Some interesting things today. Spent... a little more than half an hour on the ice.
One, there were a couple of adults using the public rink time to teach basic skating to a gaggle of toddlers (whose mommies were there watching on the side of the rink). Setting up stuff like cones on the ice. Now, this didn't particularly bother me and they stayed out of my way, however - public skating time is really not meant for group lessons. Especially to toddlers. Why? Because, had there been skaters there other than myself, you don't have the room for a group lesson, especially for a group that will probably skate wherever and however they feel like it and have to be watched very closely.
Two, and slightly more relevant. The ice was really smooth. This is good. I'm guessing that this has something to do with the fact that it felt unusually bumpy last time I skated there and they refinished it nicely instead of the Zamboni making a cursory pass. Yes, there is a big difference. I also felt a lot more energetic, in good form, and like I'm making some progress. For example, on the backward-to-forward three turns, which I've been struggling with.
Now, this could have a few reasons behind it. The aforementioned smooth ice makes holding a nice edge for longer, as well as gliding, a bit easier. Two, I'm rested. Three, I had a piece of pizza and a mini candy bar for lunch (a Crunch bar, if you're interested), and maybe the resulting high sugar/carbs and protein gave me an energy boost. Four, maybe, just maybe, the practice is paying off? Well, I did consciously figure out the real advantage of beginning some of these stunts with a very strong push-off so you don't lose momentum. Five, I just might have felt like showing off for the little kids and didn't feel intimidated. Instead of either being bored because there was no one there or feeling shown up by the couple of really good skaters that regularly come that are better than I am.
In any case, no matter the reason, once you do something in good form, it's easier to keep doing it in good form. And I reminded myself about the stunts (one foot turns, twizzles (better but still not quite there entirely), spins (well... better than I have been doing)) I pulled today that I wouldn't have had the slightest idea how to do, especially if I wanted to do it at will, before I started skating again this year. So, I feel really good today. Which is a whole lot better than I felt last time.
...I'm also wondering if anybody's reading this or cares, but, well, that's a different subject.
