Live Blogs Getting Your Edge Back: A Skating Liveblog

TheGirlWithPointyEars2010-12-17 12:21:47

I felt good on the ice today: solid footing and balance, quick, both backwards and forwards. No problems doing turns. Good control backwards, which is just as important. Focusing on backwards skating has definitely helped. I didn't feel shown-up even though there were some really good skaters on the ice (in fact, at the end as I was getting off the ice, a guy really complimented me on my skating and said I was 'skating like a professional' :3 )

Still having some problems with the spin. I can sort of do it but again I just don't get many rotations or much speed. I am doing it from a standstill, but I'm not sure I'm willing to try it coming from speed... I'm imagining a big painful splat on the ice and I don't like the picture. I'm not even sure whether not coming from speed is even my problem or not in any case. Also still having some problems with the split-eagles. Not. Limber. Toes don't want to turn out. Seriously. Will just have to keep working at it.

No bad falls, no bruises, no cuts or torn pants. And even though there were quite a few good skaters with plenty of speed and backwards skating and some tricks, we all managed to avoid each other and see where we were all going enough. Good thing. :p

Comments

DrRockopolis Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 17th 2010 at 4:33:56 PM

Sounds good.

How do you skate backwards?

TheGirlWithPointyEars Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 17th 2010 at 5:55:38 PM

It's the reverse of skating forwards - Instead of alternating skate strokes pushing backwards which pushes you forwards, you stroke your skates forwards which pushes you back. As the book I've been reading pointed out, though, your weight distribution is slightly different than when going forwards - just forwards of your arches, on the ball of your foot, instead of nearly on your heels.

And of course, you need to make sure you look over your shoulder to see where you are going :p

DrRockopolis Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 17th 2010 at 6:36:51 PM

Actually, I should have probably asked how you skate forwards, first. XP

• I seem to remember from rollerblading...pushing out almost sideways, actually, toes pointing together.
  • Though thinking about it, I can't really remember to well how I rollerbladed; didn't think too much about it back then.

TheGirlWithPointyEars Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 17th 2010 at 7:08:11 PM

Pushing diagonally, yes, but I would have said toes out when going forwards. Pushing out, diagonally back, alternating feet. Then for going backwards it would be pushing out diagonally forwards, alternating feet, toes pointing together.

This is stuff so ingrained in my head I never think about it either; you're making it interesting for me, having to put it words!

DrRockopolis Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 17th 2010 at 7:49:07 PM

Cool, I was worried it'd be a little too simple to have to explain.

• Oddly enough, I think I can understand turning, since it's leaning, like a bike, right?

So, standing flat, your toes are pointing away from center, and you push your lead foot away from you, along the line it's already pointing, and then continue with your other foot?

TheGirlWithPointyEars Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 18th 2010 at 8:17:47 AM

So, standing flat, your toes are pointing away from center, and you push your lead foot away from you, along the line it's already pointing, and then continue with your other foot?

Essentially, yes. Not quite standing flat, you would be just slightly on your inside edges (feet leaning in to center) to get a grip on the ice.

Oddly enough, I think I can understand turning, since it's leaning, like a bike, right?

That, and lengthening your strokes on the foot at the outside of the turn. If you're on one foot, it's very much like leaning a bike into a turn. :) For quicker, tighter turns, you cross the foot on the outside of the turn over your skating foot, press it to the outside and back of the turning radius, and bring your inside foot back up and onto the ice and press back and to the outside of the turn with it. Repeat, and you're going around in a circle at speed - that's crossovers . You still do lean into the turn with crossovers, though!

DrRockopolis Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 18th 2010 at 9:29:06 AM

So, lifting up your foot let's you get a sharper turning angle than if you just tried to twist while on the ice?

• Okay, so, turning right, you...
  • Raise your left foot
  • Move it in front of and past your right foot
  • Place it down so the toe is pointing right
  • Then pick up your right foot and move it to your right, continuing into the turn?
• I can sorta see how that works, and it sounds cool, but man, just thinking about it makes me want to fall down.

DrRockopolis Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 18th 2010 at 11:02:00 AM

Whoops, double.

TheGirlWithPointyEars Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 18th 2010 at 11:47:14 AM

^ Exactly, you've got it! I think we probably have some centrifugal force helping us stay up when we do it at high speed. I'm sure you're well acquainted with centrifugal force as a biker :p It's really not all that bad, one of the most basic skating moves, but it could take a little practice.

DrRockopolis Since: Dec, 1969

Dec 18th 2010 at 6:46:59 PM

I think part of it is, when thinking about it, I expect to trip, like I would when walking, which wouldn't be the case when skating.