This week, I am on Spring Break, as the high school I work at follows the university schedule pretty closely. So, not only am I on break, but so is the ice arena. Our arena is only open for part of the week, so I'll be making the most of that I can on the ice, as well as some extra off-ice training.
That being said, skating has gone VERY well for me these past few days, and I met my goal of doing a salchow! Jeremy and I started working on them on Wednesday morning, and I took a few spills in the process. I also ended up with a big bruise on my left knee from my landing edge, but man, has it been worth it! I know this jump will take a lot of work for me to get down, but my coach was very happy with me just landing on a 3/4 rotation. We also attempted a few toe loops, but I haven't worked on those much on ice yet, as I've been addicted to getting the salchow down. I worked on salchows at the FS session the next day, and managed to take a video of them. As I've said, I've got a lot of things to work on with this jump, but for doing them for only a day, I was pretty proud of myself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoMP0M1T1ME
Off-ice training
I've been making an effort to go our indoor track to practice off-ice several times a week. I'll be honest, my most dreaded thing there is jogging/running. I think it's partially being due to being inside, and feeling like being on that track is like a being in a hamster wheel. I'm hoping that once our weather warms up (I'm in Central-East Illinois), I'll be able to start running at a local park, or throughout my neighborhood. In the meantime, in order to hopefully boost my interest in jogging/running is by using a "C25K" (couch to 5k) from my ipod. I have absolutely NO interest in signing up for a 5k (which is approximinately 3 miles) at this point in time. However, I am hoping that following the training program, which spreads over 9 weeks at 3 days per week, will help build my endurance.
In addition to running, I can really use ideas for plyrometrics, as I'm really needing to work on power and rotation with my jumps. Here's two things that I'm doing for anyone that's wanting some ideas:
Bench Jumps (use a bench that is fairly low, about mid-calf in height).
1. Start with feet facing forward
2. While still on the ground, bend your right knee, other knee up (arms are behind as if to prep for a jump)
3. Hop onto the bench with your free foot landing on the bench. (arms come forward)
4. Use your body weight to step up on to the bench with your left leg (arms begin to cross)
5. Hop with the left leg to change legs, so you land on your right leg. (arms are crossed)
6. Step off the bench with your left leg. (arms back down)
I've been doing these in about 2-3 sets of 10. You can also switch the legs depending on what you need to work on, or whatever you feel like doing.
Stationary Jump
1. Stand with feet shoulder apart
2. Squat down as low as you can with arms behind you
3. Jump up as high as you can, bringing the arms forward and then crossing them.
4. Land on your feet with arms behind you. Do 10 times.
4. On the last time, when you land, instead of landing on both feet, land in your landing position, and hold for 5 seconds.
Circular Jump
1. Repeat the steps from the stationary jump, but for each jump, you rotate 1/4 around. If you want more of a challenge, then go 1/2 away.
One last thing
With doing off-ice work, especially with jogging/running, I find it very helpful to listen to music with a beat, so for me, this means a lot of pop music. As much as I love classical music and other genres, pop music is generally the best for me when I need something with a strong beat. If you're looking for a playlist, feel free to use these as suggestions:
Lady Gaga: Born this way, Judas, You and I, Edge of Glory, Scheibe, Just Dance, Paparazzi, Poker Face, Bad Romance
P!nk: Raise Your Glass, Try, Just Give Me A Reason
Shaikira: Waka Waka (This is Africa)
Madonna: Revolver (feat.Lil Wayne)
Adelle: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour has it
Kenny and the Scotts: I Would Walk 500 miles
Beyonce: Halo, Single Ladies
Kelly Clarkson: Stronger (What doesn't kill you)
Dynamite: Taio Cruz
Happy Skating!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
I did it!!!
Last weekend, I know that I was very frustrated with my skating. As a classically trained musician (flutist/piccoloist/singer), I know all too well that bad rehearsals often lead to excellent performances. We just have to get that one or two really rough rehearsals out of the way. In my experience, skating is the exact same way. I had to get to get that one really discouraging skate out of the way so that I could skate well for my test.
So, back on Wednesday, I tested FS 1. I have to admit, I was very nervous during the FS session right beforehand. I wasn't wasn't shaking from the nerves, but I definitely had the butterflies in my stomach. Since this was an official test session at my rink, I skated in front of three judges, all of which are coaches at the rink. First, they judged me on all of my elements (forward pivot, 2 foot spin, arabesque, backward edges, 1/2 flip jump, waltz jump). During my arabesque, one of my former coaches who was judging me shouted, "That looks so much better!," which was really great for me to hear! When I had worked with her, I could barely get my leg up to the required 90 degree angle, and now, I'm able to get it much higher as I've been working on my flexibility. It was so nice to know all of that hard work on that spiral paid off!
