Deirdre Russell

Atlanta, GA, United States

Posted

May 30 at 01:58 PM

Ash, Last night you did a barrel Roll Crossover circle exercise.  Is there a video breakdown of that one?  Martin really liked it and wants to work on it.

Posted

May 30 at 11:51 AM

Thank you Ashley for an amazing class in Atlanta last night.  thank you for making space for all of us....even the slightly broken folks.  Thank you for helping me to celebrate the achievement of just BEING on the ice. And I can't believe that somehow after all the years of stressing about what it would be like to skate with you watching,  that didn't matter a bit last night.  You are very good at helping people feel seen and accepted.  Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing in the Adult Skating Community.
Also thank you for accepting my kid in the skin he is comfortable in.  You are truly a gem of a human being young lady. 

Commented on return to the ice

May 17 at 08:22 AM

took a step backwards today.  Skated scared.  But I stayed on the ice for the full 40 minutes and was able to teach my hubby his left power -threes.

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Commented on return to the ice

May 16 at 02:58 PM

oh, one thing i am super proud of - I fell THREE times last session!  And I didn't break. I didn't die.  That kind of thing has to happen in order to convince my scared lizard brain that skating and falling is not fatal.  It's a huge step forward.  I tried things that were pushing my (current) abilities a bit and they didn't go well.  But the cool thing is this - I PUSHED.  so yay me.

Commented on return to the ice

May 16 at 02:55 PM

Update, I've been skating twice a week....well attempting to skate. I can skate on one foot now.  Seriously.  I'm working on trying to get my three turns back before I embarrass myself in Ashley's class.  I have no illusions about being able to keep up, I just want to not be the most pitiful thing she has ever seen take the ice.  The terror is fading.  I have actually had two sessions now that felt like I actually skated  as opposed to just TRYING to skate.  If you have ever had to work your way back, you will understand what I mean by that.My advice to everyone - never let a month go by where you don't skate.  If you love it, keep that ability always in your back pocket.  Because very few things in my life have sucked as badly as remembering how the ice is supposed to feel but not being able to DO it.  

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Commented on return to the ice

Apr 19 at 01:17 PM

UPDATE....After 4 sessions (only 40 minutes each)  I have FINALLY gotten back to where I can lift one foot off the ice.  Just holding outside edges down the hockey lines.   So that is my victory for today.  My April Challenge is to get myself ready to go to Ashley's class in Atlanta.  I CAN do this.  It is mostly fear holding me back.

Commented on post was deleted

Apr 19 at 01:14 PM

bend your knees!  Bend them more!  they are never as bent as we think they are.  welcome to the best sport in the world!

Replied on return to the ice

Mar 29 at 05:23 PM

I showed Skyler that you commented and his jaw dropped

Commented on return to the ice

Mar 10 at 10:02 AM

Meghan & Samantha, Thank you for the encouragement.  I've been staying away this week because just that one session Monday morning was enough to tweak my left hip, hamstring and calf.  I have to be good to myself and take this really slow.  agonizingly slowly actually. sigh

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Posted

Mar 06 at 09:32 AM

help.  I need to hear from anyone who wanted to get back on the ice and did it, but found themselves terrified when actually back out there.  I just got my skates sharpened and went back out on the ice after 7 years off.  I used to have a lovely spiral, but can only skate 2 footed now.  I don't have the secure, fabulous feeling I used to have.  I'm 53, been through spinal fusion and am 50 pounds overweight, but I think the real kicker is the 7 years away from the ice.  Anyone have any encouragement for this experience?  I can't let it end here.  I need the ice in my life.  I'm just going to have to take it super slow and pray that I can get comfortable again.  p.s. I wasn't expecting to get everything back on the first session, but damn I wanted to be able to do more than just swizzles!