Off-ice work--it WILL pay off!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wckn21Bc9chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zC9p9vKwJ0
Since our rink closed in May for the summer, I've been working on skating-related skills off-ice, and just trying to make myself as healthy as possible.  A big accomplishment for me has been running, especially since I've decided to do my first 5K on June 22.  I've been using a freebie Couch to 5K app (C25K) from ZenLabs since mid-March. I started the program because I needed something to keep me motivated with running and to some extent, track my progress.  Before I started with the program, I tried running laps at the rink. I started off with just running a lap or two, then add on laps each week. However, I found that it wasn't really working for me, so it was hard for me to stick with it, especially since I didn't have a definite plan.  So I came across the app and gave it a go.  Although I didn't necessarily run every other day as the program recommends, or decided to repeat a day or two because I felt the need to do so, bad weather, schedule conflicts (like the ice show rehearsals), etc., I stuck it out.  Basically, I decided when I was ready to do the run on my own terms, but I did shoot for trying to run at least twice a week. I'm not going to lie, A LOT of those runs were really hard, but I also had some really good ones in there as well, and it was an awesome feeling to have that "I rock! I can do this!" feeling. 

That being said, I have one last day on my training program, and that's Day 3 of week 8.  I'm determined to make it through the full 30 minutes. I hope to make it to the three miles (or at least close), but if I don't, I want to at least be jogging the full time.  Unfortunately, now that it's summer, it won't be as cool for me to run in, so I will have to watch it with jogging in the warmer weather.  However, I am determined to do it, and actually have at the 5K.

The cool thing about the 5K is that that's a "fun" run/walk event, so if I need to walk, THAT IS FINE (have to remind myself of that).  It's a "pi/pie" run through our local park district, so at each of the main water stations throughout the race, there will be also pie served from local bakeries. At the end of the race, I'm choosing to run with "flying pies," which means I can have pies thrown at me as I cross the finish line.  I can choose to go "pie free." However, the former sounds a lot more fun!  Plus, this event is un-timed, which is PERFECT for a first time 5K jogger like myself.  A few weeks ago, if you were to ask me if I was ever going to do a 5K, my answer would've been a quick, "no!" I knew I should've kept my mouth shut with that one.... :)

When I'm not out running, I've been either doing off-ice stuff at home or at a local indoor track.  Since I live in an upstairs apartment, I refrain from working on jumping. so that I don't make my neighbor mad with all the thumping around.  However, I have been working on things like a "check in/check out" drill with weights, holding a plank position, tricep push-ups, modified and regular push-ups, rotating push-ups, sit-up/crunches and their variations, beginning sit spin positions (those are HARD), along with stretching.  Stretching wise, I pretty much have my left leg split, center is getting better, and right split still needs A LOT of work.  My right leg is much harder for me to get into that stretch, partially because it feels awkward.  Plus, I'm having to be careful with the hamstring area, as I've noticed that it just only wants to go so far, and I really just can't (and shouldn't) fight it. So, I'm doing what I can to work with it, and it will gradually get better. For those of you who may want a good stretching video on splits, feel free to check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvEC3x603Gc&list=PL-foYRcy0Hoo8fr20gxZAC-dL7CnsZwQo. She has "follow along" videos that you can try to help leg strength and flexibility.  I will say that for the leg flexibility, please be aware you may be sore the next day, and your legs may feel like jello for a while afterwards.

When I am at the indoor track, I'm including more plyometric work (such as jumping or hopping off of benches), and recently started working on getting full rotations in the air while jumping.  It's still a MAJOR work in progress, I have been able to a full rotation jump in my normal clockwise direction, and in the counterclockwise direction.  Although I'm just on two feet now, my hope is to eventually do them on one foot, with good body poise and check-out.  If you want to see the clips that I have on them, you can see them on my youtube channel (jfluter). 

Last but not least, despite all this hard work that I know I'm putting in with my off-ice training, I sometimes ask myself, "Am I really getting better?  Will my hard work be noticeable when I get back to the rink?"  I think this is because I sometimes (okay, a lot), expect too much out of myself, even if I'm just a beginner at something.  For instance, I literally just working on the sit spin position a few days ago.  I know I have the flexibility to get down lower, but the strength is a totally different story, especially since I'm essentially balancing on my toe, trying to get my butt lower. I have to keep reminding myself that just because I'm not getting the full position now, doesn't mean I won't, and heck, that spin itself is at least one level higher than what I'm currently skating at, so it's going to take a lot of patience.  However, the OTHER things I've been doing (running, rotational jumps, push-ups, etc), there's NO WAY that I could've even done vast majority of those things for a full minute a few months ago, let alone do some things like a set of rotating push-ups, plank hold, and push-ups back to back for a minute each like a I did tonight.  Plus, on my "check in/check out" drill, I added a full pound wrist weight, in addition to my regular 5 pound weights that I've been using.  I'm even thinking of starting to include my balance disc for more balancing drills (maybe even the check in/check out one), so if that's not progress, someone please that questioning part of my brain because it needs to shut up!

 Stay strong and keep skating (off or on-ice)!