Today was a day for fundamentals and refining technique. I started reading the book like I said I would, and I decided not to skip (too much) of the beginning chapters. Okay, so I just quickly skimmed the 'sculling and taking your first strokes' section... but I did start to pay attention when she started talking about proper backwards skating (not sculling). She mentioned that even advanced skaters might not be used to it, and damn if she isn't right. I do usually scull when going backwards, and placing my weight forwards of where it would be if I were skating forwards ( forwards on the skate, ie, approximately the ball of the foot) was exactly what I needed. It's a little like ballet, I suppose - which I never took. I did do some jazz dancing for school plays, though, but the positions, well, weren't as rigorous.
I've also been practicing turning my toes outwards and getting at least some positive results in terms of skating in a circle in a toes-turned-out manner. A relatively small circle, to be sure, but at least the diameter is probably measured in feet rather than inches. I was... really not limber in that particular sense, and never have been, but I guess it's just like having to do stretches. I just have to continue to work at it.
I did do three-turns, a few twizzles, zig-zagging backwards and a lot of general backwards skating. Did some bunny-hops (a baby jump in a straight line, essentially, that pretty much anybody could do). Oh, and I fell down a couple of times, that might have looked bad but didn't hurt. Or, ah, rip my pants and give me a cut on my leg. :p That's about it.
There were the usual group of toddlers getting a lesson and a few other people, but it wasn't too crowded.
Comments
- I need to start reading this blog again from the start, I think I'm falling behind.
