New Blades: Monday, July 28th, 2008

Time

Event

7:22p

First Day on the New Blades Well, I only got 15 minutes in. I was super dizzy and my feet were hurting. Dizzy isn't good for skating, so I made it quick and went home. Good news- I can skate well enough that I can teach tots tomorrow. Bad news- the mohawks are missing I didn't try any spins or jumps except a 2 foot spin- and that was smooth with no toepicks in, although not very fast or many revolutions, but I wasn't trying. I did mainly just forward stroking. Every stroke seemed to take a TON of effort. It was so hard to get a good rhythm or a good glide. But I remember the gold seals being like that too. I don't know how long it will take to get rid of that. And while it's nice to have a rocker again, I guess these blades are technically a downgrade. On the subject of the rocker, I think these blades are flatter than the Mirages were, even though they are both 8'. When I lean forward to try and find that spot it feels like I immediatly go to the toepick. I tried a circle of each crossovers. They were labored and beginner-like, but I could get them okay. I did all my 3-turns and they were all there still, the balance is different though and my body was breaking weird because of it. Like I said, the mohawks are gone. Alternating forward edges were easy to do (didn't try back ones). It doesn't take effort to get to the inside or outside edge. I was able to glide straight without a problem, but I did notice when I looked at my feet it LOOKED like I should have been on an inside edge when I was flat. Very weird. One blade also overhangs the side of the skate, which hopefully won't affect lunges. I'm going to ask a coach to look at them tomorrow to check the alignment. Since there is a "getting used to them" period anyway, I don't know if problems are alignment or just new blades normal. Hopefully the adjustment period isn't too long. I'm signing up to test at the end of September (which is either due next week or in a month, not sure) either way, and will just scratch if I'm totally not ready. I hope I'm ready to practice moves by Saturday, because I have a lesson and am not canceling after just having missed 2 for vacation.

New Paramounts! July 27, 2008

Look what was waiting for me when I got home from New Jersey!





I head to CR to have them mounted this afternoon! I took the old blades off last night and water proofed them. It, unfortuntaley, looks like I'll be needing new boots somewhat soon. When I removed the blades it became apparent that the previous owner had never waterproofed them. The sole on the left boot is black under the front blade plate, and getting there under the right blade plate. Here's hoping the mounter can at least get these on and I can get another 6 months out of them (crosses fingers hopefully.) The uppers aren't at all broken down, and the messed up soles hadn't affected the other blades... so we'll see.

On the annoying side, SkatesUS called me Thursday to make sure I had recieved them (I hadn't- we called home from NJ to check). Apparently when I ordered them last Monday, they asked Paramount to 2-day mail them to me, which they didn't. So they overnighted them Thursday. It's kind of moot since I was on vacation, but if I had gotten them on time I could have had them mounted while I was gone. The woman doing them doesn't think it will take more than a day though, so hopefully I don't miss skating Tuesday.

I'm super nervous about skating on them.... but adjusting to the gold seals wasn't so bad. It took awhile to spin and to do toe jumps, but everything else was the same or better.


Also- the toe pick isn't that bad at all, but it's straight cut again. And they weight 3 ounces each less than the Gold Seals.

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Time

Event

4:45p

Blade update The rink manager emailed me this morning. The blades Jackson told him would be in last Tuesday, are now backordered. He says he's really annoyed with Jackson- yeah, me too. Anyhow, the order is now canceled. I ordered Paramount 1035s (the "mid-grade" their lowest level blade) today. I got them in Icy Pink from skatesus.com. Oddly enough, I ordered them from the wrong place. I had two numbers written down and called the wrong one! Skates US had the cheapest price ($230)- but incredibly expensive shipping ($15)- $15. USASkates had slightly more expensive blades ($235) but only $5 handling ("free shipping" LOL), and directly from paramount they were slightly more expensive ($237), but no shipping. I meant to order from paramount. In the end, it comes out to just $8 difference between what the cheapest could have been, and still under what the list price is ($259.99)- but I think this price just exists to be able to be marked down! Still, who calls the wrong place? I'm a huge dork. But Skates US did exhibit at our rink's competition, so I'm glad I called them. I appreciate that they took the time to drive to our rink. I'm really really hoping shipping will be super fast and I can drop them off in Cedar Rapids before I leave for New Jersey. But my money is on a Saturday afternoon arrival- just after my plane takes off! There is also a Learn to Teach workshop in Rochester MN that I think I'm going to go to. It's only $35 plus about $50 in gas (400 miles, 30 mpg, which should be low, $4 per gallon, which is also probably low, estimate)

