Tonights class was the first of several workouts without skates that helps to build better skaters. We did the type of exercises that no one gets excited about; but are important to overall health, as well as better performance.
I took the class through some basic core exercises and then transitioning into some strength and power building exercises, like crossover lunges. Doing crossovers on skates is difficult to get comfortable with, so I make sure to incorporate dry land exercises that mimic the skating motion but build confidence and strength. The downside to this is that they HURT. The lactic acid was burning through our legs and our hearts were pounding tonight. I enjoy the challenge of putting together a workout that is functional towards the goal but also interesting enough that the students want to do them all out.
I know legs will be sore tomorrow and I will interested in getting those sore legs working again on Saturday.
Great job tonight, dry land skaters. Your hard work will pay off.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Beginnings are exciting!
The first couple weeks of the training program for the Texas Road Rash Inline Marathon are under our belts and I am re-energized by my students. I have students that are eager to learn and excited about the new activity they are adding to their lives.
The weeks leading up to a new training class are full of unknowns, trepidations and excitement. I really enjoy starting a new project and creating something that others will benefit from and enjoy. I not only have to make the class about conditioning but incorporate skill drills to help each student become a better skater. Inline skating is very technical and my class incorporates a lot of technical drills to help each student have a much steeper learning curve versus doing it on their own. This past Saturday, I talked about the "ah ha" moment that each student will have. Everyone has them and they come at different times for each person but I love to see that moment happen for each student. I think that is the time that each student realizes the value in my incessant ranting about technique and drills, drills, drills. I get excitement from them when they have those moments and they get excited because they feel the progress that they have made in such a short amount of time.
Now the challenge, for me, becomes keeping it interesting and challenging enough to keep those "ah ha" moments coming for each student.
Along with training my students, I have to incorporate my own training into the months coming up. I have big goals for this year like moving up one category to race Pro Masters and finally being able to beat a couple of my age group competitors. More so than the race results, I have really come to terms with making each workout, race, event, etc as enjoyable as possible and still reach my goals.
I'm excited at the possibilities!!
The weeks leading up to a new training class are full of unknowns, trepidations and excitement. I really enjoy starting a new project and creating something that others will benefit from and enjoy. I not only have to make the class about conditioning but incorporate skill drills to help each student become a better skater. Inline skating is very technical and my class incorporates a lot of technical drills to help each student have a much steeper learning curve versus doing it on their own. This past Saturday, I talked about the "ah ha" moment that each student will have. Everyone has them and they come at different times for each person but I love to see that moment happen for each student. I think that is the time that each student realizes the value in my incessant ranting about technique and drills, drills, drills. I get excitement from them when they have those moments and they get excited because they feel the progress that they have made in such a short amount of time.
Now the challenge, for me, becomes keeping it interesting and challenging enough to keep those "ah ha" moments coming for each student.
Along with training my students, I have to incorporate my own training into the months coming up. I have big goals for this year like moving up one category to race Pro Masters and finally being able to beat a couple of my age group competitors. More so than the race results, I have really come to terms with making each workout, race, event, etc as enjoyable as possible and still reach my goals.
I'm excited at the possibilities!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Year, New Committment
Obviously I have not been updating my posts in recent months but there will be lots of activity this year so I am back on board (no pun intended) and will update more regularly.
As for skating, I have a class starting up next week and I am looking forward to helping another batch of skaters reach their goals. I love to see the progress from the first day of the program to them completing a marathon on skates. Everyones technique improves and I can see the excitement they get from learning new skills and improving.
2008 was a great year in my skating career and I look forward to making 09 even better. Come join me at the Veloway and Get Inline!
As for skating, I have a class starting up next week and I am looking forward to helping another batch of skaters reach their goals. I love to see the progress from the first day of the program to them completing a marathon on skates. Everyones technique improves and I can see the excitement they get from learning new skills and improving.
2008 was a great year in my skating career and I look forward to making 09 even better. Come join me at the Veloway and Get Inline!
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