on some fast things, then some slow things.

Private Lesson

For my private lesson I prepared a bunch of questions on things I felt I regressed, and also on things I wanted to work in the future on and didn't want to create bad habits.

- Left Inside Mohawk (the regular one, done in MITF or FS) Problem: I was changing the entry edge from I to O just before the turn; Correction: twist the upper body sideways to align over the circle, so the L shoulder back  (I used to stay more square and the left shoulder stayed back, outside the circle, pushing me to an O edge)

- The European Waltz 3turns Problem: I was delaying the turn (I guess to find the alignment) and then force the turn from the foot/ ankle. Correction: the regular 3 turn has 5 phases after the entry edge: Rise, Turn the upper body, Turn, Check, Re-bend, then exit edge exit. The European Waltz being quicker combines the first 3 phases, so you use the rise from the entry edge to get flow into turning the upper body over the circle; the back hip stays only slightly back (I used to leave it back, the correction felt like I had to engage it to bring it forward), engaged in opposition with the upper body twist and release at the point of turn. This release of the hip creates the turn. The check is with the shoulder down, arm up like being pulled backwards by somebody. Interestingly I was recently working after some youtube videos, at the regular 3 turns check, and they were saying press the palm down and back... I guess this does the same thing, shoulder down and upper body straight/ not forward. The strong check and balance allows to be able to not wide push. In order to push neatly, the skating foot moves out of the way, the new skating foot stays underneath

- The Foxtrot O ClMo Problem: I can do it but not at full speed, and it feels jumped. The correction: O entry edge by looking to the left, Rise and bring L foot toe to R foot heel (I think I was bringing the instep at the heel), Plie and twist the left foot (I guess the ball of the foot/ little toe to hold the outside edge) out of the way by maintaining the outside edge by staying on the little toe, this twist makes way for the right foot to step down underneath the body, and the left foot pushes from the plie.

- B  Cross Strokes Problem, not much flow. Solution: after the stroke the free leg opens to the side so it can come back (for the next stoke) directly behind the heel, plie and push, then the knees stay togheter to help the body weigh on the new O edge

- F Cross Strokes to improve, feel the force of the  push going into the skating knee

Mid month update

It seems I lately have bad news to share each time I post... So here it goes: my sharpener moved away :( And I really, really didn't like any other sharpener I tried. They changed the radius, they left the edges rolled out... don't get me started.... The sharpener used to live 30 minutes away from me, and I used to drop my skates at his house on Sundays and have lunch/ dinner in that area, then pick them up. Now I kept postponing, because I'm trying to social distance as much as I can, and I didn't want to eat out, and I didn't really have any other business that way. And when I've finally couldn't take it anymore, to skate on dull blades, and I tried to call, the phone was disconnected. I asked around at my rink and I found that they moved away.

Now, there is some good news... my coach sharpens skates too, and I can give him the skates after I see him for my lesson, and pick them up later. He is a little farther away, but I trust him.

The bad news is really, that I skated the last two weeks on very dull blades... I slid around a lot. I had to be very careful on how much I leaned. I couldn't really skate confidently, or fast, I had to be cautious. I also pulled a little a muscle, lucky, just a little. And after sharpening I'll need time to adjust to the new grip of the blades on ice... 

Luckily, I have things that I just started learning, that I need to work on slowly anyway. And basically, these are all that are worth reporting as "worked" and improved.

The forward inside brackets got more comfortable. My coach started me on a straight line and with transitioning trough 3 body positions just before the turn, then I practice on a slight curve. As I could do that, He said to deepen the curve and try to "marry" the 3 positions/ alignment and go trough them faster. And I just started working on the forward outside ones, slow, going trough all 3 positions and a a very shallow curve. 

I work on the forward inside twizzle quite a lot.  I'm fascinated by them, but I also thought they can actually benefit from blunt blades, as I have to move on the middle of the blade. And drum rolls... on the right forward inside twizzle I'm starting to hit 2 rotations! On the left side, I'm still at one... As I said, I'm fascinated... on the right side, even if I hit 2 rotations more then occasionally, I cannot really pinpoint what I do different. I mean, here are few things on the ones that may make the twizzle work... I feel the entry edge is deeper, then the speed it's actually slower, but it could be just that I don't rush. I feel I'm aligned over the right hip, and the rib cage is lifted. I also feel I'm pressing into the ice. And I cannot replicate all this all the time, it really is hit or miss. And I don't feel ANY of these on the left side... so that's gonna be a long way to go.

More than that... Working on this left inside twizzle made me realize the back left outside edge is week. I control it fine when I do slow edges or in the back circle eight. It seems that when I add the leg extension I go off balance. I felt the right hip was not stacked, in other words it was not lifted enough, but also the upper body was too forward. I asked my coach to watch the forward inside 3-turn (that is my worse 3-turn from them all, including the backwards ones) to correct the back edge, and he actually said that the forward edge was the first problem. The free hip was too high and that made me lean outside the circle entering the 3-turn. So I put a lot of "slow" work into that too. 

After all this slow skating I'm looking forward to catch a little speed!

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.

Mid month update

I'm posting another update because there is nothing new with my skating, I'm just... skating. I feel I'm finally back from the flu. I was feeling fine for two weeks now, but I just couldn't breath deeply. I've skated my usual days Monday, Wednesday, Friday, with a lesson on Monday. That is not enough to really improve on anything, is mostly maintaining and... some very slow progress.

Ice Dancing: The Ten Fox definitely improved lately, I've focused on it from last October I think. But, my coach was saying it and I agree... I need two lesson per week to push it to test. I think it would be fine for testing it as an adult, but the rest of the dances in this level I tested standard, and I still think I can test it standard. But I forget from one lesson to another some detail, so then, in the lesson I have to go again over things that theoretically I know and I can do, instead of working at new things. Also, I need to skate more then three times a week, as the kids at this level do, just if I want to test standard... I'm quick enough to feel of ice and to find the balancing points if I skate only three times a week.