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Time

Event

4:35p

Stupid tailbone STILL hurts. Usually it's not too bad, just a short sharp pain if I accidentally lean back (but I can sit normally), however, I was doing situps today, and instead of rolling to my side to get up, I rolled up through my back onto my feet like I used to do. It's been 40 minutes and my tailbone is still screaming at me for that. My goodness it hurt. So I guess it's not actually getting better. I don't know if it's bruised or broken, but I'm not going to go to the doctor. When I fell on my rib I went because we were worried about my appendix, but even then she didn't x-ray to see if it was broken- same thing here. Even if it's broken there's nothing she can do. I'm debating getting a tailbone pad. The skating safe ones are $50 which is a ton of money, but the only thin ones I can find. My backside is big enough- I don't really want a huge pad shoved there too. I don't know if my vanity can handle a pad, but I don't think my tailbone can handle another fall... Skating this week: Monday- didn't go because of flooding and worry about no hospital access in case of a fall. Tuesday- Taught LTS, took class, and practiced. This was the worst set of LTS classes I've had, but Jessie and I were going crazy, the kids would just not listen to anything we said. Unfortunately, the theme kind of continued into my lesson. During my lesson we were to test FS3. I actually passed it back in december, would have been able to pass it a month ago, but now thanks to my ever getting worse blades of suckitude, I can't do it. I told Andy that, and the other adult also said she wasn't ready to test, so just test the one kid skater (who is way beyond that level anyhow) and then go on with class. Nope- he wants us to test. I really suck on the swing rolls, falling off the edge towards the end of each and not getting much swing. I can't do the back inside 3 turns, and I am terrified of the backspin. And honestly, to some extent I wasn't trying. I have had bad fall after bad fall this month and on some things I've given up because I don't want to hurt myself. Once the blades come in, I'll pick it back up. I had the backspin down last month. I know I can do it, just not right now. I really hope he doesn't think I have a bad attitude or am lazy, because I left class kind of feeling that way, but more than anything right now I'm just scared. My own practice went really well. Did all the moves, even power 3s :). Worked on progressives, and they are definetly getting better. Worked on forward spins and it was great fun. I can keep spinning in my lean back position, though I'm sure my leg is fugly! I can also do 2 revolutions in camel, and then come up into a scratch spin, instead of just stopping. Adding that nice scratch onto the end is definetly an accomplishment. Wednesday- Synchro. The whole team (who came) was having a bit of a lazy day, but we still did a good amount. Forward stroking my legs were not working, I was exhausted. Then we did some 3 turns (PB pattern) and the outside (? I mix these up- the first one) going my bad way was just terrible, I was so scared, but the 2nd one I was doing just fine. I thought I was getting nice extension on my good side. Then Brianna had us do 3 turns with side toe hops. Then we worked on the step behind, tap toe hop thingy in thriller. I think a lot of people don't like that, but I'll hop around on my toe picks all she wants if it means I don't have to do a CCW turn. The most fun was working on a new spiral move. We swizzled in a choo-choo train line, then did a forward spiral (on a flat), dropped hands and curved the edgee to hook back up spiraling going in a perpendicular direction. Very cool. Then we worked on crossovers and Brianna told me that my pick foot up crossovers made it look like I was falling each step (oops... I thought that was a nice 2nd push...) but that my progressives are looking very natural. Guess that's a good thing. Thursday- Meant to skate but work was exhausting, so I didn't. Did I post about my new blades? Stupid rink ordered them by boot size instead of blade size. So when I wrote 8.5" on the form, they thought that was my shoe size. Why would you order a blade by shoe size? Multiple blades fit onto each size boot. (For example 8.25 is ideal for the size boot I have, but I think I'm going to go up a size and 8.5 fits, so that's why I want it). That's what happens when the manager isn't a skater. So now I'm playing the waiting game and enjoying my pink blades. (The green wipes off for some reason, the pink doesn't.)

