Thursday training

Im again writing post far after training. Always not much time during weekdays and weekends :)

Now maybe a little bit hard to remember what steps was at training.
Main success of the day - we move a little forward with coach and start work with sit spin. Never think that I will be so happy training sit spin again :)
But for me really important do not only steps but some other element what can show that I improve my skating.

So at training I did:
crossovers, 4-3-2-1 and 1-2-3-4 change forward to back move with Mohawk, with put hands up with changing foot.
step with toe around. don't remember start (I still not good with clear understanding and memorizing). main thing what I remember about this step -  that need do push like with back crossover, hold left hand in front and then move back on your toes around (one-two-three), cross, step forward, 3turn inside (+something else and then again move on toes) - something like this...
all this steps combinations I need wright straight after training otherwise its just impossible remember for me...

then forward upright spin. I show coach few times. it was not great but she was ok with it. just made comment about free hand and leg - hold behind while move to spin entrance.

and lucky moment - sit spin!!! step forward :)
I show coach L in what conditions my sit spin and received few comments:
- hold left hand infront of you
- try move body forward hand
- keep free hand and leg behind at entrance and than move together to left hand (and move body forward)
- sit lower - for this need not put legs too close to each other, leave some gap or will be just impossible to sit
- not move right leg across left (that's my mistake), try hold right leg turn toes to the right side
- what else? did I already tell about sit lower. yes I can repeat it- that's main point for me!!!

so need have right technique and strong legs what can hold your body. otherwise you will be often laying on the ice (like me!). but its not scary, so close distance to ice :)

I tried this spin few times but its looks not much impressive, hard get exactly all elements together. Only after training when I was practicing few more times I can manage to do one good enough spin. and finish at positive point :)

Funny that after all my worries and negative thinking, I just let situation go, relax, and finally get good training and positive emotions on ice. Good start (I hope :)

P.S.
Sit spin counting judges at competitions only if your free foot lower that your knee - otherwise its will be recognise like upright spin. So need be careful with choosing spins in program - safer do sit spin and not upright but change foot spin or combination or something else... of course if you can. :) at my point right now I can hardly do only upright and sit spin, but will see later :)

Even not dream about doing jumps on training...interesting how far I from this point? only my coach knows :)
But its not so matter. Just enjoying ice!

And last weekend was our 2 years anniversary marriage (2 years - 2 babies) - feels like 5 years truly :)

Thursday training

Its only 2 days to next training and I still not wright anything about last one.
I guess because its been really emotional and made me upset.

Start was good - I been intime. A little disappointing that my friends - another adults skater not been on ice. Its always enjoyable to see other adults and have nice conversation about ice skating and life :)
So on ice I did warm-up - some cross-overs and other simple steps. And then with coach start work on steps at 8 shape.
During the process we find out that after almost 5 years skating before brake I could did some steps (even hard) but I don't have BASE (I never work with 8 shape and never done some steps) - I guess because it was training in groups and never enough ice and space for do anything like this. But for my new coach its sounds ridiculous.
- How you can do jumps or spins without base, without steps?
She was so emotional so its made me feel really bad. Of course I understand and agree with what she said, but I could do some steps and jumps and spins before (maybe not perfect, but good enough, even for be with medals in bronze category). But now I feel that I cant do anything proper.
I just cant straight put together steps what new for me (I not mean totally new step, I mean new way put them together - combination).
And after pregnancies its looks like I really hard understand what exactly I need to do on ice, just cant get it when coach saying, not quit get it when coach showing, maybe a little closer to it when try myself work out with my body (then coach saying and show again, I tryid, and again and again and again).
I guess my coach often thinking that I just stupid and not good in skating. But I just need time for get new order of steps and then if I understand I perfectly doing it, just coach not seen it :(
So what new and hard for me I did at training?
don't remember start, but then I work with 8 in 3 stage (3 circles):
1. waltz step in both direction
2. waltz step, 3 turn outside, crossover 3double back-turn inside
3.waltz step, 3 turn outside, crossover, loop step, crossover, 3double back-turn inside
actually I think I don't remember right order, how continue after this - all steps need go after each other.
Oh, its so annoying - what with my memory!!!

