Patch virgin . . .

. . . no more!

Yes, I finally plucked up the courage to join a patch session! It took me five minutes of gazing through the window, and then another ten minutes watching them from the stands (just to guage things you understand . . .) before I got on the ice, but I finally made it! And it wasn't as bad as I thought. I was very careful watching everyone around me and keeping out of the way, but no, it wasn't so bad after all.

It was really nice to do some forward stroking at speed which is hard even at the practice session at the end of the group lessons, as you have to watch out for the lower Skate UK Level skaters. I managed to do the whole length of the rink in about six or seven strokes, which I was reasonably impressed with. I am also focussing on pushing off with my inside edge, and making it less toe-picky. Doing okay I think. I also managed to spend some time doing continuous curves down the length of the rink and I think am getting more power behind these now as well. Both inside and outside edges feel stronger, and the transition between the semi circles are much smoother. When I bring my feet together, I am sinking down in my knees more before pushing off, which helps with both stabilising me and to give the next curve more power.

I also spent some time on FO3's today (of course!) and just found these frustrating today. Didn't manage one and it just felt like one step forward, one step back. They were however beginning to feel a little better towards the end of the session. I am now concentrating on "Tummy in, make sure right on outside edge before turn, arms at waist height, don't lean too far forward on the turn, turn shoulders and keep head locked to shoulders, keep free foot GLUED to the skating leg . . . blah, blah blah!!" Honestly, it's a wonder my head doesn't explode when I do these now with all the thought processes going on!

So that was it. I am soooooo glad I have my first patch session under my belt. And it was another small step today to making me feel like a real figure skater - even though I was the most beginner skater there!