Moving right along
Axel update: I landed a clean one last Friday. And none since. :P Oh well. At least I got it on video!
I am very happy to report that my Junior moves progress has really picked up since fall ice started. I'm now skating 1.5 hours 4 days a week, instead of 1 or 2 hours a week. My coach is signing me up for the November test session, which is (I believe) Veteran's day weekend. They haven't set an exact date yet.
Once I learned the proper pattern for the power circles (not tight ones like Intermediate - very edgy), those were good. I had to work on getting the step from crossovers to glide on the backwards ones just right. Forward CW have definitely improved. I used to think how stupid, why are there simple crossovers on Junior moves? But it really does help to work on them.
Outside rockers are fine. Forwards were always pretty good, and I can now hold the backwards ones with no problem. Inside rockers are a little shaky. I have the most trouble with forwards, and I tend to put my foot down - not immediately after the turn, so it's not like I'm unsteady, but I think I'm just letting the check go.
Power pull-rockers have improved dramatically in the past two weeks. I can now get through an entire pattern without losing too much speed, and they're going from red dot to aaaalmost red dot. Got to make these a little more straight diagonal - they tend to curve towards the board at the end. On the outside turns, I tend pull the turn with my free leg out instead of letting it happen from the skating side, so I must remember knee bend and stay over my skating side. I remember thinking that I will never, ever be able to do these. Never say never!
Choctaws could be more edgy. Sometimes I feel like they're lettuce chopping - very shallow edges and not into my knees enough. These give me cramps in the right side like the quick rocker-choctaws on Novice. Thankfully they're the last move!
All in all, I'm feeling pretty confident, which is a sure sign I will fail at least once. :P
I am very happy to report that my Junior moves progress has really picked up since fall ice started. I'm now skating 1.5 hours 4 days a week, instead of 1 or 2 hours a week. My coach is signing me up for the November test session, which is (I believe) Veteran's day weekend. They haven't set an exact date yet.
Once I learned the proper pattern for the power circles (not tight ones like Intermediate - very edgy), those were good. I had to work on getting the step from crossovers to glide on the backwards ones just right. Forward CW have definitely improved. I used to think how stupid, why are there simple crossovers on Junior moves? But it really does help to work on them.
Outside rockers are fine. Forwards were always pretty good, and I can now hold the backwards ones with no problem. Inside rockers are a little shaky. I have the most trouble with forwards, and I tend to put my foot down - not immediately after the turn, so it's not like I'm unsteady, but I think I'm just letting the check go.
Power pull-rockers have improved dramatically in the past two weeks. I can now get through an entire pattern without losing too much speed, and they're going from red dot to aaaalmost red dot. Got to make these a little more straight diagonal - they tend to curve towards the board at the end. On the outside turns, I tend pull the turn with my free leg out instead of letting it happen from the skating side, so I must remember knee bend and stay over my skating side. I remember thinking that I will never, ever be able to do these. Never say never!
Choctaws could be more edgy. Sometimes I feel like they're lettuce chopping - very shallow edges and not into my knees enough. These give me cramps in the right side like the quick rocker-choctaws on Novice. Thankfully they're the last move!
All in all, I'm feeling pretty confident, which is a sure sign I will fail at least once. :P