MITF:
On the pre-Juvenile patterns, that I just maintained, not really work on them, from when I started to focus on the Ten Fox,  I saw how progress has sneaked in...
- On the first pattern, the power stroking, my coach kept adjusting the starting of the edges to be perpendicularly away from the axis, and the pressure into the ice. I finally got it in the backward side too...
- The 3 turns got stable and aster than I realized, but I was doing them by bringing the free foot at the ankle at the moment of the turn. My coach pushed me to do them with the foot extended (for the backward ones), despite my mumbling that that would make me unsure. He said, no, that would make you a better skater. How can I argue with that?
- The forward power pulls got good, sometimes really good. My coach was never happy with the backward ones and lately I'm doing them worse. I think I'm trying different things but it didn't come together yet. The correction that I doesn't seem to be able to apply is to not lean forward.
- The back circle eight was very consistent lately.
- The five step mohawk lobes were considered good long time ago, my coach haven't seen them in ages. I did get the correction to look up that I surely haven't succeed in apply yet. I'm trying...

Freestyle:
- The only jump I'm doing, maybe once a week are a couple of waltz jumps. I gave up working at the loop. But as I'm writing, I do realize I should keep jumping the salcow and the toe loop if I don't want to loose them, as I've lost the loop.
- I usually spin a little every time I'm on ice. I gave up on them while I had the flu and I was congested, and I just started them again this week. I'm maintaining the forward one foot spin, scratch spin and the backward upright spin, that's it.

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

I started last month with not much of a plan, but a "laissez-faire" attitude (the economic concept of free market translated as "let it happen"). I work on Ice Dance, Moves in the Field and Freestyle and I used to prioritize only one at a time so I can push it for progress and test. Now, I skate less time then before because I don't have enough energy (physical from my hip still not being 100% after the injury and emotional even) so I cannot push for progress on any of those. So I let them all be, progress or not, and try to enjoy the process. In a way I also wanted to experiment and see what happens if I don't push. And I think I've got confirmation that progress doesn't happen unless I push. So I have to be ready, at some point to start pushing again. But not this month... I think this month will go more or less like last month. Here is how last month has gone:

Ice Dancing: The private lesson went towards Ice Dancing, I think I took just 3 lessons. I'm getting more and more comfortable, with the basic steps exercises and the Ten-Fox. I didn't prioritize Ice dancing in my training for close to a year now, from when I tested the Willow Waltz. Whenever I want to work on Ice Dancing I need to do it when the ice is emptier so I have a better chance to hold the pattern, so I have to prioritize at least from that point of view. And I'm doing this now.

MITF: I still do them but without trying to add power. I hope I do maintain them because I certainly don't improve.

Freestyle: I started taking group lessons for Freestyle. I've had 3 lessons. And we did a review of spins and jumps (scratch spin, back scratch, waltz jump, salcow, and toe loop), that was most welcome. We didn't get yet to my targets, the sit spin and the loop jump. I feel it would be beneficial to work a little more on freestyle, but then again as I'm taking more time for Ice Dancing, I do not have more time for Freestyle.

Falls and Injuries: In my almost 10 years of skating I've never caught a toe pick. But I've caught one today. I was late to the group class and I joined  as they were just finishing the warm up with bunny hops. The first line, on the easy leg, was fine, but on the second line, on the harder leg... toe pick. I really blame it on not being warm up, I just didn't jump high enough... And I splashed on ice in a "superman" position, and slid... Yeah, it was a good one. I have scratches and a big blue bruise on my left knee, the side where my hip is still hurting and I had an ankle injury few year ago. It seems it is my favorite side to injure. I think I'm fine, but I'll know for sure just in few days.

Off ice: I said I have to do off ice strengthening exercises... I'm not doing them regularly...  I'm also not warming up before I get on ice, because I'm always late. So, I hope I'll do better. At least the ballet class is on again and I feel that helps with strengthening. I also did some stretching after few of the skating sessions and that seemed to help.

The kittens are doing fine, but they still take soo much time and energy.

The Skating for my own enjoyment saga: Because I don't push for progress I don't get frustrated. So at least I have that. On the other hand I don't think I'm really consciously enjoying. I'm comparing this enjoyment with the feeling of being present in yoga and with the feeling I get sometimes at ballet (not always), and that is again a feeling of being disconnected from the regular day and connected with the music and feeling lighter both body and soul. I've had another lesson with the new coach that helps just with this. On the first lesson we established some concepts of  musicality and soul involvement but we also did 3 clear exercises that I can practice. We polished some things from the first lesson when and did 3 new exercises. It's all I wanted from these lessons, my only disappointment is again, that I don't have more time to practice them. I firstly need to "get" the movement before I can incorporate soul and music into them.

NEXT MONTH, as I said, I expect it's gonna be the same and... more.

The Nutcracker on Ice: I'm gonna have 2 rehearsals this month, the first one this coming week. I'm very very excited.

Skating training: My main coach pushes the Ice Dancing, that it's covered. I don't feel I have to work much harder on my own. Most of the work it's happening during the lessons, especially now that we started partner the Ten-Fox. The Freestyle I plan to keep at the same intensity... On the MITF I plan to train the 5 minutes warm up for the test, but not on the first 5 minutes on ice. I feel that was throwing my whole session of. And I'm thinking at this point that is the thing that I'm least confident about the test day, go figure, the warm up...

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

The skating last month was unfocused. I skated every Monday on the regular rink ( adult figure skaters and hockey players together), and some Wednesdays an Fridays on the studio rink. Then, I gave up on Wednesday an Friday because the ice quality was so bad few times, that I couldn't work on anything.

MITF:
I've tried to run the Pre-Juvenile moves, that I was ready to test in June, every Monday, so I maintain them. They go reasonably well.

Ice Dancing:
The dance exercises and the pattern dances are near impossible to do with hockey players skating fast all around me. But I skated few exercises and the Ten-Fox occasionally, so they won't all disappear on me. I also didn't work with my coach on dance in months. I finally had a dance lesson today and the coach said that I "regressed" because I skated so little. Yeap... Well, it is what it is. We started with the basics, stroking, forward and backward chasses, progressives, swing rolls, dropped 3-turns and ran the dance twice. Things started to come back and I was actually relieved that it wasn't worse.

Freestyle:
In the studio rink I've worked on spins and jumps. And I had a lesson on jumps and spins few weeks ago. There was a glimpse of progress there, but again, skating so little I didn't get to work on them much.

