June 2006
Week of June 4, 2006
A Fortuitous Public
A friend and I both took a day off from work to go skating together. We just had to decide where and when to skate. An afternoon freestyle precluded going out for lunch as we would be too full and lazy once the session began. A morning freestyle was impractical due to rush hour traffic. So we chose a daytime public that neither of us had tried before. The very back of the rink was coned off for group lessons given to very young children. A few adult beginners were on the ice along with some children who should have been in school.
We both happily skated stroking exercises and moves in the field for about forty-five minutes before beginning to spin. I centered a gorgeous attitude spin that rotated forever as I slowly pulled my free leg in to the side. A rink guard told us we could not spin or jump during this session. She was genuinely apologetic about it because there were so few people on the ice and freestyle skating is generally permitted. Apparently someone was in the front office begging to be permitted on the session to practice a program. A manager denied the person admission, and in order to be fair, no one was allowed to spin or jump. A program consumes the entire surface, while intermediate adults practicing a spin or single jump requires only isolated amounts of space. However, I did not really care. We were having a good time just doing moves.
I used this restriction as an opportunity to invent new patterns incorporating forward inside three-turns in both directions interspersed with backward crossovers and forward strokes. I did a sequence consisting of a change-edge swing roll into an inside mohawk turn to a back crossover, step forward, and repeat in the opposite direction. The objective of these patterns is to skate with as much power and edge quality as possible while maintaining mirror image equality. This used to be very difficult for me, but after years of emphasis on basic skating skills, I have gotten quite good at it.
Some deep lunges taken from very fast skating concluded the session. I got off the ice and plopped down beside my friend on a bench. As we took off our skates we watched a younger woman teach a cute little girl how to glide on one foot. The child left the ice for a break and the woman skated a few precious minutes for herself. She was an exquisite skater. Beautiful long limbs combined with excellent body carriage, soft knees, and glorious extension made her a wonderful sight. She performed the most incredible hydroblade element I have ever witnessed. Both arms touched the ice and she skimmed her cheek seemingly defying gravity as she hovered precariously close to the hard, cold surface. My friend and I applauded our approval. “Where can I get one of those?” I called jokingly.
The woman came over to us and introduced herself. The answer to my rhetorical question was obvious. I needed to take lessons from her. I asked for her telephone number and told her I would like to start in about a month, after I return from vacation. She retired from junior national level ice dancing a few years ago and is now coaching her way through college. This younger woman embodies the ideal to which I aspire. I think I have met the person who will take me to the next level of skating excellence.
Week of June 18, 2006
A New Friend and A New Move
I went solo to a public session this week. Most of my recent skating has been with friends, which I enjoy tremendously. However, skating requires self-motivation. Often I arrange to meet a friend to get myself motivated. If someone is expecting me, I will go to the rink instead of taking the day completely off, which can be a temptation after a few bad days at work. Friendships are among the many rewards of adult skating. Rarely do I go to a session and not interact with other adults. Usually the only time this happens is when I am the only mature person on the ice.
This was not one of my frequented sessions, but I ran into someone I know and met a couple of new people. A woman about my age introduced herself and complimented my skating. She commented on my spins, which is the most common remark my skating draws from observers. But she admired my posture and grace first. I was absolutely flattered. This means the efforts I have invested in basic skating skills and moves in the field are paying off. People are noticing different qualities in my skating instead of just my quirky ability to spin like a top. Actually, I did very little spinning on this session. Most of the time I worked various patterns, many of them my own inventions to ferret out weaknesses and promote ambidexterity.
My control has definitely improved from these exercises. I have begun to tack turns and footwork onto jump entrances or exits. For example, I practiced waltz jumps in an ongoing pursuit of truly big, floating (and elusive) air. Instead of gaining significant hang time, I explored manipulation of the landing edge. From the back outside edge, I pulled a change to a back inside. From there, I executed a back inside three-turn to complete the skill with a forward outside edge, which I held to demonstrate control. This is difficult, and I am thrilled to be able to do it. It indicates progress with backward three-turns, a former roadblock to my progress through moves tests.
After the session I sat with my new friend and unlaced my skates. I had a great time and am thinking of trying to pass a couple of adult tests this summer, if I can find consistent ice time.
Week of June 25, 2006
Axels on Deck
The above title gives away two bits of information. One, I am thinking of axels yet again. Two, I went on another cruise. This will be our sixth cruise in just over three years. My husband and I have become addicted to cruising. This ship had, by far, the best cuisine of the six. I ate like a pig and I worked out like an ox. Some people dislike exercise, mainly because they think it is boring. Myself, I enjoy exercise. I am fascinated by what my body can do, because I am in good shape in spite of a few extra pounds and the resulting roller coaster ride. What I find miserable is not eating. Therefore, I allow myself to eat within reason, but I work out quite rigorously. Here are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. What I consider “within reason” skinny people might look upon as gluttony. But what I consider “quite rigorous” couch potatoes might equate with Olympic training. I readily work out for over two hours at a time, and was logging an average of three to four hours of exercise per day on the cruise.
So, about the “axels on deck”… I had just eaten dinner. Of course, I was not hungry at the time, having enjoyed a late lunch after going ashore earlier in the day. The gym had closed, so I went for a walk on deck, around and around the ship, sweating in the cool humid sea air. No one was around, so I thought about the axel. I have been thinking about the take-off of the axel lately and my prior tendency to jump around myself, a problem that plagues many skaters trying to break out of the low freestyle ranks. The free leg must lift straight outward and up as though leaping onto a staircase. The hard part is that one must land backward on the staircase in the back spin position. Fine, but how is rotation achieved? The employed foot must push off the ice and initiate rotation without executing a turn. It’s all in the push. I practiced this by holding my free leg in position and pushing off. With this understood, I performed the move with the required kick of the free leg, and it worked well. I landed on one foot and hopped out. It is important not to try to stick a landing on the floor (or on deck!). It can twist the knee or ankle. A good run out on the ice reduces the risk of this injury.
I have not skated lately, but have thought about skating. I need to get back on the ice and work toward my summer goals.
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