Beginnings

Two more days of work and then I can skate all day, every day , if I want. At least until I run out of freestyle stickers. This is good timing, because I am testing my bronze moves-in-the-field on August 17. New Coach has made some huge improvements, but there are still issues getting on-pattern. It appears I don't have enough power when I start.

My Power 3-turns are a good example. You need to know that I have been doing P3’s since basic skills. I competed in Basic Skills Tests, in front of judges, doing Power 3’s. I should be able to do these in my sleep. Instead, I take my intro steps, start my first 3-turn, and my brain says, “You’re going awfully fast. What if you fall?” Of course, once that thought crosses my mind, I freeze. I have to force the 3-turn, and the whole pattern is thrown off.



New Coach would probably tell me that I don't square my hips, or I don't step with my blade pointing down the ice. My Personal Trainer would say it's because I don't have full range of motion in my hips because I don't stretch. But I know there more to it than muscular-skeletal mechanics.

Skating has always had a spiritual aspect for me. Not getting a good start is a common theme in many areas of my life. I am trying to start an online jewelry business. My family is giving me more support than I thought possible, but I am absolutely panicked.

I rushed opening the Etsy store and wonder if I will be able to overcome some of the issues. Is the photography good enough? Could my descriptions be written better? Have I priced my jewelry correctly? Should I have done more planning? What if I spend hundreds of dollars on supplies and don’t sell anything?



The Power 3-Turns, as well as my other moves, should fix themselves fairly easily with practice. I know what I need to do – envision myself doing a nice, big 3-turn before my brain tells me to be afraid. Then I need to push to get the power I need to complete the pattern.

If I take a deep breath and apply the same techniques, I can see the Etsy store succeeding, too. Take a deep breath, envision success, and then give it a good push. Tell people what I’m doing. Create a Kickstarter project to get the funds I need to start the first line of necklaces. Here’s a sample.

To see all the designs I am currently offering for sale, go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/HollyDianeDesigns?ref=pr_shop_more

There always seems to be an excuse to keep me from skating.  They are always good reasons.  For instance . . .
We lost our house in the foreclosure crisis.
I fractured my skull trying to do a scratch spin.

Bottom line:  it's my hobby.  I love it, but other things come first.  Namely, family and work.

But, this is 2013.  Both of us are employed.  No one is ill.  So, why isn't this the year I get back on track?  Not only do I have money for skating, I have found a rink where I can skate 3 nights a week.  I have money for a personal trainer.  There might even be enough money for a ballet class.

So, today, when I knew my family would be watching the SuperBowl, I thought, "I don't really want to go to my skating lesson."  Translation:  I didn't skate once during the week because I want to change rinks where I do freestyles.  But, I have heard there are high-level skaters training here and I'm too scared to go because I don't want to get clobbered because I got in the way of someone doing a triple-jump.

So, I called my coach to see if MAYBE he could help with the guilt.  "Do you have a SuperBowl party you want to go to?"  (Yeah, right, I assume my figure skating coach is like the majority of other men?)

 "Holly,  you don't have to come if you don't want to."

"No, I just want to make sure that you are going to be there and that you do want to have a lesson today."

"You don't have to come.  It's OK."

"Look, you're my coach.  I need someone to help me with accountability today."

"OK, you have to come."

First, we worked on power-stroking.  It has been so long since I've done this that it's all out-of-whack.  A few simple adjustments - as simple as putting pressure on my big toe - and wow, they promise to look good soon.

After the moves, we had 5 minutes left.  "What do you want to do, Holly?"

"Honestly, I want to work on pivots and spins."  Yes, the evil spins that led to the fractured skull.  I've got to get past this or I will never go any further with my skating.

After three years of watching me try to power my way through spins, Coach lost his patience and told me to SLOW down.  Don't try to spin, just try to do the drills.

And then it happened.  Since I wasn't trying to spin, I finally felt what a spin is supposed to feel like.  If I open my hip - yes, just shifting slightly so that my left hip bone leads - I will spin no matter what.  I don't have to throw my right leg around to start spinning any more.

Well, at least not this afternoon.  We'll see what happens on Wednesday when I skate.

It was a great lesson today.

Bosu balls

My first trip to the gym was a little bit scary.  I went after work on Tuesday, when everyone else was there after work.

Of course, I didn't know any of these people who were so diligently doing their cardio.  But, I soon realized it didn't matter because they all had their ear buds in anyway.