High Level Pattern Dances:
I'm learning the Silver and Pre-Gold pattern dances even if I cannot do them. I learn the diagram on the computer or paper, watch some on youtube and then, try to lay the steps on ice. As I learned so many at the same time I started mixing some steps, but slowly some of them are clear. I had three lessons towards higher dances, again, not to do them myself but, but now that I know the steps, to understand where are the most difficult spots. My coach explained and I took notes first on the Starlight Waltz as I knew the its steps for a while. Then, it was the Kilian and Foxtrot, again, because I don't mix the steps on them. I'm already confident in my knowledge of the Fourteen Steps, European Waltz and American Waltz. That leaves the Silver Tango and Rocker Foxtrot from the silver dances and the Pass Double and the Blues from the pre golds. It is quite fun to learn them, and actually do some of the steps, but then also disappointing because there are steps that I cannot do.


Plans for this month... The first two weeks may not have much skating, but then the ice schedule goes back to fall schedule. So, at some point, I expect I can start picking up the skating from where it "regressed".  I feel good about this coming 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

Last month was all about the Freestyle program. This was my first program. I approached it with a cautious excitement and in the end, I think it went better then I expected... I wasn't particularly good at picking up choreography before, and while I had the jump and spins, they weren't always consistent when I had to do them in the program. I wanted to test this program for the USFSA Pre-Bronze test as soon as possible so I'll go back to training the other things, the moves and Ice Dancing. So I tested and passed it so now I can move on and work on everything.

One thing worth  mentioning about last month, is that I think I figured out what was the main reason for felling tired... I was writing about this on my last month "monthly skating review" post. Surprise! Not enough sleep... To function as I want on ice it seems I really need my 8 hours of sleep per night. I can get away with 7, or the occasionally 6 for functioning in the day by day activities quite well, but not to be able to train hard on ice... Now I know.

My plan for this month:
MITF: I still warmed up with them and occasionally I worked those forward to backward 3-turns. As I feel physically better (from the hip injury) and more rested, I felt in control. One day I did all the moves in the order and intensity of the test and they felt really good. I really, really want to push these for testing. My rink has another test session at the end of June and then none until late fall.

Ice dancing: From my bronze dances I still have to test the Ten-Fox. I didn't work at it at all last month. I tried it on Monday and I think it was "not bad" as my coach says. But can I push is for testing at the same time as the moves? I don't know... But for me it is not so much about this dance, as about my overall skating level. I feel I am not fast and powerful enough for the next level Pre-Silver. I think I have to work consistently on the basic exercises (forward and backward stroking, chasses, progressives, swing rolls, dropped 3-turns with attention on alignment, lean, push, extension, blade lean, change of lobes). I don't think I can do this at the same time with pushing the moves... but I'll definitely try, we'll see were it goes.

Freestyle: The program will take a break. I'll still do it at least once a week so I won't forget it, but it's not gonna be a focus at all. I want to start working on the elements for the next level testing, the bronze.
Jumps: I need all the jumps up to the flip. I kind of had them few years ago, BUT kind of. The were all pre rotated and done from barely moving and they were all small. In fact even the jumps I used in the program are small. I tried this week the Toe Loop and the Loop. I felt some pressure on my left ankle (that was injured 4 years ago and made me stop Freestyle and start Ice Dancing) so I'll have to really listen to my body with the Toe Loop. I'll start with my main coach on the Loop and maybe just the pick for the Toe Loop, and I'll continue with the Salchow and Waltz Jump (I bet the coach will still want the Bunny Hop) and hopefully make them bigger. I'll add the Toe Loop and Flip as soon as I'm comfortable.
Spins: I'll continue working on the forward scratch spin, which is "not bad". But, when it will powerful enough, the coach said we can start the layback spin. That's my favorite spin, I want it! The back spin is consistent but shy. I need to learn how to exit from it. And I need to learn to do it as a chance foot spin, after the full speed forward spin. I can do the change, but at a small speed. The sit spin I "kind of" had 4 years ago and again 2 years ago. I know it will come back. I'm just worried not to hurt my left side around the hip. One of my bad falls was on the left sit bone, and it affected the hip, plus I still feel pain when I fall, more then on the other side. Plus I don't really like the sit spin, the look of it... The camel spin will be new for me, and I'm wondering if it's not gonna hurt the abductors (that was the initial hip injury).

This month I'll have practice for the Ice show for the adult number. I'm not too excited about it. I don't like the song. The theme is 90's. The song "I'm too sexy" from "Right said Fred". I fell we, the adults skaters, are not strong enough to "be sexy" and why would we even try in a family oriented Ice show?

What I'm exited about,  I'll start ballet again. It was a nice surprise to see that after I started to get the form of the exercises I felt that the exercises made me more powerful, I was able to concentrate on posture, hand movement and rhythm. And I actually feel happy after the class.

Test: MITF Pre-Preliminary part 2

Read here the MITF Pre-Preliminary part 1, where there is a link to the judges form. I'll go on here, explaining how I prepared for each task. And here is the video of my test:

1. Forward Perimeter Stroking (CCW and CW) with focus on power and extension.
I explained the Forward Stroking in a previous post.
Firstly CCW and here is the diagram.

There are 6 strokes with 4 crossovers at the end and then repeat. The intro steps were 2 strokes to the end of the ring (left, right) and two crossover  (left, right, left, right), so 6 steps total. I was mentioning in the previous post that I was getting few coaches help in preparing for this test. Two of them insisted that for my height I should do just 4 strokes to demonstrate power. I tried for few weeks if not more but I was as I was trying to push harder into the stroke, I was loosing the posture and I was actually getting tired quickly. When I asked another coach about this, he said that if I look like I'm struggling (as I was) it doesn't show power, shows the opposite. So, I went back to 6 strokes. But working on power I did get better at it and now I was running short on space after 5 strokes, so last stroke on the left foot. And that is a problem for starting the crossovers as they are left, right. So, it took me  a while to get the right stride, rhythm, pace and breathing... I won't go so far as saying that this was the hardest task of the test, but I will say that this showed me exactly what testing is. It is not just knowing to do something, but doing in on a count (yes, the majority of the skills in MITF tests are done on a count so they are consistent and uniform), on a specific pattern and in a pleasant manner.
For the CW stroking I ran into another problem. As the crossover were right, left, right, left, I either had to start the intro steps from a farther away step to fit 3 intro strokes (left, right, left), or start with a right stroke, as I choose. You wouldn't believe how many times I forgot that! And being that these are intro steps and are not judged, it is not a big deal do add a stroke to get on the right (well, left foot), but it's unsettling...
This task takes probably half of the test time, and it gets boring so really it ends up being an exercise for focusing your mind and breathing.

