Today's Skating Session Recap:
I am happy to report that finally my blades are cooperating. It was a bit frustrating for the past couple of days, and to be honest at one point I felt like crying. Well, simply because I've practiced all summer and came so far to have this issue happen. I guess it comes with the territory eventually you'll have to upgrade to new boot and/or blades in some point in time.
I did have a good skate and did something that a friend and an amazing skater advised me to this technique; to try and help me get the proper feel of my blades to achieve that "sweet spot" I will continue skating next week and focus on my upper body core and balance, it so important. To think a change of 1/4" inch made such a huge difference in my skating. It has taught me that I have listen to my skating!!
On a short note:
Thank you all my skating peeps who always give such great advice when it comes to my skating.
Quote of the day:
"If you have a different blade, skate backwards and slightly go on your toes where you can feel exactly how much more close or far away your toe pick is compared to old blades" by BJones
Happy Skating
October 9, 2012
On a short note:
Practice session went pretty well today - did my run through of both programs and I must say I am totally out of shape - what? even though I skate? yes, I do off ice and still I am out of shape. Skated my 2.0 min program and I was completely out of breath. What can I do to improve on my breathing? Help?
What is wrong with me or these blades?
It has been two weeks now that I decided to purchase some used skates and blades from my coach. Was it a mistake? No, I don't think so, I really love my Harlicks (which I did not pay $700 for) and I can say that about these darn blades (John Wilson Coronation Ace) I was told by Coach Brian that these are "really good" blades but some how they don't like me or I don't like them!!!
FYI:
I found after 3 1/2 years of skating 1. I was skating with the wrong size boot and 2. the wrong size blade 9 1/2 as oppose to 9 1/4 inch blade. How did I manage to skate I don't know. So here I am with 9 1/4 blade and it seems very difficult to get use to short blades. I have noticed that my sit and camel spins are really bad, cannot seem to get my center on my ball - guess because I was so use to skating with a larger blade. However, I have noticed a smoother glide on my edges and definitely improved on my jumps, it's just the spins that is actually hindering my skating especially with a competition coming up next week eeekkkk!
Quote of the day:
A good friend and a coach told me "pay extra attention to what feels right" She tells her students and myself to do this "go to the boards and find the blades "sweet spot" that smooth spinning spot. "Press on toward the front and slowly turn from side to side until it feels like a knife cutting through butter" by CP
It is very important whether you're are just learning to spin or just changed blades this is a learning process for me because this is my very first time with new blades. I am definitely trying this technique at my next session. You yourself know your body and your skating, listen to your skating you know what sounds right and something is not right. Don't hesitate to talk to others or your coach there might be something that might need adjusting. My coach told me that If I continue with this issue, my blade might need to be adjusted.
Happy Skating!!
Blades take some time. More than boots in most cases. You mention it's been two weeks, but how many hours of skating is that?
ReplyDeleteI'd see if there is a difference in the height of the heel between your old boots and new (used) boots as that can change the place on the ball of your foot where you hit the sweet spot. Your muscle memory may not be getting you onto the sweet spot on your new blades. If the 9.25 came on/with the boots they are probably the correct size blade (blades fit boots more than they fit you). But like boots, everyone has preferences and C.Aces may not be for you. I had cheapie beginner blades for far too long and couldn't spin, let alone center one worth a darn on those.
I bought a pair of C.Aces used and really didn't care for them at all. (I believe they are the most popular blade among all the other adult skaters at my rink, though.) My coach recommended MK Vision (and had for a while, but it was an investment I wasn't able to make at the time she first recommended). Eventually, I bit the bullet and spent the money on the visions. Once the new blades were mounted on my (custom) boots I was centering spins within a week.
I would probably give the C.Aces a few more hours on the ice before I thought about changing blades again, but talk in depth with your coach about what you are feeling in your muscles while you're working on the elements. You coach will be better able to direct you in making a decision to stay or change.
Thanks for the reminder that MM is next week...competitions always seem like arbitrary days far out in the future...then they sneak up on me. Guess I'd better start working on getting through my program and getting that dang Charlotte (candlestick, needle or whatever) up. Happy skating :-)
TJ:
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading!! I need all the advice I can get!! I am not liking these blades. My other blades for the MK Professional and I am seriously thinking of getting those or the higher up blade.
It is a bit frustrating because it took me so long to really get low on my sit spin and my camel was really getting the rotation (3) that I need and now I have to start all over. I've only been skating with these blades for the past 2 weeks and only 1 or 2 hours per week, really not enough time!!
Not to mention this competition next week, Coach decided that I should wait on my testing bronze MIF because this blade issue I am having - she doesn't want me tripping or doing something that might cause a re-test.
I cant believe how fast time flies MM next week and I feel ready but on the other hand seriously thinking about scratching my camel on my Open Silver program.
Happy Skating