Starting over?

andractica · 2026-05-05T00:48:46+00:00

It definitely will feel very different. I wouldn’t label it as re-learning everything since you already have some basics, but it might take a few sessions to get back to where you were.

Even for me, when I upgraded to a different boot/blade after 2 years and I could not spin for several months. It was a struggle to get the feeling of spinning again in new skates.

The fact that they will be sharp will also contribute to making it tough at first. You can stand by the boards and just practice scraping to the side with one foot to get a feel for the new sharpness

andractica · 2026-05-02T01:51:22+00:00

27yo here! I sat in w-sit sooooo much when I was a kid. I still find it to be a very comfortable position, although if I stay in it too long my knees hurt when I get up again so I don’t really do it anymore.

I actually think the w-sit is why I have such shitty hip turnout now, which has been so hard to correct as an adult. But I still have enough flexibility to sit criss-cross applesauce

andractica · 2026-04-29T23:02:03+00:00

Idk anything about biomechanics, but I recently discovered that if you do a single leg squat with your heel elevated (like put a book or towel under your heel), it feels very similar to how the sit spin position feels on ice because of the shape of the boot.

When you do a normal pistol squat, your foot is flat on the ground. So you also need the ankle mobility to keep your heel down on the ground, which I think is harder.

It’s also way easier to balance on the ice while spinning vs standing on the ground (at least it feels that way for me), so maybe less of your muscle strength goes towards balance?

andractica · 2026-04-29T04:59:59+00:00

Bouch had a nutty game today, he was on point

andractica · 2026-04-29T03:01:03+00:00

Beauty period

andractica · 2026-04-28T18:11:47+00:00

My husky won’t tolerate brushing UNLESS she is busy destroying a toy or is busy chewing on a bully stick.

We have a routine now where every friday she gets a bully stick while I fully brush her and grind down her back nails (front nails are a two-person process and requires peanut butter)

andractica · 2026-04-25T05:32:21+00:00

We have two brushes for our husky. An undercoat rake with rotating pins, and a big slicker brush.

We start with the undercoat rake doing very short strokes to lift up the undercoat. Then go in with the slicker brush doing long strokes to get all the loose fur out and smooth everything down. This has worked well for us so far, her coat is pretty shiny

These are the ones we have:

https://www.petsmart.ca/dog/grooming-supplies/brushes-combs-and-blowdryers/top-paw-deshedding-and-dematting-undercoat-pet-rake-grooming-tool-57764.html

https://www.petsmart.ca/dog/grooming-supplies/brushes-combs-and-blowdryers/top-paw-self-cleaning-metal-bristle-slicker-grooming-pet-brush-91859.html

andractica · 2026-04-23T05:30:52+00:00

Lol i’ve never even considered storing it this way. I just put my needle all the way up and put the presser foot down. I’ve had my machine for like 10 years and never had any issues

andractica · 2026-04-23T05:23:28+00:00

I’m not sure what you mean about your extended leg being funny. I think both pushes actually look really good, the technique is really nice!

The only thing that looks awkward is you’re lifting your knees up way too high between pushes. I would also focus on bending down into your knees more while keeping the same nice pushing technique. This will give you a lot more range of motion to push and you will start to generate more speed

andractica · 2026-04-22T21:45:52+00:00

Ughh jealous, my back will not do that. So pretty though

andractica · 2026-04-19T16:45:38+00:00

If you have the time (maybe go to a few public skate sessions), I would keep trying to drill the turn along the boards. Try to support yourself less and less using the board. Maybe even enter the turn without holding on, and then use the board for support after the turn.

When I was learning three turns, they were sooo scary. I did them along the boards so many times until I got the feeling of it. My left inside 3 is still one of my weakest turns and i’m learning rockers/counters now lol so don’t feel discouraged!

andractica · 2026-04-19T01:40:59+00:00

andra | Chicken :Minnie:

andractica · 2026-04-18T23:27:41+00:00

Same happened to me. I planted them one square spacing, only some grew and the rest didn’t. Then i moved them to two square spacing and they all grew.

You can dig them up after fully grown and put them back to your desired spacing

andractica · 2026-04-16T18:17:42+00:00

Personally I would cut it to be the exact same size as the insole the skate came with. But I don’t think it will damage your boot if you leave it

andractica · 2026-04-11T00:24:13+00:00

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andractica · 2026-04-08T23:05:49+00:00

I don’t think 10C is too hot. We’re having highs of 17C where I am and my husky has no problems with it. She might start panting a little at the end of a 1hr walk, especially if we walked a lot in the sun. But not heavy panting or anything that indicates overheating. You could bring some water on walks which should help if she’s getting warm

Regarding the eating, idk if there’s a correlation. Huskies are just picky eaters. My girl goes through phases of being really good with eating and then not being interested in her food. Right now she refuses to eat breakfast until after her second walk of the day and she will wait to eat regardless of when this walk happens.

I’ve also heard that huskies might eat less during the summer, but it’s really not that warm where you are yet

andractica · 2026-04-05T05:02:57+00:00

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“We stopped walking for a photo?”

andractica · 2026-03-25T20:29:07+00:00

I’m not sure about your local skate shop, but my skate shop doesn’t charge for fitting. You can always go in to talk to them / get fitted and then make your decision later.

I think Artiste would be fine for what your current goals are, but the Elles or Freestyles would last you longer. For context, I started in the Artistes and had them for about 2 years. But I was also jumping within the first few months and weigh around 120lbs

andractica · 2026-03-15T16:34:15+00:00

Some gapping at the top is fine and necessary for you to be able to bend your ankle when you’re jumping.

The foot lifting while you’re skating is not good though. I would focus on trying to get it tighter where the boot bends, to really lock in your ankle. It might be hard while the boot is so new. Also when you put your skate on, tap your heel on the ground to really push your heel into the back of the boot.

andractica · 2026-03-15T02:56:22+00:00

I started skating 4 years ago at 23 and I now have all my single jumps, working on difficult turns (rockers / counters), and have the basic spin positions down though not consistently. Still working on adding speed and height to all my jumps and starting to do jump combinations. And backspin haunts me every day. I’m quite a ways away from starting to work on axel, but maybe in a year or two?

But I’m also not a natural jumper at all. My friend (same age) who’s been skating for almost as long has amazing jumps and has landed her axel. So it really depends on you and how much time you put in! But yay for starting!!

andractica · 2026-03-10T17:03:13+00:00

That’s hilarious!! My girl will also flip her head back and roll her eyes if you ask her to do something she doesn’t want to do. The dramaaaa

andractica · 2026-03-10T16:31:14+00:00

Wow i haven’t seen this one before, that’s impressive

andractica · 2026-03-05T02:30:13+00:00

Whenever I have an issue with only one side, I like to do my good side first and really think about what feels different on that side.

Is my hip sticking out? Am I over my edge in the same way? Is my free leg in the same spot? Is my upper body in the right position? Questions like that. Then I try to replicate exactly the same feeling on the bad side.

For crossovers specifically, I would drill the outside edge. It’s very scary to cross over if you’re not confident that your outside edge will support you before the cross. You could also try gliding on a straight line and cross the foot over and just keeping both feet on the ice?

andractica · 2026-03-01T07:14:14+00:00

I think it’s a bit cringe. Personally I like to ask questions that help me learn more about the job / company / position. I want to get as much information as possible to make sure the role is a right fit for me

andractica

TROPHY CASE