2. Basic Consecutive Edges on alternating lobes (FO, FI, BO, BI) with focus on edge quality. Read about the Forward Edges and Backward Edges. Again, the diagram asks for 6, but for my height is ok to do 4. Also, you can start with whatever foot you want. I settled into doing 5 and I started on my best foot, so I've got 3 on the better side and 2 on the weaker side. The challenge here was to do them same size. My forward edges were way better then the backward ones. I was comfortable doing 4 lobes forward and 6 backwards. That's another reason I ended up doing 5 of them.

3. Forward Right and Left Foot Spirals with focus on extension.
I'll explain the skill in a different post and link it here. The test asks for intro steps (as for forward stroking), then spiral on one leg up to the middle of the rink then on the other foot till the end.

4. Waltz Eight with focus on edge quality.
I described the Outside 3-turn in a previous post. The pattern for the test is on a circle an outside 3-turn, followed by and outside edge and an inside edge, each element covering a third of the circle, then another circle do the other side, forming a figure eight. Then repeat. It is called a "waltz" eight because you do the elements on a count of the waltz rhythm: for 3-turn 123 for the outside edge, 456 for the inside one and so on... Generally, for the test, the 3-turn is done with the foot extended at the end, but it is not a specific requirement. I've just learned to do it with the foot in, and hold the exit edge with the foot in, that for me was way harder,  and I wanted to changed myself and did it like that for the test.

I was satisfied when I finished the test. Not that I was perfect, but I did almost as well as I did in practice. I know there is a saying for competing: practice as it would be the competition and compete as it would be the practice. The same would apply for the tests. Actually for tests, my coach advises to be over prepared to compensate for the nerves during the test.

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

I usually skate Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. That's 4 sessions a week, while last year I was skating 7, 8 sessions a week. I would have the time to skate more, but I felt it was best to let the hip injury heal. At the beginning of the month the rink was closed for renovation, then there was just public ice on Veterans day and around Thanksgiving. So I was skating even less and that translates in less progress...

Ice Dancing: I had 3 private lessons (my private lesson is on Thursday and I lost 2 lessons because of the ice schedule). We worked exclusively at the Willow Waltz as I want to test it. And we decided to register for the December 23rd test session. That is an hour session that goes after the Ice Dancing group lessons 2 months classes to allow the students to test what they've learnt. It covers just up to bronze dances. I love these sessions as they are less pressure then the 3 hours long sessions. So, I was ready to test this dance in March (and I didn't test because I've got injured), and I was confident about it. Where did that confidence go? My coach says that my skills are improved, and I agree. I think that protecting the hip I lost the tension in my body that makes somebody look sure of themselves... I'll have to find it quickly...

MITF: I didn't work on these with my coach in months. Again, these Pre-Juvenile MITF were close to be ready for testing in March, when I couldn't work on power because of my injury. I occasionally ask him to see one move if I have questions. At some point I lost my backward circle eight so he helped me adjust the weight on my hip and I got it back.The power crossovers with inner edge he likes. On the power pulls I do well, except the the back ones on the hurt hip. But they are coming along. The 5 step Mohawk was always good. All it's left is the forward to backward 3-turn... And I do them fine! Except when I try to put a little speed in them. I think again it's about not tensing my body enough. I tried to have my coach look at them and I did way worse then I do on my own. He couldn't really correct anything because I was not doing them. Usually he corrects the timing as i was turning before reaching the middle of the lobe. The he always finds some weight over the hip adjustment. The only thing I could take away was to look up. I look down after the turn. I think the thing I need is that confidence back.... because honestly, I CAN do them.

Freestyle: This month I had 2 lessons with my new Freestyle coach. I described the Freestyle lessons here. Last lesson was about going faster and going bigger. When I hired him I thought I was going to like him, and I do like him even more than I expected. And here comes the BUT. I like all he is teaching me and I respond well to his instructions. And I agree I need eventually to know all these. BUT, I hired him to do a program for me, 2 moths ago. I want my program! I know I'm being childish, but am I? The program should be a Pre-Bronze one for testing, not competition. So it doesn't need more difficult skills than I already have. He brought up again the back power 3-turn, that are next level MITF. And while I can do them, I kind of don't want to work at them. I didn't do Freestyle in 2 years and I don't have allocated time in my week for it. I have to make room, so to take away time from dance and moves where I already feel I have less time than I want (like 8 sessions a week,  before injury). Now to be honest, each day on ice, I do have "I don't know what to work on" moments. So why wouldn't I work on the back power 3-turn. I'm definitely being childish, trowing a tantrum instead of working on things as an adult.

Last thing I'll mention is my hip pain. It is mostly good. I did hurt after jumping a whole session, but it went away during the long Thanksgiving weekend. I'm giving Thanks for that! Then I've fallen again on that side but I was wearing the gel hip pad, and while the fall hurt a little, I think it didn't add anything to the previous injury. Thanks for that too... Something new, I took a pilates class that is offered just after the ice time on Friday. It was my first time talking pilates and while I expected a good core workout (and sore muscles), I was surprised of how much it made me work the hip muscles too, so I may continue taking it. A physical therapist was also taking the class and she joined the conversation I was having with the instructor comparing yoga and pilates . They both consider that pilates is more beneficial as a core and hip strengthening and stabilizing exercise while cautioned me about the risk of injury if yoga is not done properly.

The plan for next month, if I feel no hip pain, is to skate Monday trough Friday and have 2 private lessons with my old coach, one Monday after my regular skate and one Thursday. That would give me more instruction for the dance I plan to test, plus would bring me to 5 and a half sessions of skating per week. BUT, if I feel any pain I plan to be on the cautious side and cut back on skating. As I'm registered to test the Willow Waltz I'll have to prioritize to work on it. The problem is that I need fairly empty ice to be able to put in the whole pattern and keep the beat. Usually the beginning of the sessions are emptier, so I'll have to work at the dance first.  The big disadvantage of this is that Ice Dancing makes my muscles tired because of the continuous bending and rising of the knee. That definitely affects my jumping negatively. But if I'm able to skate 5 1/2 sessions per week I'll have time to start incorporating some Freestyle in my training. I might not take any freestyle lessons, to keep the skating budget under control, or I'll go crazy and spend, thinking of it as a holiday gift...

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

First week of last month I skated just once, because of the inconvenient ice schedule. I was waiting for the second week to go back to my regular schedule, but on Monday I bumped into somebody, well, we bumped into each other, and fell on my bad side. It didn't seam that I hurt the hip, but there was pain on the muscles compensating, that lasted 2 weeks.  Yeap, I had to take it easy again... So what did I work on?

