Happy New Year to all of my fellow skaters of all skating levels and ages out there. I have high hopes for this year to be a good one in everyone's lives. Looking back, I think I've had a pretty awesome year. In case you missed them, here are some of the highlights:
1. Got a new skating coach who has been nothing but fantastic.
2. Passed BOTH FS 1 and 2
3. Learned, and landed, a salchow and toe-loop.
4. Got into MUCH better physical shape, ran a 5k, and got a HUGE hug and an "Oh my god!" comment from my coach the first time that he saw me back on the ice back in August. It sucked to not skate for basically the whole summer, but, all of that off-ice work paid off!
5. Learned a new routine for FS 3, and performed it at our fall exhibition in front of a large crowd, nerves and all!
6. Got compliments from other adult skaters on how much my skating has improved over the year.
7. FINALLY sorting out that freaking 1/2 toe walley jump, and have finally made my peace with it.
8 Decided to try out for a specialty number (solo, duet, or trio) for my rink's spring exhibition. The tryouts are in February.
9. Registered to skate at the Polar Ice Classic at Homewood-Flossmoor on January 11. This will be my second time ever competing.
So, all and all...not a bad year skating wise! Yes, some skating days were harder than others, but the main thing is that I stuck it out. To keep me motivated, I've come up with a list of things that I would like to work on for this coming year. It's not a "must do" list per se, but something for me to work towards.
-Pass FS 3 (planning on testing that in a month or so)
-Learn, take, and pass USFS Adult Pre-Bronze MITF and FS
-Get a legit spread eagle and Ina Bauer, and maybe use them in a program
-Land a clean loop and flip jump, both off and on ice...MAYBE take FS 4 late next fall
-Continue to work on overall fitness and flexibility, including the possibility of running a 1/2 marathon in April. :). I also want to get a true center split, and get my right leg split consistent. However, my right leg split is MUCH better than what it use to be!
-Learn the beginning ice dances
-Skate at different rinks if I get the chance, and maybe take a lesson or two in a specialty area from a different coach at said rink.
-Don't be intimidated by the young skaters. A lot of times, we're working on similar, overall ideas, just at different levels. Plus, someone's got to show them that one can skate as a grown up, and be good at it. It might as well be me (and you!).
-Skate more often for the sheer fun of it. Go ahead...laugh with a friend at attempts to do shoot the ducks and landing on your butt.
-Continue to have a positive attitude with my coach, and be willing to try new things
-Continue to conquer the fear of falling by allowing myself to fall. Yes, there is a chance of falling on my front superman style or hitting the back of my head, but I can't let that fear stop me.
-Be proud of what I'm able to do, what I'm working towards, and seeing how far I have come. Come to think of it, I've come A LONG WAY since I started skating classes on January 16, 2011. :)
- DON'T.GIVE.UP! Off-days and bad days are gonna happen, but quitting is NOT an option.
What are YOUR goals?