But then the dilemma hit . . . what am I going to do?  I didn't have any plan and I had no idea how to use any of the machines.  So, I went back to the basic routine Annie and I used to do.  (It's not nearly as much fun without you there, Annie.)

In the corner of the women's only room, a blue glow caught my eye.   It's blue skin glowed and it called to me:  "Come use me . . . "

It was a Bosu Ball!  You know, one of those half-dome fitness ball things?

"I'll transform your skating by making you engage your core muscles.  I'll help you increase your balance and make your spirals beautiful." (See the pretty picture to the left.)

Eventually, I got over my shyness and asked one of the trainers how to use it.  My first couple of steps were tentative, but before long, I was balancing on one foot.  Then my spirals.

Next, it occurred to me that I could practice my back spin position.  And, if I'm in a back spin position, the only thing I need to change to practice a loop jump is to bend my knee and jump . . . BOING!

It's the most amazing piece of equipment!  Next I was practicing waltz jumps and toe loops.  Then I realized I wasn't very stable, so I'd better practice my landing position. Before I knew it, I'd doubled my workout by PLAYING on the Bosu ball. 

Does anyone else use these off-ice?  How do you use it in your workouts?

Personal training.

Well, I finally broke down and joined a gym.  I've been looking for a personal trainer in Kingwood and decided that $50/half hour was outrageous.  I thought that a gym membership might bring that fee down a little, and as it turns out, Golds Gym offers a membership option that includes 6 personal training sessions. 

So, does anyone out there use a personal trainer?  If you do, how does your trainer help you with skating?  Did they look at you like you had a potted plant growing out of your head when you told them you skate, or were they excited?  How much education did you have to do? 

Workout for arms

You might remember that one of my top 10 goals-if-I-was-guaranteed-to-succeed was to get in good enough shape that I could find a partner for pair skating.

One thing I need to do in order to get there is to develop upper body strength.  It's been a touch reality check that I can't do pushups or pullups.  Part of that reality check has been to only tackle one problem at a time.  Pushups are the easier problem to tackle since all you need is the ground below you.  Any workout I've done that calls for pushups from ANY position - knees, plank, or pike - has been modified.  I admit it.  I have to do "girl pushups", from my knees.

This month, Fitness Magazine had a great arms workout.   Even if you aren't looking to learn overhead lifts, the workout will help firm your arms up so the flab under your arms stops waving  when you do.  

Baked Eggs with herbs

If you like eggs, Fitness Magazines Baked Eggs with Herbs is a great breakfast.  It's simple - crack two eggs into a ramekin, add 2 Tbsp of milk and some fresh herbs from the garden.  If you are like me, and really have trouble waking up, get it ready the night before and pop it in the oven while you drink your coffee. 

Trust me, it's worth a few extra minutes in the morning. 

Why you should eat it

• if you are skating in the morning, you need the protein and fibre you get from this breakfast.  It will give you energy and keep you from feeling run down. 
• Eggs are high in vitamin D, which will help you absorb calcium, which will keep your bones strong for skating.  

Back in action

It's been a long time, but I'm looking to start skating again.  Carl finished his student teaching and passed his certification exam.  (Anyone know an elementary principal looking for a math and science teacher?)  He's able to tutor more hours at Sylvan now, so there will be some money available for skating.  Yay!

In my hiatus, I have tried to work out off the ice at least 3x a week.  Here's what I've been up to in a nutshell:

• I discovered I have a Vitamin D definiciency.  Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium, so a deficiency can lead to weaker bones.  Guess what?  Just as soon as I discovered this, I broke my toe and had to stop skating for about 6 weeks.  
• Because of my vitamin D deficiency, I moved my workouts outdoors whenever possible to get sunlight.  
• I was walking/jogging with Prospero, the greyhound, aka pesonal trainer,  Even at 12 years old and with arthritis in his paws, he was pushing me to go faster.  
• I got a subscription to Fitness magazine.  The real surprise in this was the number of great recipes I've found.  I'll post links and review them in future posts.  
• After the broken toe, I modified my workouts to make sure it had a chance to heal
• I got a subscription to Sportskool Fitness. 
• I replaced walking the dog with a used bicycle.   I love being able to ride around the Kingwood greenbelts.  
• Hopscotch came back into the workout as a way to practice jumps off-ice and gage home my toe was healing.
• Carl made a commitment to exercise with me.  He wants to train for a 5K run, and until my toe heals completely, he wants to bike with me.   

At this point, I have one more week off the ice because of personal commitments.  Hopefully, around the 18th, I'll be back at Memorial City practicing.