Master a Skill. Then STOP!!

I entered a spin first minute of the lesson

Anyway, immediately afterwards as I exited the spin, very nicely thankyouverymuch, I got dizzy, so, meh,  'issues'.

And my coach did this!

 I've learned this. The first time you do a skill, and you know it isn't luck that you did it successfully, you know that you did it successfully because you.actually.have.the.skill....Stop doing it for that lesson. Let the skill sink in until the next day. The reason? You want all the neurons in your brain to save that memory as something as something you can replicate--and if for some reason it doesn't work? You'll have the memory to replicate rather than just flailing around.

I can now officially pass Pre-Free.

For Freeskate 1 all I've got left is that pecky back 3...oh, and beginner back spins.

And that packier inside 3, that bitch.

Perfection in the spin...both ways!!

Have I ever told you my theory of 'sometimes you just need to stop skating for a couple of weeks, and you'll improve"? I can't explain it. My theory is that after a period of struggle your brain needs a week or so to grow othe connections between brain cells and you'll get better. Note that I said 'after a period of struggle'. You have to have that struggle--then the pause--and then it improves.

So, what kept me out of group was a. a tornado, b. a car wreck that blocked the road c. work trip and d. I got sick after I made it to the rink. I don't give up my skating for just any reason.

Group coach was glad to see me. I'd had a sharpening, so I was testing the ice with a couple of tentative spins.Coach stood off to the side, watching as I spun to the right. "Oh that's right you spin to the right and jump  to the left."

"I don't jump at all, I spin both ways. It's my only trick" I spun to the left, without thinking much about it.

"That was really nice." Coach looked down at the ice. "Both are very nicely centered, you're perfectly balanced on your rocker in both directions, your posture and exits are  great."

I blinked.

I had entered the spins with head up, eyes forward, stomach tight, and picked up my foot next to my leg without actually being conscious of the little 'bits' I had to put together, and had been working on for so long. Two easy rotations both direction. My brain had been working while I was 'off ice'.

That was great to hear. I felt a rush.

Praise me! Praise me! I am a GODDESS !!

"You know,"Group Coach said, "If you opened your right shoulder some more, you might be able to get a third rotation on the right spin."

Man, that third spin. I need a vacation to get that thing....maybe a trip to Europe or something....

 

Easter Post...on Ice

Jesus Christ Superstar at 2013 Skate America

 

Convincing Skaters one ROH at a Time

When somebody tries my 15/32" ROH and

likes it!

Me and My "Spin Enthusiasm"

First Spin of the Day--2 rotations--the 'wrong' way

Coach: "Two well centered rotations in your weak direction..let's take a picture...You could get 3 rotations if you entered it with more enthusiasm...


Me: "What if I'm not willing to fake enthusiasm?"


Funny story...coach wants me to do FI3, it's torture... however, I can do solid beginner one foot  Inside  Rockers... (beginner meaning I have to rest my flat hand over my coach's arm--not gripping it--just a light resting).

It's inside and outside rockers, and inside and outside counters all over the center. "I haven't seen you look this enthusiastic in months," my coach says...I forebear to mention my spins....

Anyway, I haven't posted because of work, a lot of travel, and some family issues. I'm 67, and sadly your time is less and less your own as you get older, and your knees and joints take on a life of their own no matter what you want them to do. Still the blog isn't dead. It will pick up during the summer.