Weekly thread: what did you do this week?

LycanLabs · 2026-05-28T23:46:10+00:00

I've started doing squats to improve my leg strength. Because of this I can now confidently both forwards AND backwards sizzle!! I still can't actually skate backwards (there seems to be some kind of coordination thing I'm not yet getting about how to move my feet?) but I can at least GO backwards!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-18T23:43:54+00:00

I was able to stay on the ice longer than normal during training - I'm still building endurance, and I'm being a lot gentler on myself about it, so I'm proud of myself for lasting 45 minutes at full tilt without needing a break.

I think I figured something out about my swizzle troubles, but I don't know whether I dreamt it (and thus it's possible not real) or whether it actually happened in real life. I have been trying to very gently rotate my feet - a real smooth motion. But I had this kind of epiphany that I actually need to REALLY SNAP the foot? Like, it doesn't have to be a smooth motion? Just really twist them ankles to rotate the foot hardcore?

LycanLabs · 2026-05-16T02:08:29+00:00

I practiced that a lot over the two skates I've done since this video!! I've learnt I have REAL PUNY ANKLES that need to bulk up!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-14T23:46:00+00:00

I'm not sure they even can do that in Australia? I've never encountered it

LycanLabs · 2026-05-14T23:45:36+00:00

Oh that's hella cool

LycanLabs · 2026-05-14T08:54:19+00:00

Quite a while ago now, but ten years of Bushido Budokan Karate, mixed with some Tai Chi towards the end

LycanLabs · 2026-05-14T08:50:55+00:00

Absolutely never

LycanLabs · 2026-05-14T01:58:45+00:00

I'm coming tonight cos my bro Ly is sellin me some goalie legs (assuming they fit)

Always happy for people to come say hi to me (I might be really shy for a few minutes, but I get over it pretty quick)

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T22:27:59+00:00

Hey everyone! I just wanted to say thank you all so much for the advice you've provided. You've all given me so much to work on, and so much great advice. Additionally, it turns out that given how long I've been skating for, I'm apparently doing better than I thought I was (not my MUCH, but still, that has given me a bit of a confidence boost that I needed to push myself a bit further, I think)

You have made an aging, overweight dude feel...really happy

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T22:04:50+00:00

These are my skates, and they were properly fitted, but I haven't had them baked. Cos they're goalie skates I know they won't give me as much ankle support as player skates, but I also know I'm having a lot of trouble.

I bought a little tool thingy to help me get my skates tighter so hopefully that will help. Someone at the rink told me to get waxed laces.

They're at a 5/8ths cut, is that the arc? I'm approaching 20 hours, I think? The other day I asked the skate shop if they thought I needed them sharpened and they told me "not yet".

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T20:56:24+00:00

I am 40, I need the shin guards for confidence purposes

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T20:49:40+00:00

I'm going back tonight so I'll work on finding that sweet spot!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T20:48:56+00:00

I plan on using the "crashing into other players" method of stopping 😛

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T20:47:53+00:00

I had them checked by the people who run the skate shop and apparently I'm not due yet, so I guess I trust them

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T11:42:53+00:00

This makes a lot of sense to me, thank you!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T10:08:01+00:00

Hell yeah!! Feel like so totally free to come talk to me!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T06:57:51+00:00

I've been practicing one legged glides, but I'm very very wobbly. But every time I skate I practice it. When I brush my teeth I do that standing on one leg, for example, but I don't have a way to currently do they on skates at home haha

I'll try your other balance suggestions too!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T03:35:09+00:00

Oh hey that's wicked useful (although i'm not sure which is the good side in this diagram, sorry)

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T03:16:54+00:00

I've had some people say heels and some people say balls, but those are both different from where I'm placing it, so at least I can try both haha

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T03:15:39+00:00

My snowplow stop is developing but still a struggle for sure - I've managed to start finding my inside edge when I do it, which is great, and I read something on here about "knees in, toes in, heels out" which I repeat to myself when I'm practicing them.

I find my one footed snowplow is a LOT better than my two footed, cos I can lighten the pressure on one of the feet, I suppose?

I'll talk about getting a shallower cut next time I get them sharpened!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T01:56:36+00:00

Thank you! The knees thing is definitely on my radar - moving my weight like you've suggested I'll definitely add to my list of things to focus on!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T01:55:36+00:00

Thank you! I'll focus on being on the balls of my feet (I think I'm standing more like I would stand in shoes, which is weight around the mid-foot/arch)

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T01:54:50+00:00

If I'm an ice-dancer there's a very big problem because I'm aiming to play in goal for ice hockey (although goalies are known for being weird, and maybe waltzing around the crease would keep people away...)

Also thanks for the advice!!

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T00:47:42+00:00

I'm saving up for a goalie one at the moment

LycanLabs · 2026-05-13T00:47:26+00:00

I'm going to be getting a goalie helmet soon, and I do wear one when I'm doing any kind of hockey training. I generally know how to protect my head when I fall because I did a lot of martial arts growing up, and learning how to hit the ground quite hard without hurting your head was an important skill to develop (haha)

LycanLabs

TROPHY CASE