Fundamentals: My hips and shoulders need to be square with each other. Keep the arms down and loose. Lead with the hips forwards.
1) One foot glides - Picking up the foot and gliding balanced on one. Shift my entire weight to one foot before I take it off the ice. Balance is key. Be sure to bring the foot up, not back to maintain balance.
2) Forward Swizzles - Turn the feet out, bend, push and give it some power, bring the toes back in, feet together, rising as I do, forward, then again, feet out, bend, and push.
3) Snow plows. Push down with the ankle, and out with the other leg, the ankle of the leg is turned in, then goes out. Marion drew two hearts on the ice and I had to try to scrape them off.
4) Slaloms- Got almost no where with these, will need to practice. Weight over one knee, the leg bent, other leg straight. Straight leg is the push off leg, making this pattern on the ice.
Notes for myself: Don't LOOK DOWN AT THE ICE! When I look at the ice, my weight shifts forward and I will loose my balance. Focus on letting my muscles learn the moves. Marion might give up on me if I keep doing this.
My fears are, getting hurt, falling down and looking like an idiot. Pep talk: I will fall down, the accomplishment is worth the pain, and I already look like an idiot, but as I practice I'll get better. I must work through my fears with discipline and constancy if I am to become a good skater.
I felt more comfortable on the ice yesterday then I ever have before.Next time, pay for the extra ice time, it would be good to get the practice. Ask more questions about blade work, where my feet are and weight needs to be, and what edges do.
Continue with strengthening ankles and improving balance. Try to work out at least twice a day, before and after work.
Question I ask myself, what is my end goal with this? Do I want to just be competent on the ice, or do I want to learn how to dance, or do advanced moves?
