- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
I didn't see this thread anywhere - hope I didn't duplicate it!
WOO HOO! I'm "officially" back on the ice!
My coach said she couldn't stand it any more, after 11 weeks, she just "had" to see me. So she came to our adult public skate yesterday and we had a good lesson. It was very exciting! For the first 10 minutes we couldn't stop hugging each other. We really missed our time together.
My coach is so incredible and smart. Instead of doing anything like we normally do, she started with having me do some basics and she assessed my strength (read: weakness) and ability. Then we started right from the beginning, like I was a pre-alpha skater. She modified all of the exercises to be two-footed at first until I built up some strength and sureness in my right leg. We did the coolest things. Probably those of you who teach new skaters know all about these. But I don't remember having learned this way and I'm very pleased to learn things right from the beginning. Don't forget, where I took lessons it was all about "recreational" skating and I don't think we necessarily focused a lot on the basics. So this is great.
We did a crossover exercise (forward and back) that I don't think I could do even if I were 100% recovered. We did swizzle exercises (forward and back), inside edges, and even just walking sideways down the ice by stepping sideways on the flat and crossing behind. Some of the things I couldn't do right away, but then I could. And others I am still struggling with. She had to hold my hand on a couple of them so I wouldn't sink down (whooooooooossssssshhhhhhhhh) on my bad leg.
I'm very energized. And she designed everything for me to practice through the week and continue to improve. She said no jumps and spins for me for some time until I have gotten my strength (and my back) back.
We made some important discoveries. For 10 weeks I've been compensating for the nerve pain by shifting all of my weight over to the left side. I now have to work my way back to being able to shift my weight where I want it. My right hamstring is amazingly tight. She gave me some on-ice exercises to help gently stretch it out. My big toe still has weakness and doesn't hold me up properly. My ankle is a bit wobbly. And when my brain tells my foot to point the toe, it just doesn't work. It's like it isn't connected! I have to concentrate on pushing down on my arch instead, in order to get the same result. How bizarre is that!?
We agreed that I'm probably around 30-40% on the ice. I told her I felt like I was 92% off the ice. So it's coming along, but slowly.
I'm so glad we did this. My coach is amazing. I was worried that she would be pushing me too hard, but she was the one who would make me take a break and "shake it out." I had a marvelous lesson and worked up a literal sweat from all the effort. Overall, I skated for about an hour and 15 minutes, and I came home and iced my back immediately.
And here is my positive thought for the week: One of my biggest criticisms of my own skating is that I feel that I look unpolished. I was certain it's because I needed work on some of the basics. But who wants to do that when there are axels to land and 2toes and 2sals to attempt? So maybe this injury is a bit of a blessing in a (painful) disguise?! Because now I am "forced" to relearn the basics and I'm certain it is going to help me with everything overall. So for that I am grateful.
Sorry so long; thanks for listening!
WOO HOO! I'm "officially" back on the ice!
My coach said she couldn't stand it any more, after 11 weeks, she just "had" to see me. So she came to our adult public skate yesterday and we had a good lesson. It was very exciting! For the first 10 minutes we couldn't stop hugging each other. We really missed our time together.
My coach is so incredible and smart. Instead of doing anything like we normally do, she started with having me do some basics and she assessed my strength (read: weakness) and ability. Then we started right from the beginning, like I was a pre-alpha skater. She modified all of the exercises to be two-footed at first until I built up some strength and sureness in my right leg. We did the coolest things. Probably those of you who teach new skaters know all about these. But I don't remember having learned this way and I'm very pleased to learn things right from the beginning. Don't forget, where I took lessons it was all about "recreational" skating and I don't think we necessarily focused a lot on the basics. So this is great.
We did a crossover exercise (forward and back) that I don't think I could do even if I were 100% recovered. We did swizzle exercises (forward and back), inside edges, and even just walking sideways down the ice by stepping sideways on the flat and crossing behind. Some of the things I couldn't do right away, but then I could. And others I am still struggling with. She had to hold my hand on a couple of them so I wouldn't sink down (whooooooooossssssshhhhhhhhh) on my bad leg.
I'm very energized. And she designed everything for me to practice through the week and continue to improve. She said no jumps and spins for me for some time until I have gotten my strength (and my back) back.
We made some important discoveries. For 10 weeks I've been compensating for the nerve pain by shifting all of my weight over to the left side. I now have to work my way back to being able to shift my weight where I want it. My right hamstring is amazingly tight. She gave me some on-ice exercises to help gently stretch it out. My big toe still has weakness and doesn't hold me up properly. My ankle is a bit wobbly. And when my brain tells my foot to point the toe, it just doesn't work. It's like it isn't connected! I have to concentrate on pushing down on my arch instead, in order to get the same result. How bizarre is that!?
We agreed that I'm probably around 30-40% on the ice. I told her I felt like I was 92% off the ice. So it's coming along, but slowly.
I'm so glad we did this. My coach is amazing. I was worried that she would be pushing me too hard, but she was the one who would make me take a break and "shake it out." I had a marvelous lesson and worked up a literal sweat from all the effort. Overall, I skated for about an hour and 15 minutes, and I came home and iced my back immediately.
And here is my positive thought for the week: One of my biggest criticisms of my own skating is that I feel that I look unpolished. I was certain it's because I needed work on some of the basics. But who wants to do that when there are axels to land and 2toes and 2sals to attempt? So maybe this injury is a bit of a blessing in a (painful) disguise?! Because now I am "forced" to relearn the basics and I'm certain it is going to help me with everything overall. So for that I am grateful.
Sorry so long; thanks for listening!