Edges, Again

 My lesson with Holly on the CCIC freestyle.  Ice was just okay -- it was really humid from rain last night so a little crusty and foggy.  About 9 skaters.

Unfortunately, when I got to the rink I realized that I brought my patch skates, not my freestyle skates. So we had a patch lesson instead of freestyle.

Today's lesson:

• edges -- we spent out lesson on these.  Forward were mostly okay.  Back outside were pretty good.  Back inside needed some work.  Holly suggested that rather than being so focused on striking perpendicular to the long axis on the initial BI push that I settle for a shallower lobe for now so I can work on just getting a better push that's completely on the BI edge, not, as so often happens, a brief BO followed by a BI edge.  We worked on that a bit.

After my lesson I spent the remainder of my time working on edges and also 3s.

Edges

 I skated the Chandler adult skate for my patch lesson with Danette.  Nice ice, about 7 skaters.  While it was not that crowded, one skater was filming a virtual test and another was running her program so it was not the best environment for patch.  I also was running late and didn't get to warmup.

I'd been off the ice for two weeks for a variety of reasons, it was good to be back.

Today's lesson:

• forward edges & posture -- we spent this lesson just working on forward edges and improving my posture.  Danette had me do an exercise for edges where I push off, then skate briefly on two feet and then pick up my foot.  I tend to stand up straight on two feet so the point was to get me to skate the remainder of the edge with proper posture.  It will make a good warmup!

Edges

 My figures lesson with Danette on the Chandler adult skate.  Nice ice, about 10 skaters.  I just got my patch skates back from being sharpened.  Yay!

Today's lesson:

• edges -- Not so bad, all things considered.  We did a few of them 2x to clean up some sloppiness but all in all pretty decent.
• FO8 -- my circle size was out of control.  I need to start practicing with scribed circles again, because my circles were both too large and somewhat ill-formed.  And of course I'm not making it around on one push.  Argh.

This session is pretty crowded and it's Adult 2 so the more advanced skaters are on it, which makes it not so great for patch.  Not sure if I need to move to a different time slot, or what.

Spins & Jumps

 My lesson with Holly on the 7 a.m. FS at CCIC.  Okay ice, about 12 skaters but very doable.

Today's lesson:

• spins -- eep.  After some duds, I got one really good one!  The key was mostly, I think, to actually bring the free leg in, stand straight up over my skate, and not chicken out too early.  Alas, only that one was good, the rest not so much.  Still, it's progress.
• waltz jump -- just a few of these.  Pretty good, actually!
• salchow -- yow.  The very first one was really good! Well, the landing was a little wonky, but the entrance and takeoff were spot-on.  Again, the subsequent ones not as good. Still, I was pretty happy with it.

After my lesson I worked a bit on 3s and stroking, and then a couple of sals and spins.

Stroking & 3s

 My lesson with Danette on the Chandler adult skate.  My patch skates are still at the sharpener so we had a lesson in my freestyle blades.  I warmed up with edges.

Today's lesson:

• stroking -- this was mostly about posture.  I really don't like to just stand up straight, apparently.  Ugh.  
• 3s -- the majority of our time.  Alas, I'm no better in my freestyle blades than in patch.  I did get one really nice one, but for the most part they are still rather forced and hip-swingy.  I really think I just need to commit to really turning in to the circle and just doing the turn and not be so wimpy.  Also, a good reminder to keep the free leg close before, during and after the turn.  It really does help!

5-Step & Spins

 My lesson with Holly on the 7 a.m. FS at CCIC.  Okay ice, 13 skaters. I had first lesson.

Today's lesson:

• 5-step mohawk -- eep.  We worked a bit on trying to get my off my toe on the 3rd step.  Key point -- bend the knee more on the 2nd step and stay down. This really helped a lot.  Still needs more work but some improvement.  Yay.
• spins -- I got one that was pretty decent, tho it traveled. The point on this was not exiting early when I could have held it longer.  Ugh.

After my lesson, I worked some more on spins, did a waltz jump, and spent some time working on 3s also.

I'm not a fan of mornings, for sure, but I'm really enjoying these sessions.  Most of the club skaters are there and it's a really warm, fun environment.

Back At It

 I skated the 7 a.m. FS at CCIC for my first lesson with Holly since.. October, I think. Whee!  Ice was good, but seems the whole club was there!  Nice to see everyone.

We started off with perimeter crossovers.  Some work on the forward side to fix the pattern a bit.  On to 3s on the crease.  These are about the same (well, maybe a little better) as in patch skates.  We finished up with some waltz jumps, which were surprisingly okay.

After my lesson I worked a bit on the 5-step mohawk, and tried some spins (which didn't happen, oh well).

Good to be back.