As for my program itself, it went okay, although a few things didn't go as well as I would've liked, particularly with my two foot spin and my 1/2 flip jump. However, I don't think any program goes absolutely 100% perfect. My pivot and spirals went fine, and for once in my life, I went for my waltz jump with more speed and courage. My coach later told me that he had never seen me do that before with the waltz jump, which was a really good thing. I ended my program with a T-stop, and was still standing on two feet. :)
I was not asked to re-skate anything, and when I asked the judges if I passed, they said yes! YAHOO!! My scores ranged from mostly 5/6 from one judge (scores are based from 1-10, with 5 being a pass) who is known to be very tough, but I also got a good dose of 7s,8s, and even a few 9s thrown in for good measure. My 8s and 9s were mostly for my arabesque and pivot. My program scores, in general were decent, but those also showed room for improvement, and I'm totally okay with that. I was more concerned on getting through all of my elements rather than making it look totally pretty and stuff, so it was to be expected. I did 10s for my program length, so I at least don't have to worry about that in the future.
Now that I'm officially in FS 2, I have a whole new set of things to master. I've been working on the FS 2 dance step sequence for a while, but that needs a lot of cleaning up. In addition, I've also been working on my 1 foot spin. Like the dance step sequence, it needs a lot of cleaning up, but it's totally doable, and I hope to have 6 rotations down in just a few weeks. In addition, I started working on a 1/2 lutz jump, ballet jump, and 1/2 toe wally. My coach expects that I'll have these moves down really soon, which makes it that much more exciting for me. This is because I have a huge goal of landing my first full rotation jump by the end of the semester. Our rink closes in early May, so this is something that I'm going to do my best to work REALLY hard for. If I don't do a single rotation jump by the end of the semester, it's not the end of the world, but I know that I'm getting closer and closer to doing it. :)
So, back on Wednesday, I tested FS 1. I have to admit, I was very nervous during the FS session right beforehand. I wasn't wasn't shaking from the nerves, but I definitely had the butterflies in my stomach. Since this was an official test session at my rink, I skated in front of three judges, all of which are coaches at the rink. First, they judged me on all of my elements (forward pivot, 2 foot spin, arabesque, backward edges, 1/2 flip jump, waltz jump). During my arabesque, one of my former coaches who was judging me shouted, "That looks so much better!," which was really great for me to hear! When I had worked with her, I could barely get my leg up to the required 90 degree angle, and now, I'm able to get it much higher as I've been working on my flexibility. It was so nice to know all of that hard work on that spiral paid off!
As for my program itself, it went okay, although a few things didn't go as well as I would've liked, particularly with my two foot spin and my 1/2 flip jump. However, I don't think any program goes absolutely 100% perfect. My pivot and spirals went fine, and for once in my life, I went for my waltz jump with more speed and courage. My coach later told me that he had never seen me do that before with the waltz jump, which was a really good thing. I ended my program with a T-stop, and was still standing on two feet. :)
I was not asked to re-skate anything, and when I asked the judges if I passed, they said yes! YAHOO!! My scores ranged from mostly 5/6 from one judge (scores are based from 1-10, with 5 being a pass) who is known to be very tough, but I also got a good dose of 7s,8s, and even a few 9s thrown in for good measure. My 8s and 9s were mostly for my arabesque and pivot. My program scores, in general were decent, but those also showed room for improvement, and I'm totally okay with that. I was more concerned on getting through all of my elements rather than making it look totally pretty and stuff, so it was to be expected. I did 10s for my program length, so I at least don't have to worry about that in the future.
Now that I'm officially in FS 2, I have a whole new set of things to master. I've been working on the FS 2 dance step sequence for a while, but that needs a lot of cleaning up. In addition, I've also been working on my 1 foot spin. Like the dance step sequence, it needs a lot of cleaning up, but it's totally doable, and I hope to have 6 rotations down in just a few weeks. In addition, I started working on a 1/2 lutz jump, ballet jump, and 1/2 toe wally. My coach expects that I'll have these moves down really soon, which makes it that much more exciting for me. This is because I have a huge goal of landing my first full rotation jump by the end of the semester. Our rink closes in early May, so this is something that I'm going to do my best to work REALLY hard for. If I don't do a single rotation jump by the end of the semester, it's not the end of the world, but I know that I'm getting closer and closer to doing it. :)
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Since I've started lessons with my new coach, I've been working really hard to improve my skating, both off and on the ice. I'm even trying to eat healthier most of the time. It's like I have this overwhelming need to please and prove to my coach that I AM working my tail off, and honestly trying to learn whatever he throws at me. I know that I probably shouldn't feel this way, but I do. However, today was a very frustrating skate, and I honestly felt like crying (wouldn't have been the first time), and I really felt like that I didn't have anything to show for all of my hard work that I've been doing. As an adult skater, I know that I'm not the only one that has ever felt like this, but sometimes, it's so discouraging to see younger skaters at the rink who seemingly "get" the moves and jumps right away, and just fly through levels, while it's taking me a lot longer to do everything.
