Rink Guards Get the Worst Jobs--Happy Easter

1. This is proof that no matter what words you type into google, something will pop up.
2. Inside that suit is a guy planning on how to get revenge on the rink manager.

Figure Skating Time Machine

Today, Madam Mim wanted me to work on three-turns. Apparently, my return to skating stroking, crossovers, stops, swingrolls, and edges/rolls are adequate. Even my back stroking was improved and that's  my bête noire.

I'd been practicing some single three turns and felt okay about them, so when she asked for a three turn, I did threes around the circle--successfully.

Of course it makes me dizzy

But in doing my 3 turns, I found I went back to habits from 4 years ago, I stuck my free leg out to the side. You know, a 'paddle turn', for when you're afraid to fall. It took a good ten minutes to fix that.

So, relearning skills is like a time machine. I seem to go back a couple of years in technique, then speed through all the changes I need to bring the skill back in a few minutes.

A week ago I was the guy on the left, now I'm the guy on the right.

Still, lots of stuff to work on. Haven't even started inside 3s. I'd only had them for a short while, might have to relearn tm completely.

"We'll have to work on your power next." Madam Mim said.

No,  Power is deep knee bend and strong push!

Good Friday Practice

I had a choice today. Do the Stations of the Cross or Tre Ore or go skating this afternoon.

I went skating.

"Go ahead, skate at that light
freestyle session on Good Friday."

But cut me some slack, I just got back from an hour and a half of evening service, so I'm good.

And skating was good today too. It was my 4th hour on ice since I started skating again since the injury, and skills are rapidly getting back to where they were in October.  It also gave me the opportunity to pull out all the stops in my "Learn to Skate" repertoire.

First, I armored up: Pad in the Hat, Wrist Guards, Knee Pads. And I warmed up. Then I did some alternating crossovers. And when I got to the part where I was relearning backward stroking (again!), I applied The Five Minute Rule. I paid particular attention to pre-positioning the blade on my stroking and crossovers, and my skating smoothed out.  I don't just write this stuff, I live it.

So, much, much better than last week. I hope Madam Mim appreciates my progress.  Except, if she's like every other coach I've had, it will be,

Madam Mim says, "Stop you're doin' it wrong!"

Yep, story of my life.