Freestyle: I went through my jumps occasionally so I don't loose them again. But without corrections from a coach they are just as bad as they were 2 years ago (pre rotation, no height, no speed, obviously other things that I'm not aware off). I also just try to maintain my forward scratch spin as I don't want to put pressure on the abductors. The backspin improves every week! I enter now from an inside 3turn and I do cross my free foot. It's slow and shy but it's consistent. I'm curious what the next instructions will be from my coach. I'll have to ask how to exit from it... I know, bend the skating leg and pull, but I don't really know how to do it.
MITF: I've got big compliments from my coach on the power alternating crossovers. They were: "Well, for somebody that started skating as an adult, these look great!" I looked at him confused, because  my goal is to not look as somebody that started as an adult, and I'll test these on standard track like the kids... It sounded to me that they are not that good, even if I knew he said it as a compliment. He continued, surely answering to my confused face... "No, no, they are good, I saw worse than this pass"... I think this is all the compliments I will get! My coach is famous for being stingy with the compliments... But he thinks these are ready for the test, so they are good enough for this level. That's all I need to know :)
The backward circle eight initial push was giving me trouble. I think because I was pushing from the bad hip, in time, I stopped pushing. I also forgot to pigeon toe and lead with my heel the foot that's gonna became the skating foot. And it seams that I was dropping the free hip, again....
The 32 3-turns... My hip was hurting when I did 3-turns on it. So each time I skated I did just 2 of each... just to maintain. I still got the correction that I'm not transferring ALL my weight on the skating hip, and that I rush the turn sometimes. The biggest correction was to make the upper body movement continuous. I was actually trying to snap them, as I do in Ice Dancing. There, I stroke on an edge and hold the edge on bent knee with a good extension, and I twist the upper body just when I rise for the turn. I can do them with continuous upper body movement too. I was happy that I'm starting to be able to control these timing differences.
Ice Dancing: We keep working on backward skating: stroking, chasses, progressives. We work on the push, posture, extension, quickness and finishing the lobes. The Willow Waltz I think looks good, the Ten fox we didn't do together too often so I don't know.

The biggest thing this month was, again, feeling frustrated that I cannot push for progress. I'm happy that now my hip seams better. But it seams that it's very easily re injured. I'm trying to find ways to enjoy what I have. What else can I do?

So, coming from my adult Freestyle group lessons I always wanted to be able to connect the elements. At that point I had nothing but elements: some small jumps, the one foot spin, lunges, spirals. I had no speed and the turns, the Mohawk, the 3 turns were not solid on their own, so surely I couldn't have done them at speed. And they are the connecting elements. Now I have some control... So I asked a new coach (after consulting with my main coach that doesn't do choreography) to do a program for me. We would start with few lessons to see what I have, and go from there.This new coach is specialized in adult skaters and he's trying to bring the "fun" into skating. I overheard him telling somebody "let's not put this into an equation". Myself, I love to put everything into equations, forces, momentum, angles... So I was curious if he was gonna be a good fit. I had one lesson and half of it we did hand movements and half a step sequence. So, yes, he doesn't provide a doctorate paper on how to paint a masterpiece but rather a paint by numbers instructions. And I have to say, for now, seams effective.

Goals for next month:
- Order some hip pads. I researched as much as I could, I've asked all my skating friends, I've red reviews and forums and I think I'm leaning towards the gel ones. They are $40 each but I'll order just one for now.
- I still stretch regularly but I'm adding strengthening exercises. I'm doing one leg calf raises for a while now, I recently added 2 exercises for hips and core (I was doing core but I stopped at some point).
- Handle the frustration...and motivation. My goal at this point is progress. I was cautioned about over training and boredom and advised to have fun. But, I feel that, as an adult over 40, I'll be limited in my progress sooner or later. So I was trying to get my satisfaction from the progress and I was planing to have fun later... With the amount of time I skate these days the progress is soo slow, sooo frustrating. I hope working on my first program with my new coach will bring some fun and motivation.
- And I hope I'll get to test the Willow Waltz at the end of the month to give me some confirmation of progress and some confidence.

How can an adult skater progress over a Beginner level and Figure Skating Levels

My previous post was about the progress of a beginner skater, more exactly, from a low-beginner beginner to an high-beginner. Then, I was thinking how could an high-beginner, which I feel I am, progress to an Intermediate level.

Firstly, I'll tell you what I think the figure skating levels are. I read in different places slightly different views on levels... I have written before about the testing process. MITF and Freestyle go hand in hand as passing  MITF is a prerequisite to testing the same level in Freestyle. Freestyle also includes pair skating. USFSA (United States Figure Skating Association) has 8 standard levels for testing and I'll add the scores required to pass. This is what kids test. Then, I'll add the adult  equivalent, and the ISI (Ice Skating Institute) levels.  Then  I'll add what I think of each level in terms of beginner- intermediate- advanced- expert...

0. Intro to Skating (no test) Basic Skills and ISI Alpha trough Gamma...
1. Pre-Preliminary (pass/fail) equivalent with Adult Pre-Bronze, ISI FS1 and 2 is an Low-Beginner
2. Preliminary (2.5 out of 6max) equivalent with Adult Bronze and ISI FS3 is a  Beginner
3. Pre-Juvenile (2.7 out of 6) equivalent with Adult Silver and ISI 4 is an High-Beginer
4. Juvenile (3 out of 6)  equivalent with Adult Gold and ISI FS4 is a Beginner-Intermediate
5. Intermediate (3.2 out of 6)  is an Intermediate
6. Novice (3.5 out of 6) is a Intermediate-Advanced
7. Junior (4 out of 6) is an Advanced Skater
8. Senior (4.5 out of 6) is an Expert Skater
What we see on TV on competitions I would say are 2 or 3 levels up, their skills marks would be 4.8 to 5.9 out of 6 as nobody is perfect :)

Each test concentrates on 5, 6 skills but a skater at that specific level knows many more skills. The test judges in fact the quality of how the skills are performed. For example you have to do an outside forward 3-turn in different combinations in each of the first 5 MITF tests. But you have to do it better and better...

I'm working on the Pre-Juvenile MITF so Level 3.  In Freestyle I'm all over the place. I know the elements but I don't think I do them well enough.

