January flashback

Looking back at last month, things are mostly going okay.  I still don't have my change foot spin and my salchow jump is a hit-or-miss, but I'm gradually getting stronger, skating with better form, developing better edges, etc.  I've had one lesson so far for the new year, my coach was very happy with how much better my one foot spin got since my last lesson six weeks prior. I've actually had a break through with that spin, thanks to the word "table top" at my last lesson.  My coach is having me think "table top" with my arms to keep them strong and steady as I push and rotate into the spin. With using that, my spin has more power into it, better rotation, better centering, and not on my toe pick nearly as much. So, I've pretty much been taking that idea and running (spinning?) with it.  :)  As for my salchow and change foot...those will get better over time.  Maybe I just need a magic word with the change foot, and it's just a matter of finding it.

My BIG plus for last month was that I skated in the Polar Ice Classic at the Homewood-Flossmoor Ice Arena near Chicago.  This was the second time I've ever competed, and I competed in two events (FS 2 solo and compulsories).  Although I was competing "against the book" in both events, I'm VERY happy to say that I scored a first place finish in both events!  I even did my solo with only a 30 second warm up on the ice.  What happened was that the competition got behind schedule, so my coach thought that we had a lot of time before getting onto the ice.  So, we were in the dressing room area, doing warm up stuff, and suddenly, someone comes looking for me, as I was suppose to have been on the ice right then. I was in my dress and make up, but didn't have my skates on!  I rush into my skates, but by the time I got onto the ice, I had 30 seconds left.  I had never been on their ice before, which, of course, feels really different than my home rink.  I was also suppose to be the first to go in my group.  Needless to say, this rattled my nerves quite a bit.  Thankfully, my coach was able to have me be switched to being last, so that I could have a chance to get myself together.

I was nervous when I stepped onto the ice. I was more nervous about skating in front of an unfamiliar audience, and skating well than being judged itself.  I had one mistake in my step sequence in the beginning of my program, but knowing that I had a second shot with it (due to the choreography), I took a moment to glide on an outside edge, tell myself that I KNOW that sequence, let the last one go, and give it another shot. I did the sequence right the second time around, and continued to skate a clean program after that.  I even got cheers for my spiral, which felt really good. Before I knew it, my solo was over.  I always find it hard to believe on fast something flies by when you're out there on the ice.  In regular FS sessions, I will do my solo, but it feels like it takes much longer than when I'm performing in front of an audience.  It simply just flies by.  With getting through that, I wasn't at all worried about my compulsories.

For my compulsories, I almost missed part of my warm up again, but I was able to get there in time for my five minute warm-up.  Next time, I'm going to make sure that I'm ready to go at least 10-15 minutes beforehand, so that I'm not rushing onto the ice.  I had to do a ballet jump, 1/2 lutz jump, and a one foot spin.  Knowing that I could do my solo well under pressure, I wasn't nearly as nervous doing my compulsories, so I was able to keep my focus really well.  I was the only one on the ice at that time, but I took my time through my elements.  I came off of that ice feeling like I did well, but it was still really nice to see that first place score posted later on.  The first place rankings got me a high five from my coach, so I was very happy with how I skated, despite my nerves, and I'm looking forward to competing again in March for our Illini Ice Competition.

As for a more recent event, I will be trying out for a "specialty number" for our rink's spring exhibition skate in May. The try outs are next Saturday, and all of the skaters are trying out with using "You've Never Had a Friend Like Me" from Aladdin.  For this number, each of us designed our own routine, and we'll be skating it in front of the exhibition coordinators for a chance at either a solo, duet, or trio.  With this, we have absolutely NOTHING to lose, as we will all get something, so it's a win-win situation.

As for other goals, I have started working on the Pre-Bronze MITF (just started working on the stroking sequence), and I have hopes to put together a bronze level program for the March competition.  I'm also skating to a new practice routine, which is majorly helping me stay focused, and I'm sure it will help me with making some much needed progress.  The scary part is doing my jump sequences, as I have to approach them with more speed, I build up the speed, set up for the jump, and things MAJORLY slow down...argh!  It WILL get better!