So THAT's What the Outside Edge Feels Like

The process of trying to get into some sort of condition for the speed skating season (about 30% physical and 70% mental) goes slowly but surely.  A major part is getting more comfortable on skates with the help of my figure skating coach, Alexandre Chichkov, who has been nothing if not patient.  He's a former World Juniors Champion (You Tube has films), so a head case student like me must be frustrating.  Anyway, this past Thursday, after my lesson, I was practicing, concentrating on position and the feel of the blade.  All of a sudden, nearing 270 degrees in the arc, a revelation:  so THAT's what the outside edge feels like!!!

The practices since Thursday haven't been quite as close, but I'm focused, and skating, and feeling the ice...

Meanwhile, the real athlete of the family is making great strides in her recovery, and I think she'll show people something in the coming long track season, starting with the Desert Classic in August.  The past two Saturdays, Liz Looby has biked on Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, and this weekend made it to the summit in Brighton, Utah!  She has worked so hard to recover from the injuries in October 2010 that it is easier and easier to believe that her strength and her belief in herself and her dream will get her to the Olympics.