My goals were very simple after all

[sampaguita]

I was skating the other day and the following things hit me:

• I don't toe push anymore. Even when I'm lazily skating around.
• I have a reasonable extension when I do stroking now. Free leg is straight and up, and foot points to the right.
• Corners no longer scare me, because crossovers no longer scare me. (Regulars on skatingforums must be very familiar with this  )
• Going forwards to backwards is easy now, because I've learned how to do a proper mohawk.
• I can skate backwards with a straight back now, even if it's backward stroking or consecutive edges.
• I no longer scratch the ice with my toepick when on a backward outside edge, and can do the back entrance edge to a waltz jump on the right side of the blade.
• I can do cross rolls with a proper push.
• When I step forward on the waltz jump, I actually slide a reasonable distance now. 

I still can't jump high enough, or spin, but I realize it doesn't bother me as much. (Although I am envious of spinners!) Apparently, my goal was really simple -- it was just to be comfortable on the ice. And after 6 years, I've finally met that goal.

Now...onto mastering the different turns! And hoping to do spins and jumps in the future.

[Doubletoe]

Congratulations!!!   Those were excellent goals, and I'm sure you now look like someone who knows how to skate!  That isn't easy.

[sampaguita]

Thank you Doubletoe! It wasn't easy at all -- it took me 6 years! 

[Feebee]

Apparently, my goal was really simple -- it was just to be comfortable on the ice. And after 6 years, I've finally met that goal.

omg, I relate to this so much, and I feel really comforted by the fact that it took you 6 years. I'm on year 2 (that's kind of 2 years condensed, one with a good coach,the other not as much) and I've been feeling so embarrassed by the fact that I'm _still_ not comfortable on the ice yet.

very one of the things you listed above are things I struggle with, still. Fear of crossovers (this comes and goes, but gets worse if I trip and fall badly, which I do every few months or so), hunched over back on backwards stroking, and strong crossrolls/russian stroking. In my head I should be further along by now, my skills are all there, so why can't I do them comfortably? But reading this made me remember that it takes time to get to that comfort zone, even after you have the skills.

[Jf12]

It took me 3 years to not have to remind myself to not look down at the ice all the time.

[amy1984]

It took me 3 years to not have to remind myself to not look down at the ice all the time.

but what if it goes somewhere?? 

[ChristyRN]

It took me 3 years to not have to remind myself to not look down at the ice all the time.

I've been at it 15 years and still look down. It's the hardest $*%#*( habit to break. I tell my coach I want to see where I'm going to land when I fall.

[icedancer]

Looking at the ice: haven't you had that dream where you are skating along and all of a sudden you are in a swimming pool?

That could happen!  You need to look down to make sure it doesn't!!

[Loops]

Looking at the ice: haven't you had that dream where you are skating along and all of a sudden you are in a swimming pool?

That could happen!  You need to look down to make sure it doesn't!!

Lol!! Icedancer you crack me up!!!

[fsk8r]

Looking at the ice: haven't you had that dream where you are skating along and all of a sudden you are in a swimming pool?

That could happen!  You need to look down to make sure it doesn't!!

Given that the competition I entered was cancelled for this very reason, it's a vital skill to develop!

[Live2Sk8]

I am so glad to find out I am not totally weird.  I had a dream that I was testing moves in the field, and the rink was a lap lane swimming pool, and somehow I was supposed to do my moves down one of the lap lanes, in the water.  I woke up in horror.

[Feebee]

Woah, I had that dream once too! I was doing spins and skating moves underwater in a pool. WEIRDDD.

[icedancer]

We should start another thread - "Skating Dream" because I'm pretty sure I've had them all!

Love the one about being in a lap pool and having to do your moves down the lane!  (Actually that would be a good way to get the kids especially to understand the whole "down rink" concept).

[Feebee]

We should start another thread - "Skating Dream" because I'm pretty sure I've had them all!

We should, haha. When I first started I had dreams constantly where I was skating with ease, could do deep edges with control etc. I haven't dreamt about skating in months, maybe over a year now, I think because I finally bridged the gap with my real-life ability and what I want to do on ice. Nothing is perfect on ice, but I can do things now that I didn't even know to dream about back then. Yay for progress.