Sharpies on Blades: Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Time	Event
6:16p	Saturday Skate Just a few notes: 1) I'm loving the colored blades. This week they were green with pink on the plate and the edges (because I was lazy and only recolored the sides). While the pink from 2 weeks ago is going strong, the green wiped off with the ice. Weird. But EVERYONE noticed them. (Of course, the whole rink might think I'm wacko by now). 2) I skated for the entire hour during freestyle. Usually between boot problems and knee problems I only make 30 minutes. Quite pleased. 3) Sandy did a lesson as Courtney was absent. We worked a lot on crossovers and I found out I'm stepping onto the wrong edge on my backcrossovers. I've been working so hard on the underpush I had no idea. This needs to be fixed! (Comment on this)
7:41p	Colored blades The thinking about getting paramounts made me really want colored blades. But I decided I don't want paramounts- and I also don't think I could ever just pick one color. Casey on skatingforums once said he colored his blades with sharpies- I thought he was crazy, these things are expensive! Since my blades are shot, I thought I'd give it a try. I have new ones coming if it was a bad idea. Well, I think it was a fine idea. I originally colored them all the fuschia color, but removed it to switch to green. The fushia stayed on (for two weeks now), but the green came off when I cleaned them, so I redid them. It removes easily with nail polish remover. Next week I think I'm going with polka dots! If you decide to try it- test a patch on your blade plate first! I don't know if blades are coated differently and would hate to cause a ruined blade for you! I stay away from the non-coated steel that gets sharpened, but I don't know if that matters. Also, mind your boots. I got a bit on them, and it did come off, but I can't imagine nail polish remover is good for the leather! Green blades My skates with green blades. green blades I kept the sole plate fushia- because I really liked it that way. The blades looked great that color, but they were TOO dark, I think- attracted way too much attention. Lots of people notice the green ones, but I feel like they are a bit more subtle.

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

Time

Event

8:23p

I hate deciding things! I ordered new blades. I finally decided on the Ultima Lite. They were $170 from the rink (most online stores list them at 210). Then I asked Sue to set the order aside because now I'm not sure. I asked Andy about the cross cut vs straight cut toepick, and he didn't really think it made much of a difference at all. However, he told me he really doesn't like the Ultima blades and thinks they sound really bad on the ice. He used (freeskate, not synchro) Karen as an example- saying she wasn't scratching her toe pick, but he blades just don't sound good. He then showed how his blades sound (not sure what they are- probably pattern 99 or something like that) and essentially they don't sound like anything. But Karen has a Mark IV, so I'm not sure that's a good comparision of all Ultimas. He told me that all of his skaters are in Paramounts now and he really recommends them. So I'm thinking about Paramounts. They are $230-250ish- which is a lot more than I'm already spending, and more than the $200 cap I set. And I'm not sure "sounds funny on the ice" is really a valid reason not to get the blade. But the paramounts actually really are a lot lighter, and the weight difference there would probably be signifigant enough that I'd notice, unlike the Lite's which probably don't have much of an impact. (I got them because the girl at Rainbo sports said they were a better intermediate blade than the Protege). I just don't know what to do. I think I need to stop second guessing. Realize that Ultimas are a perfectly respectable brand and stick with the blades I can afford and like. I don't need to spend so much money when I could spend it on lessons instead. Even if I could get purple ones :) (And Brianna said that she doesn't care if the blades don't match for synchro)

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

Time

Event

7:53p

Blade Poll Poll #1190064 Blade poll Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 9 Which blade should I get? View Answers Ultima Protege 5 (55.6%) Ultima Lite 4 (44.4%) Okay, my blades are shot. I really can't skate on them much longer, so I need to order blades soon. I was hoping to do that Tuesday. After going over the best options (the plan is under $200). I've decided to stick with Ultima, because he rink offers a substantial discount. I considered the coronation ace- but the 7' rocker would be a change for me, and a coach said if I skate on my toes a lot, it would be a bad idea to get the 7' over the 8', it would just make it worse. I thought about the Paramounts, but I don't think the low level blade offers the benefits, and I'm certainly not paying for a higher level one. I was pretty happy on my super low level Ultima Mirage, so I just need to step it up a bit. To be realistic, I'm a FS3 skater who doesn't even have a flip. My blades don't need to be incredible. I'm incredibly neurotic when I buy expensive things- please don't make me making this decision alone! Anyhow- my two finalists (you can vote other, buy have a good reason- I'm going crazy trying to decide.) The Ultima Protege- this is a step up from the Mirage and a good blade for my level. It is $110 (at the rink). The toe pick is straight cut (like the Mirage, but different from my current blade) and doesn't have one of the low picks that sticks out- not sure if that makes a difference for me or not. http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/site/product.cfm/id/4AC5787C-475A-BAC0-54B223F48E9E7C56 The Ultima Lite- okay, honestly I want this blade because it's really cool looking. Stupid reason for a blade, I know. It would cost me $170 (rink price). It's higher than I need for FS3 but well below the Gold Seals I'm on now. I don't think it's "too much blade". It has cross cut toe picks, like I have now. It also has one of those low toe picks, and I don't know if that's the reason I'm scratching. (I'll try asking again on Tuesday, but the instructor who deals with this all was NO help.) I don't think the light weight really makes that much of a difference- it's probably only a few ounces, right?, but I guess it has the potential for higher spirals and maybe higher jumps? Downside- different than the other girls on synchro team, but I think that shouldn't matter. It's not like they are purple. http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/site/product.cfm/id/ED93262E-D610-7E99-D3084776F67CED30