And another step:
crossover, Jackson step (another name - Mohawk or 4step), cross leg, run on toes around, cross, step to another leg and repeat the same.
Cant even describe how long I try understand this step. I just cant get that leg need put on Jackson outside (back to circle).
My coach then asked me what exactly I don't understand, and then we work only with Jackson step on the circle. and afterwards I did this step, and practice myself after training.
But I been really upset with all training that I cant get all steps and coach words, and its made for me training not enjoyable at all. And I realised that when I feel not good its really hard did any element. All happening with bad quality and not happy feelings.
So I was skating just another 10-15 min and then leave the ice.

Half day I was thinking is it really worth it. For what I doing it with all stressful environment around (drop kids, drive through traffic, pay big money for training from family budget etc)
Its really hard realised that something what you really want still far away, and your abilities not quit the same like your wishes. I live in past where I was good enough skater with good skating, some jumps and spins, and training few times per week. But now I busy mum with 3 kids, I don't have much time for skating, don't have much money, and don't have good body shape (not fit after 2 my pregnancies).
But if I want same good result, took part at competitions I need more skating, be in good body shape (off-ice exercise), and have more money for hobby.
So decided gave to me 2 more month with slowly step by step trainings, and see what results gonna be.
Then like plan move baby in childcare for 2 days (morning sessions) - at this moment she with my kind friend what pregnant and expecting baby in May (so I really cant ask her about second time per week look after baby, and soon she anyway cant help ne with it.) and baby will be nearly 9-10 month.
Next step - have membership in gym.

And another main step - just enjoy skating. Without it impossible any progress. WHy I need training doing so stressful for me. Better just relax, be ok with what I have at this moment and look forward changes, even if they slowly.
And one more point - looking for part-time job (at weekend). What looks at this moment like complicated task (without NZ education and work experience, references).
But I not lost my hope :)

P.S.

About Jackson step:
will try explain how to do it
1.step outside edge forward left leg, 2.Mohawk with right foot (outside edge back).
3.move left leg across right (skating backwards), 4.step forward right foot
and continue
because of 4 stages some coaches call this step - 4step.
Good luck everybody!

sorry for my not always positive thinking. But life often move us up and down. Only at our hands keep positive and have hope. And sometimes its hard to do...

Back to Basic

Yesterday training was like back to basic.
Not did anything hard (just moving forward and back with changing edge on one foot, and forward 3 turns - outside and inside). Base.
Did few openings for me:

1. hands work. hands (arms) need move up and down with each turn along the body (not around or be just fix like I doing. its just not allow you doing all proper and its happened against you move - not helping). sounds simple, but really hard do for me - because I not use to it.
when I start think about hands - my legs move just without any control, and I lost it.

2. knee work. up and down. sit - get up. that's how its might be. (not just fix in one position). actually knee really helping do right. and if they works proper - you will have beautiful edge, deep and strong move with speed (often you lost your speed because not work with your knee and body not helping at all - you move became slower and slower and then you cant do anything - just stop)...

top sportsmen have health problems with knee often (especially those who lift their partners). I found with my weight grow I often feel pain in right knee (remember how few years ago really terrible fall down on ice. so pain still with me.

3. rhythm. need control body and doing steps in rhythm (not one too long, another too short - how I doing. I guess its looks funny :)

4. not hurry, control body. I found that I try do steps fast, because its easier for me - I not lost balance. but right way - do it slow (at first - when you just start learn element. then when you feel confident its faster), try control body and feel how exactly need work you body. I try do fast and its a lot dirty lines, not finished moves, rush and bad quality work.

5. circles. Yes, its all about circles! Funny enough I often try do step how I can, but forgot about right line on the ice - about go on half circle direction and imagine line what cut it in the middle circle.
when you doing it and try follow this imagination line all became easier :)

Its top of the list basic things what I need keep in my head. Of course there much more....

Did I heard about this details before? I think yes... But funny how you fast forget basic things what actually need be your gold rules every time when you on the ice.

P.S.
So for me this training was really useful with ability again know and remember basic things.
(basic or old school really important I think. A lot sportsmen in old times did basic steps at competitions (we call it "school"). Without school steps impossible right way doing jumps or spins.

From history - figure skating start from trying paint on the ice with your skates different figures and sometimes this shapes looks complicated - almost impossible to do.
here example special figures by Panin Kolomenkin (Russian figure skater)