NOTE: I am transferring my posts from the old Liveblog system. I will put the day I posted as the heading on subsequent entries. My first post is reproduced below.
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After my posting today in the IJAM Ice Skating thread, I thought I'd start a skating live blog about my progress. Me: I'm a mid-20's, 4'4" figure skater, who hasn't taken lessons in maybe 10-15 years. However, my local rink has public skating nearly every day and it's usually nearly empty, and I am intent on taking full advantage of it. I'm usually a horribly terrible athlete, but I love skating, and have slimmed down a lot this year by running so I'm a lot healthier and stronger and have a lot more endurance. Here are some back-posts from my IJAM thread (and yes, I was a little... overenthusiastic in the first post. Bare with me, I was excited): Sept 13: My local public ice rink had their first public skating today. Not only that, the sessions are free. I haven't had lessons in maybe 15 years, but I love skating, and I'm giddy as a schoolgirl. This topic may be, but does not have to, be combined with the topic on hot chocolate. I. LOVE. ICE. SKATING. Oct 8: Well, alright! I guess I'm not the only one here. That is interesting. I checked out some skating books to figure out some new stuff and brush up on technique, and they definitely do seem to help. As I said, I haven't taken actual lessons in maybe 15 years, so I could use it! I'm trying forwards-backwards one-foot turns (what it calls three-turns), and I was interested to realize that (as the book said) you really are more stable on an edge rather than a flat in that sort of situation. Nice! I agree ice skating is much funner than roller skating. Inline skating is nice, but I've never gotten the trick of, well, stopping quickly when you're going fast. I can't seem to do any kind of hockey stop on rollerblades (maybe I need to practice more?), the brake pad is only on one foot, and it's hard to use anyway. Plus pavement is much rougher than ice. Oh, and Longfellow, trust me I sympathize. From the, ah, other direction. There are some things you just can't get in kids sizes. Oct 9: I took figure skating lessons for years when I was a kid and I hadn't learned this, and it still isn't the easiest thing to do (I still can't quite seem to get some of the variations - backwards to forwards, particularly). It does feel pretty cool to get it right, though. Oct 18: ...and not quite so cool when you don't make it and fall down like an idiot. I think I'm going to have a pretty awful bruise or two after today's session. Ouch. But I still stand by the first post, and I am getting better. Next up: Maybe trying a spin? I've already looked up how to do a certain kind, theoretically. Although I predict more bruises while attempting this. A lot more bruises. Today: Back from the rink. I was able to do the spin I was trying for... ah, sort of. Rather awkwardly and not for very many rotations. And the speed was Not Impressive. But at least I didn't go splat on the ice. More than once. And I am getting better. Practice, right? There was also this apparent preteen who came in later in the session and completely showed me up. She was GOOD. Heh. ... Ah, Maybe I should make this a liveblog? —- And so I did. Will continue posting my progress. And whether I've broken a bone, cut myself with my skate, or become sore and black and blue from bruises. Do stay tuned, hilarity will surely ensue.
Comments
. That means having both skates on the ice but angled slightly inwards, and pumping your feet in and out - see the link. It will help you get used to your edges.
5. STOPPING! Yeah, you will need to do this. I suggest, for a beginner, a snowplow stop: stopping by having your toes together and your ankles out, like a big v. This is probably the easiest stop to do. Also possible if you need to: stopping by banging into or catching the outer edge of the rink. Not elegant, but it can work. If you're having a hard time staying up, stick to the side of the rink and hold the edge.
6. We all fall, it's a part of the learning process. Remember, ice is much more forgiving than concrete, since you slide. But do prepare for a fall, especially your first time. Wear snow pants or some sort of heavy pant, or even knee pads and/or elbow pads.
7. Your skates should fit very snugly, especially around the ankle. They should also be tied fairly tight (again, especially around the ankle), but of course not so much that you cut off any circulation.
8. Have fun! And do tell me how it went and whether these tips were helpful.