So to get to an Intermediate level as an adult is a quite big accomplishment, so big that USFSA calls is worthy of the "gold medal". I think Gold level in MITF is within reach. In Freestyle this level includes the axel... I don't know about that. The risk of hurting may be too big to even try to learn it.

Ice Dancing traditionally is done in pairs and has testing on the pattern dances and I'll match them with the free dances done in competition at the same level. I'll start the counting from 2 because that's what I thing would be the equivalent with the MITF and Freestyle levels. It can be done solo too, on the same levels.

1. Basic Ice dancing Skills: Forward Progressives, Chasses and Swing Rolls - Low-Beginner
2. Preliminary pattern dances (Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues) (pass/fail) - Beginner
3. Pre-Bronze pattern dances (Swing Dance, Cha Cha, Fiesta Tango) (2.5 out of 6) - High-Beginner
4. Bronze pattern dances (Hickory Hoedown, Willow Waltz, Ten fox) (2.7 out of 6) and Juvenile free dance - Beginner-Intermediate
5. Pre-Silver pattern dances (Fourteen Step, European Waltz, Foxtrot) (3 out of 6) and Intermediate free dance - Intermediate
6. Silver pattern dances (Silver Tango, Rocker Foxtrot, American Waltz) (3.5 out of 6) and Novice free dance - Intermediate Advanced
7. Pre-Gold pattern dances (Starlight Waltz, Passo Double, Killian, Blues) (4 out of 6) and Junior free dance - Advanced
8. Gold pattern dances (4.5 out of 6) and Senior free dance - Expert
On TV we see International pattern dances (4.8 out of 6)

In Ice Dancing I'm working on Bronze or 4th level, so over my abilities from MITF. I do feel that I struggled in Ice Dancing because not only I had to acquire the skating skills but them present them in a pretty and very exact package while holding the beat of the music and getting into the character of the music. The kids and teens at my rink seam to learn the other way around: Freestyle first, MITF then to match their Freestyle level and be able to test and Ice Dancing later, as a refinement of their skills that they already have. I think this is a more natural path... Dare I say that Freestyle is more exciting? So it sounds to me that I'm thinking I should concentrate more on Freestyle.

The problem is that I don't think I skate enough to be able to push for progress all Freestyle, MITF and Ice Dancing. So the obvious answer is to increase the skating time AND the number of lessons... Now I'm skating 3 times a week and i take one lesson and everything goes mostly towards Ice Dancing. And that's because I was injured... I would have to go back to skating 4 sessions plus 2 lessons... My coach recommends 2 hours of practice for each half hour lesson.
I found this Canadian skating club guidelines to training time. It seams that for my level they recommend even more lessons then that, sounds like 4 half hour lessons and 2 hours of practice. AND they recommend lots of off ice training... And here is another guideline to how much time you need to practice to pass different levels.

Yeap, skating takes lots of time and money and I feel discouraged now.

How can an adult skater progress over a Beginner level and Warm up for beginners

There are many different categories of adult skaters. Each journey is somehow unique. Still, I would put in a special category the adults that skated as kids. They have a big advantage over skaters that started as adults in their comfort on ice and their ability lo learn skills...They do have their own specific challenges, like not being able to do everything they did as kids, and I'm sure many more that I'm not aware of. Then, there are the very young adults skaters. International competitions for adult skaters accept skaters over 28 years old. In USA the age is 21. These skaters that start in their 20s have a quick progress.

I want to talk more about skaters that start when they are older then 30 because that's me and that's what I know about. I started casually at 35 and approached it more seriously after 40. I heard when I started skating that adults stop progressing at the forward one foot spin or Freestyle 2 level. I almost did...

Beginner adults usually start with adult group lessons. And almost each time on ice we learn something new and we are amazed. We pass the basic skills in one, two years. And then is Freestyle, where everything slows down. We get bored, frustrated, unmotivated and we look at ourselves and we think that we don't look like much of a skater. Plus we see kids at our level that look better and we lose hope that we, as adults, can get there. I occasionally made up a missed group lesson in a kids group lesson, and they were different. In the adult class we were doing everything from standing still. In the kids class they were moving around. I also saw the same difference in private lessons. At least at my rink adults are treated like they could break and they are not asked to move. Adults are not allowed in the group MITF group class, but i was allowed in once as it wasn't full. It was an eye opener... there it was were kids learned to move around. Kids also run after each other, playing, adults don't really play... This difference in speed was also visible in competitions. Same level kids were way faster, even if they had worse posture, lesser extension and toe pointing. So adults were actually looking better, though the kids were making up for it by owning an enjoying the performance.

The point I'm trying to make is that, to transition from a beginner level one needs to start moving. In time, the speed you are comfortable skating with will increase, and that speed will help in making the edges more stable so it will give more control to everything. This increasing in speed will give a skater more power. The second thing that would help this transition is the awareness on how to keep your weight over your hips and feet, when your are skating edges on one foot. If you look at older posts, there are lots about edges. That's because I think skating it's all about edges. So you need to put some speed and depth into those basic edges.  I would say that you are not a beginner-beginner anymore if you are able to do the forward circle eight well. Use what I described as edge presses to transition from a beginner to an intermediate skater. And I would say you are not an advanced-beginner anymore (as I think I am) if you can do the backward circle eight well. That's something I'm thinking and I use as milestones to motivate myself :) And just for the record I can do the backward circle eight reasonable well! The edge that's holding me back is the LBI (left backward inside). I can do it well enough at low speed, but I hesitate when I go faster because I need a little longer to find the balance on that edge. And that affects all the skating skills that include that edge as for example the LBI 3turn...

 So really is not the forward one foot spin... Working on the spin for 5- 15 minutes each time you are on ice it's gonna make it happen, but it takes a long time. I was working at it for an hour each time I was on ice, and I don't think it made it come sooner. I just wanted to pass the level and that was the only element that wasn't passing... But I could have used that time better.

I have some suggestions on how to start moving. Firstly, each time when you step on ice do few lines of warm up. I see that all the advanced skaters do this. The meaning is to both warm up the muscles but also ease into feeling the ice and using the edges. Advanced skaters do for example forward and backward power crossovers, edge rolls, edge crosses, and all kinds of fast turns on the length of the ice. Read about my warm up here. For a beginner warm up I would suggest to do:
- forward/backward swizzles where you should concentrate to find where the weight should fall on your blade (back of your foot arch for forward skating, and front of your arch for backward skating). Also you can work on looking up, posture and balance, maybe hand movements.
- forward stroking, read about it here
- edges, trying to make them both more stable and faster. Do them forward and only if comfortable backward. But do work on the backward edges later maybe at the end of the rink... you need them stable and fast for the 3 turns and Mohawks.
- forward slalom where you should try to get into the ice.

