Saturday, May 25, 2013

Do I have abilities?

May 25, 2013

I got up early this morning and didn't sleep in haha...headed to the rink and of course it was crowded.  Given the thought that I can get there early I would have the ice to myself is just to much to ask.  Though summer is here and the munchkins are out of school means crowded ice.  So what this skater  to do?  I am not sure but, I have decided to skate in the am during the week aside from my normal lessons. Want to get my act together and prove to my coach that I am not a failure and no more meltdowns.  I have to repeat my affirmation "I can do this".

Today's skate:
Well for starters worked strictly on moves, moves, and more moves....I think I dream MIF in my sleep but then again...its the only way I can better myself and pass this test Bronze MIF yikes!!!! here is a breakdown of what's expected at the test session.  I am 50 years young and I've decided to skate Adult Masters Track only available for MIF free skate in just Adult Standard Track.
  1. Forward and backward perimeter stroking; focus: continuous flow and strength
  2. Forward power 3 turns; focus: continous flow and strength
  3. Alternating backward crossovers to backward outside edges; focus: continuous flow and strength
  4. Forward Circle Eight; focus: Edge quality, continuous flow
  5. Five-step mohawk sequence: focus: edge quality and extension
Sounds easy....NOT!!! all you have to do is skate the test within 14 minutes and a passing average of 2.5 and a passing total of 11.5.  There's much involved to these elements.  Skating on the axis and make sure that you skate an equal and same size of lobe on the ice.  Tracings and quality of edge work is also very important also is trying to have the correct count for stroking and position.  I am keeping focused, confident and hoping for the best if not then there is always a Retry (hoping not to).

On a quick note:
Manage to skate a good free skate and also worked on my back scratch spin which is a tormenting for me...but its getting there slowly.  My salcow/loop jump is getting better can now hold my position after the 3 turn and not rush the landing into the loop jump - still its a working progress but I am hoping put this in my free skate program eventually.

Something I feel a need to share with you all and maybe you can relate to this: While writing this blog post that even the "negative aspects" of skating is also part of my journey and experiences as an adult skater.  Even the elite skaters have other skaters that don't like them and always trying to bring them down.

Here it goes:
Last month, someone (skater) wrote in a comment on facebook saying "I am only a Pre-bronze skater and I can barely do a waltz jump and have any "abilities" to even get on a harness and try dbl sal".  

Why do people like miss interpret things to suit themselves to hurt others?. Keep reading....  This comment came about by a post that I had wrote: "So, coach is going tol put me on the harness to show me a what its is like to do the scooping "entry" like how its done on a double sal...so I can get the "scooping" motion on my  single jumps" (salcow and toe) not that I am working on them now or anytime in the future.  Coaches like to test skaters' abilities to try new jumps, spins etc.

No matter what you or I post....there will be times that others will dis-agree and its ok!! but to take a positive thing and/or an accomplishment make it a negative reaction. This really comment hurt me and stayed with me for a while - had to question myself and  my abilities as a skater.
I did medal gold and silver at 2013 Adult Eastern Sectionals....I am not just a Pre-Bronze/Bronze level skater, I am an ISI skater level  FS 5 aka Open Silver.

So the question is: Do I have abilities?: 
DAMN RIGHT!!! I have abilities, skills, determination, passion and the strength to overcome negative people, injuries and my health!!!  There are people like this every where and its my fuel to make it to the top and not look back!!! There will always be hater(s) that will bring you down and say things to discourage you!!! and love to rain on your parade when you land a jump or got that spin you've been working on.....I skate for myself and nobody else!!! I dont have to prove myself and/or my abilities to NO ONE but myself!!!!
Do what you love no matter who tells you different

Happy Skating

Monday, May 20, 2013

Skating in the a.m.

May 20, 2013
I don't know when last I skated a morning session but today was the day....I am not a morning person nor is my daughter Christina which she too skated this morning.  We looked so funny, walking to the rink from the parking lot looking like zombies lol....Trying so bad to get moving and wake-up but the only way was doing some off ice and jump rotations for starters.  One positive thing about skating a morning session is 1. It was not crowed like the afternoon session and 2. there were no munchkins crossing my way or teenagers socializing in the center of the ice.   It's always a treat to have the rink all to yourself and I am really thinking about skating again on Wednesday.

Practice/Lesson
I have to say that I worked on my MIF - feeling much confident and getting the counts and pattern correctly.  I am staying focused and progressing one session at a time. Coach put me on the harness today and it was so much fun a bit painful with my lower back but I love it when she pulls me up in the air....hehehe coach told "you need to put on some weight, you are so light" haha I am sorry but I just don't gain weight no matter what I eat (thyroid issues) that's for another day and blog post.

I am so happy to report that my loops jumps actually getting air time woot, woot....next is to tackle my flip jump I did land a nice one today but there is plenty of room for improvement.  My flip jump is now a hit or miss since I am not working to much on jumps right now but more on moves.  Gearing up to test soon and I don't want to be bombarded with other nemesis tormenting.  Just want to think positive and no matter what happens at the next test session, I am ok with it!!! Move on to the next or Retry.

Power Class:
My next challenge.  My coach thinks is a great idea to start power class this summer.  This class will help me with speed and endurance form and moves. I am hoping that I can survive - since I've heard its intense...I don't want to make a fool out of myself and two carried out on a stretcher.  Again, have to think positive and I will get through it.  Looking forward to summer skating full of training, practices and lots of fun.

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing" by Walt Disney
Happy Skating

Friday, May 3, 2013

When the going gets tough!


May 2, 2012
I was feeling a bit frustrated and a sense of what am I doing?...is it time to hang my skates?    but with the support of my fellow adult skaters who share same thoughts and feelings as me, they said this: "don't give up when it gets tough or frustrating - go out there and do something different beside what's making you frustrated.  Indeed this is so true and that is exactly what I did.

Today's Skating Lesson:
I stepped into the ice with no expectations thinking to myself is it really worth it all the pain, injury, failures and not to mention financial worries?  But, I swallowed my pride and did practiced my MIF and skated elements that I felt I am good at which took my mind off of what was frustrating me.  I did have a good skate and lesson!!! I've been thru hell and back with training since last year and all the injuries finally feeling close to normalcy and looking forward to testing this season.

Did my run through of my free skate since Sectionals and hamstring recovery and to my surprise my coach was very pleased with my program, jumps and especially my *back spin*  thanks to all my skating peeps who gave me the best tips ever!!! it really helped me a lot.  She was mostly impressed with my sit spin which was centered and low.  My coach doesn't tell me often how well I am doing, but when she does its a good thing!!!


I have to work a little bit more on my free skate and try to correct some stroking, stronger knee bend and crosscuts, which is an issue when I see myself skating on video.  These are basic elements that have to be corrected now and will result in a well balance program in the long run.  Its not a bad thing to go back to basics once and in a while....I know its been years for but I enjoy doing basic skills no matter what level.  Sometimes, we get a bit carried away with spins, jumps etc. and we tend to forget the simplest elements.

Note to self:
When the going gets tough....the "tough" gets going!!!
  Sometimes its does get hard and overwhelming at one point or another...but with skating it comes with the territory.  Never give up!! no matter how hard it is...you've come thus far to just throw it all way....I say; "determination, perseverance and lots of patients" 



Live Your Dreams To Its Fulliest
Happy Skating