My skating is going well!

[kwanluv]

Well...update time, it's been 5 weeks and I'm really enjoying my lessons and the improvement I've made. 5 weeks ago was the first time I'd been on skates in over 18 years. :eek

Anywhoo....So far, I've learned: all my edges, forward cross-overs in both directions, change edge forward one foot glides, a toepic plant spin, and backwards swizzles and one foot gliding backwards. Throughout all of this I've only fallen once (knock on wood:lol )and hurt my wrist.

This is the best and most amazing thing I've done for myself in a very long time! Very fulfilling indeed. :D

PS: I should be getting my own skates very soon. :)

[Hadas]

sounds great, KwanluvAW! For only 5 weeks, that's really great! Once you get your own skates, and bream 'em in, you'll feel much better then the rentals, believe me!

[Anita18]

Great to hear that, Kwanluv! LOL I wish I had your fall record. In the beginning, I'd fall like 5 times a session! :lol Now that my feet/skates are properly under me, it only takes a pretty intimidating hockey player to take me down! Or a false step in the crossovers, LOL...:lol

[kwanluv]

Thanks :)

Even though it was one fall...it was a hard one...lol

My wrist is still sore :(

[aehodman]

Wow, you are really doing EXCELLENTLY. It took me forever to get those rassin frassin inside back edges! You're gonna be doing doubles before I even get back on the ice in a few weeks at this rate! :)

Thanks for the compliment on Random Chat, btw. That was very nice of you, you're makin' me blush! :)

Keep us posted on how things are going -- I have my post pregnancy checkup on the 12th of next month (since I had a c section I have to wait longer to heal) and I am hoping the doc gives me the okay to skate that week...I don't know if I can wait much longer as I am having massive skating withdrawal!

[Valerie]

How is your wrist Kwanluv?

[GMAN]

Good for you Kwanluv at work!!!!

I hope your wrist gets better Kwanluv!!!

[QUAD LUTZ]

Kwan LUV. Good for you. All I can advise to you are these.
(A) Continue to skate and try to improve your edgings . I think that's the first key.
(B) Do Floor jumpings. As you develop your edging try doing jumps on soft surfaces (like garden, gymnastics' floor, carpeted floors)
(C) Do sit ups and crunches. These will make your stamina better. A good abdominal muscles help skaters to pull out triple jumps
(D) Find a coach. Coach can teach you techniques. If you want I can teach you techniques... just email me k?

I started skating at age 8. I stopped. After seeing MK's national performance, my passion for skating was relived. i took skating practices and do floor jumping at the same time. It took me two and a half years to land double axels (21). I can't make triples no matter how I try. I did 300 sit ups and crunches everday.. I ate healthy foods and lost 15 pounds (just like angela ) I skated great... landed 5 triples for the next 6 months... Now still 21... I am hoping to strengthen my jumps and my presentation for years and I plan to compete competitively at age 25. I am now working with my tano double axels at the moment. This helps me to give my double axel height. A good preparation for my triple axel attempts. I maybe a hardworker that's why I am reaping the fruits of my hardwork. Too bad I am nursing a ankle injury which bugged me for months now. I occasionally do runs but only doubles. I try to perfecct the my doubles entries and exits coz I can't practice my triples as much as I wanted because of my nursed injury. I hope this will cheer you up. todd and maria are guning for olympic medals at age 30's. It means you have 12 years to polish your skating to compete for the olympics...boy that's a lot of time. My email is toly_estrella@yahoo.com

[axelkid]

Wow Kwanluv!

Go get 'em! That's so wonderful that you had a good time skating! Can't wait to hear for more updates! Adult skaters are great. Most of them just love to skate and aren't in it for any reason other than that. I've made so many friends that way.

Plus, skating is good exercise and gives you a great butt! :)

You'll be doing those quintuple axels in no time.

Quad lutz, have you competed at the novice/junior/senior level?

[kwanluv]

Thanks everyone! :D

AEHodman- I hope you can skate soon, but take it easy, OK.

G Man- :lol

Valerie- My wrist is doing much better, thanks. :)

axelkid- :lol I know ;)

QUAD LUTZ-
:eek 300 sit-ups and crunches a day, talk about abs of steele :lol good for you...ahhh to be 21 again! Your skating seems quite impressive, and your attitude is right on. :D I'm 32 now, my plan is to be ready to compete in 3 years, at age 35. I go to the rink Monday-Friday from 7 to 8am because I generally have the rink to myself...lol...and I get a lot done! My lessons are every Wednesday night from 5:30-7. I avoid the rink on the weekends because there are TOO MANY people to get a good practice in..lol.