The second thing I would suggest is to consider working consistently on MITF maybe with the goal of testing them. That will give your training structure and motivation. The first test asks for stroking, edges, spirals, crossovers and outside 3 turn, all at basic, beginner level. If you plan to compete in USFSA competitions you need these MITF tests and Freestyle tests anyway. MITF covers moves in both directions, covers lots of turns (3-turns, mohowks) and asks for power and speed.

The third suggestion is to put together a program and run it often. I don't have one yet but I think it would make me move with a different rhythm and maybe in a more personal way.

Having a program goes hand in hand with hiring a private coach lessons if you didn't already, because they do the choreography. A private coach I think would suggest what I just did before and would also push you to get it done. On the other hand a private coach will ask about your goals and customize the instructions towards reaching that goal. I feel that as a beginner I didn't really understand the possibilities.

The only other thing I would add is that skating twice a week is enough for when you are a  beginner-beginner. Over that level, I heard many skaters saying that skating twice a week maintains what skills you have. But if you want to learn new skills and to progress, you need more time on ice. To push from a beginner to an intermediate level I think you should skate 3 to 6 sessions per week. The more you skate, the more you'll progress!

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

I had my Freestyle group class in the morning and I've got the Flip (that I didn't do in 2 years) back!!! A good way to start the month!

I was writing before, that the summer ice schedule is so all over the place and I cannot get a rhythm, and that is all still true. And after my fall in the second week of last month I felt that I was somehow both physically and mentally fighting to skate. I'm still thinking about training and progress when it wasn't possible. And I wasn't enjoying skating either.

So, last two weeks I slowed it waaay down. I skated the public skate (adults only) on noon Monday and I had my weekly private lesson immediately after. Tuesday, Wednesday off. Thursday, my two group lessons, one Freestyle, the other power and edges. Friday off. Saturday, lovely empty practice ice where I did dance mostly. Sunday off.

And I'm letting go of my Friday yoga too. That's a long story, but doing yoga just once a week, even with a little practice at home, was let's say, confusing. I hope I'll get to write a whole post about it.

With so little physical activity, I finally felt that my body was rested and responsive, and I wasn't worrying about hurting my hip again.

Anyhow, my progress last month was:
Freestyle: With my private coach I graduated from the back spin in the change foot combination that was consistent (but foot not crossed over), to the scratch back spin from the inside edge entrance! My forward scratch spin is also looking stronger.
In the group class we mostly ran trough things as the class was just 5 week long. My level is Freestyle 4. The loop jump that I had two years ago, was lost  as I didn't practice it, but it made a quick reappearance. Muscle memory is both good and bad. Good that it made me remember the loop, bad because I've kept the mistakes I had (pre rotation, free leg not crossed and flat footed landing). Plus the instructor taught an entrance from a right inside 3 turn that I didn't know before. That I cannot do just yet. Half loop feels as awkward as ever.  I didn't want to work on the sit spin as I'm protecting the left hip. We refresh the back spirals that I needed refreshed and the back 3 turns, that I didn't.  I had the flip two years ago but not as consistent as the loop. And on a quick try last week I couldn't remember the entrance or the feeling of the jump... But it happened today :) They are not good jumps, but it's a start.
MITF: I didn't work much on them, I tried to keep them at the same level until I have more time on ice and I'm confident in using my hip.
Ice Dancing: Well, that goes well. I feel I can improve the pattern dances without putting any strain on my hip. With practicing for MITF, the basic exercises for Ice Dancing and almost everything Freestyle I'm still cautious. Every lesson this last month was dance. The coach mentioned testing the Willow waltz but at another rink, as our rink has a test session just in November. But If I go to the trouble to go to another rink I would like to test the Ten Fox too.

First week lesson:
Ten Fox: the first 2 lobes are still wimpy, because I hook the first edge. Instead of allowing it to go perpendicular away from the axis, I'm rushing to turn parallel to the axis.
Same hooking after the 3 turn...
Mohawk latest correction, allow the upper body to turn from forward, laterally, with back at the circle.
Willow waltz: stroke, don't step (bend the knee) into the 3 turn
After the middle chasse step forward, let the LFO stroke go into the middle of the rink, finish on outside edge so you can stroke strongly into the next RFO
Spins: Keep at them. Press while back spinning
Waltz Jump: Jump at 45 degrees, not long, not high.
Second week lesson: just 15 min, for the first time the coach was late
Ten Fox: the intro 3 turn goes 1/3 on the first lobe.
Corner 3 turn placement ends at half circle. Draw left foot in to be faster, rise/re bend and push
Third week lesson: I cancelled the lesson and I only skated my group lessons all week
Forth week lesson: lots of partnering exercises and polishing the Willow.
Fifth week lesson: We worked on the back swing roll as I need it for Ten Fox. It was the first time I felt in control of the rotation. I was trying the last weeks to push straight away from the axis, and not hook it. on all back lobes.  Now the coach brought up (again) the arms that need to coordinate with the feet. And I finally was able to do it, and the core got engaged on it's own! Now, on Ten Fox he likes the first half, the second half is still wimpy.
And we worked on the backspin.

Goals for next month:
Freestyle: Keep working on the back spin and loop as they don't strain the left hip at all. Add the flip. But! Maintain what I have! Looking back, when I couldn't work to improve a certain skill (for being hurt, or prioritizing something else to work on for a test), I stop doing it altogether... That would be the Salchow and forward scratch spin that I was working on lately, but also bunny hops. Do them even twice a month, few tries.
MITF: whenever is not crowded work on the forward to backward 3 turns on the pattern. I don't remember when I did them on pattern last...  And work specifically on the right back power pulls. These are weaker than the rest of the elements for this test.
Ice Dancing: enjoy! and of course get ready to test them.
Off ice: I've got into the habit to do some here and there stretches and strengthening exercises at home. I cannot really call it yoga, but whatever it is, keep it..

Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

So how did last month go?