What's mostly been frustrating me is my waltz jump. I can, and have done the jump many times. However, my biggest bugger has been the kick through. I can never seem to get enough kick through to my jumps bigger. It's like I get to the point where I just sorta freeze because I'm afraid of falling flat on my face.This totally showed up today in my lesson, and at this point, especially with my test being on Wednesday (yes, I'm FINALLY testing then), I feel like that I should be over that hump by now. I have done drills both off and on ice to work on the kick through, and what I did have to show for it today? Not.a.thing! For once in my skating life, I want to show my coach a really good, clean waltz jump that has some height and air time! Right now, they're still tiny jumps, and its so incredibly frustrating!
We also did a run through of my program today, and I guess I shouldn't say it was all bad (since it wasn't), but I got majorly off in my music, which threw me off with everything else. This was mainly due to the rink being crowded, so there were a lot of people in the center circle, which blocked my way, even though I was wearing the "program" scarf that we wear when we are doing programs in busy sessions. I felt that my performance was very scratchy, I totally missed one of my elements, didn't get all of my revolutions on my spin, my waltz jump was pitiful, and I struggled with my spiral.
After my program run through finished, my coach and I went to the boards, where I sat down on one of the benches behind it. By this point, I was so frustrated that I wanted to cry and even chuck my skates across the ice. I know that my coach could tell that I was majorly frustrated because the first thing he told me to do was breathe. He then asked me about the good things on the program, and honestly, I really didn't want to answer him at that point. I was just too frustrated at that point where I didn't even want to speak, and also had half a mind to tell him to back off and leave me alone. However, knowing that he is doing a great job as a coach, I need to reciprocate by continuing to give him my attention and respect that he deserves. So I answered him, although we both knew that I was treading on very thin ice emotionally at that point. I took a few more breaths, and got back onto the ice. Although my frustration was still very present, we had hoped to do a second run though.
I didn't get the chance for the second run through since FS was up for the day. I don't know if the second run through would have done me any good or not. However, knowing that a lot of skaters have a bad run through or two before a competition or test, I'm hoping this was the same for me. That way, I can focus on having a clean skate for my test on Wednesday.
What's mostly been frustrating me is my waltz jump. I can, and have done the jump many times. However, my biggest bugger has been the kick through. I can never seem to get enough kick through to my jumps bigger. It's like I get to the point where I just sorta freeze because I'm afraid of falling flat on my face.This totally showed up today in my lesson, and at this point, especially with my test being on Wednesday (yes, I'm FINALLY testing then), I feel like that I should be over that hump by now. I have done drills both off and on ice to work on the kick through, and what I did have to show for it today? Not.a.thing! For once in my skating life, I want to show my coach a really good, clean waltz jump that has some height and air time! Right now, they're still tiny jumps, and its so incredibly frustrating!
We also did a run through of my program today, and I guess I shouldn't say it was all bad (since it wasn't), but I got majorly off in my music, which threw me off with everything else. This was mainly due to the rink being crowded, so there were a lot of people in the center circle, which blocked my way, even though I was wearing the "program" scarf that we wear when we are doing programs in busy sessions. I felt that my performance was very scratchy, I totally missed one of my elements, didn't get all of my revolutions on my spin, my waltz jump was pitiful, and I struggled with my spiral.
After my program run through finished, my coach and I went to the boards, where I sat down on one of the benches behind it. By this point, I was so frustrated that I wanted to cry and even chuck my skates across the ice. I know that my coach could tell that I was majorly frustrated because the first thing he told me to do was breathe. He then asked me about the good things on the program, and honestly, I really didn't want to answer him at that point. I was just too frustrated at that point where I didn't even want to speak, and also had half a mind to tell him to back off and leave me alone. However, knowing that he is doing a great job as a coach, I need to reciprocate by continuing to give him my attention and respect that he deserves. So I answered him, although we both knew that I was treading on very thin ice emotionally at that point. I took a few more breaths, and got back onto the ice. Although my frustration was still very present, we had hoped to do a second run though.
I didn't get the chance for the second run through since FS was up for the day. I don't know if the second run through would have done me any good or not. However, knowing that a lot of skaters have a bad run through or two before a competition or test, I'm hoping this was the same for me. That way, I can focus on having a clean skate for my test on Wednesday.
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