I have changed my diet (I'm not doing sit-ups though..lol) and I'm doing Yoga every week to improve my strength, stamina, posture, and body line control...and it has REALLY helped! Example: This morning, I was going around counter clockwise very fast practicing control and speed for my forward cross-overs, and as I came around the turn I lifted my left leg behind me, stretched out my arms to either side, really focussed and stretched out the leg, and glided with good speed the entire length of the rink that way, as I approached the next curve, I lowered the free leg without bending it, and brought it in front of my body, right arm in fron, left arm behind me, and continued around the curve that way.

I was so excited!!! It felt really good and because of the Yoga, I could acheive the level of focus, contol, and stretch I attained. I couldn't believe it, my free leg was actually parallel with the ice, my chest was out, head up, and arms at my side. What a great feeling it was :D .

Robin, who teaches my lessons, was there this morning with a student and saw what I did. She came over to me and said: "Oh my Gosh! That was great Greg!!! I can't believe you're doing that on rental skates!" I told her that I'm getting my own pair very soon, she then said "Good! Look at what you've achieved in less than 2 months of skating, you're gonna be a great figure skater Greg."

That made me feel really good. :b

[QUAD LUTZ]

Good for you. Nice to hear that your doing good in just two months.

[candygirl559]

Good for everyone's accomplishments on here. I can finally do 3 turns on one foot, my waltz jump is getting better, and my spinning ability is improving. I'm having to do the opposite of what most skaters are doing. I have to gain weight, because I'm 5'8" tall and I weigh around 110lbs.,which is too thin for me. A lot of people at school kept telling me that I was too thin and I even think I'm too thin. Now, I'm trying to gain between 5 to 10lbs., so I can have some muscles in order to skate. I don't compete in figure skating, but I might try ice dancing. One of the counselors at my school said that I have the perfect figure for ice dancing. I also wouldn't have to worry about getting dizzy or having to do triple jumps, which is way beyond my level.

[aehodman]

So, when are you going to do your first program and competition? ;) I volunteered at an ISI event late this summer (when I started my skating hiatus) and there was a woman there who did several programs at the Alpha level, which it sounds like you are already above. You'll be flying once you get those figure skates! What kind have you been thinking about? I started out with Riedells but I love my SP-Teris. The staff there is great and really helpful -- they rebuilt the bottom of my skates in record time. :) Anyway, I think you should seriously consider starting in ISI competitions. I started once I hit FS1 and it really helped prepare me well for USFSA.

Congrats to all MKF skaters, it sounds like you guys are doing GREAT! I have less than two weeks until I can start skating again and I CAN'T WAIT!!! (And don't worry, I'll start slow). :)

[Skwilla]

Hey that's great! I'm glad everything is going well for yoU! (Glad you wrist is getting better). Best of luck to all skaters!!!!

[JohnnyLiu1]

Hi Michelle Kwan,
I know Ice Skating is not easy. I know it takes a lot of hard work and one needs to be self motivated and disciplined to get where you are today. I was praying for you. (You did great! I was cheering for you all the way).

I just started skating on 10-22-00 and it has been 6 months since then. I joined ISSI membership, I have passed 6 tests and I am currently in free style 2. I'm scheduled to take FS2 and FS3 test in May, 2001. My goal right now is to get all 10 Free Style tests completed within one or 1 1/2 years. Everybody thinks my goal is crazy and I am not being reasonable. But I believe I can do it.

Here are some facts that makes me believe I can do it:
1. Jesus is with me.
2. I was able to lose 23 lbs in 6 months
3. I went from 34 inches pants waist to 29 inches pants
4. I was able to finish Pre-Alpha to FS 1 in 5 months.
5. I'm getting stronger and I feel younger.
6. I can do 380 push ups in 20 minutes. 3 sets of 100 and last set decline 80 rep. No stop per each set.

The downside are:
1. I'm not young. I am 35 years old now. I started the sport late.
2. I have family and job
3. I only have time to skate 9 hours per weeks.

Growing up with Chinese background, I believe in working hard to making things happen.

From yours Truly,
Johnny Liu.
Jliu_a@yahoo.com

[Stardusty8606]

Alright Kwanluv! You must be so proud! Hope your wrist gets better! As for JohnnyLiu1 ? Can somebody redirect his post ?

[JohnnyLiu1]

Hi, I am reach my goal so far.
I had finish ISI Free Style 4 and went to Austin, Texas and got a gold and silver.

I had finish FS 3 and FS 4 in May 2001.
I hear Axel is going to be hard and it will take about 6 months to master it. I'm going to try to see if I can get it in one month.

Later for more good news.
From JL

[Anita18]

Johnny, that's great! Keep up the good work! LOL I'm less ambitious than you, but I believe that if I work and get over the fear of doing something new, I can learn anything I want! :rollin Of course, that's just being positive since my jumps are improving mostly (waltz jump is feeling weird; maybe it's because I'm trying different things on it..) but my spins aren't going anywhere fast..>:

[Stardusty8606]

Good luck on making your 1 month goal on the axel Johnny!