Freestyle: I worked consistently on the back spin. I get now more then 3 rotations but at low speed and I always end up rocking back and forth on my blade. The corrections were:
- To to stay further back on the blade as I was on the front part of the ball of my foot touching the toe pic. I need to be on the ball of my foot but towards the arch and on the outside edge.
- Move the weight onto the skating hip, the axis of rotation is between the neck and right shoulder not the shoulder
- Lift the free hip
- Press into the ice while spinning, it seams that I'm lifting the upper body thinking that I press.

I didn't work much on the scratch spin as is on the bad hip. It seams that I'm entering the spin somehow around, I do a full 3 turn, then I center. I need to shorten the second edge, the inside edge of the 3 turn and start spinning.
- Press the entry edge and transfer the weight onto the skating hip while turning the 3 turn
- Bring the free hand and leg around quicker
- Bring the free leg more towards front then to the side
- Cross the free foot over the knee, close the free hip and push the foot straight down

I didn't do jumping in the lessons and just a couple here and there on my own.

MITF: When testing, you have to have each element "good enough" for that level. And for this level (pre-juvenile) I just need more power. As I cannot work on power because of my hip, my coach gave me more corrections for making them more exact. I work on what I can... So more corrections on the 3 turns, like extensions of the free leg. I was asked for a bigger backward circle eight and to not rush moving the arms on the inside circles. The secret for not falling out at the beginning of the inside edge while holding the back to the circle is to look inside the circle, over the shoulder. Backward power pulls are ok on my right leg but still wimpy on my left leg and I think it's because I unconsciously protect the hip, so I didn't push it. And we changed the extension on the back step on the 5 step Mohowk towards back, now that edge is longer so I need to make all of them longer.

Ice Dancing: They are right there where I left them 2 months ago. I'm relieved!

Off ice I did yoga once a week, better then nothing...

Goals for next month:

Freestyle: Keep working on the spins and start jumps in lessons. On crowded sessions I can work comfortably on spins and jumps compared with MITF or pattern dances.

 MITF: I don't feel motivated to work on them as I kind of think I have them. The next announced testing session at my rink is in November. But if there are requests, there may be one in August. I plan to think I'll test in August so I'll keep myself motivated. I cam warm up with the power ones  and also asses the hip status, then "work" later in the session on the 3 turns and circle 8.

Ice Dancing:  As always with the pattern dances, I have to hunt for emptier sessions  to work on them. But I don't want to make them a priority because I'm still not comfortable to fully hold the extensions. I feel can run trough everything but not "work" on them.

Keep up with yoga. It doesn't fit easily in my schedule but I feel amazing after.

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.

Recreational skating versus training

As I mentioned in my first post, I started to skate in a recreational manner, once a week, in group classes and I enjoyed every second of it. I was skating around, sitting around, talking to people, and practicing at leisure, without pressure to get something until a certain time, or ever.

Now, I skate 5 days a week, I take 2 private lessons a week and it feels like training.Why? Because while I always wanted to skate well, slowly I realized that I actually could.

Before starting group lessons I had no contact with skating, I wasn't even watching much on tv. In group lessons I met people like me. The first realization was when I started to go to adult practice ice. While most of the skaters started as kids, there were some that started later in life and they were skating beautifully. What skating beautifully (as an adult) means to me, is skating with confidence, good posture, flow between forward and backwards and maybe some "tricks" (jumps and spins).

Next realization was when I got into the MITF (Moves In The Field) group class. That wasn't usually open for adults, but in one summer the class wasn't full so I was allowed to join. My previous group lessons were following Freestyle (FS) curriculum and covered mostly "tricks" not the flow that I wanted. Well, I found that in the MITF class.

The third realization was during the MITF class, which was a children class, and I saw that kids my level of FS were not actually much better than me. I had it in my mind that it's impossible for an adult to learn as kids learn. That is true for the highly athletic skills like jumps (triple, double, even... singles). But not so much for the steps with flow, edges, transitions, at least up to an intermediary level.

The last realizations was the kids practice schedule. At my level (a very wobbly FS4, that I would call and advanced beginner) I was skating twice a week, one group lesson and one practice session, they were skating 3 times more. They were in average in 2 group lessons, at least one private lesson, syncro team and practice ice 2 to 5 days a week. Some of them were also doing off ice training.

Training is committing to a certain level of practice focused on achieving a certain goal. My goal is to get to skate confidently and hopefully beautifully! As my first desire was to get flow on ice, I started to work on MITF and Ice Dancing. To keep myself motivated and have a structured approach to learning I decided to take the USFSA tests. Test would be a prerequisite if I ever wanted to compete, which I don't at the moment. I take one half hour lesson for MITF and another for ice dance every week, and I practice on my own 7 hours spread from Monday to Friday. I would like to somehow add soon the FS.

The commitment is huge, to learn skating means that after you got a skill correctly, you repeat it as long as you need for it to become muscle memory. And it takes a looong time... After I decided on the financial and  time commitment, I also had to accept the inconvenient schedule and the fact that skating takes away most of my free time. And then is hard work! My body hurts, I get discouraged, impatient, frustrated and then there it is, progress and satisfaction.

I am an adult figure skater

I started figure skating in 2010 as an adult, I was in my mid 30s. I joined a friend to an adult group lesson session offered by my local park district. At first I was skating once a week for 45 minutes in my group class, not thinking of actually learning but just enjoying the ice. I liked the easiness of the gliding, the cold air on my cheeks especially when it was warm outside, and the fact that for those 45 minutes my whole mind was there in a both relaxing and concentrating kind of way.

After around 2 years I graduated the beginner levels into Freestyle discipline, where the jumping and spinning starts and eventual you get to build up programs on music. My group class instructor suggested that I would progress quicker if I would add a practice session per week. Progressing? At that point I was so worried about having to jump, that I didn't actually want to progress. Little did I know that jumping (just half jumps at first) will come waaay easier that spinning for example. Things were becoming interesting, so I welcomed the idea of progress, only to find out that progress was slow. I settled for the next 3 years into a twice a week skating schedule, my group class and my practice session.

Somewhere along the way, skating became more than skating as I've got to meet the warm adult skating community, I gained new friends and I found out  more possibilities in adult figure skating. Like beside doing Freestyle you can do MITF (Moves In The Field) and Ice Dancing, you can take private lessons, put together a program, compete (there is even an adult nationals event), test in front of USFSA (US Figure Skating Association) affiliated judges. Wow!

Here I am today, after 7 years from when I first started, skating 5 days  a week, with 2 half hour private lessons.

I love it so much, I thought I'll share my journey and experiences!