Christopher sent her a list of things he wanted her to work on with me but we didn't have time to go through all of them. The flip jump and the sit spin were on the list (!) but we only had time to work on the spin entry and preparation for the flip jump. However, we started off by looking at the Circle 8, per my request.
Circle Hate (ahem, I mean, Circle 8): I warned her ahead of time that, due to the injury, I have a difficult time getting on an LFO edge. She gave me direction on getting my right hip higher which was new and helpful, but she kept telling me that my LFO circle was too big and to just make it smaller. Yes, I know. That's the problem! I can't get on the edge. Like, I get what I'm supposed to do, I just can't get my body to do the thing. If I could get on the edge, the circle would be smaller but I can't just make it so. Maybe this is a problem that will never be fixed despite who is coaching me. I'm just broken :-/
Spin Entry: Christopher added this to the list because of my problems getting on the LFO edge and travelling as a result. Again, I'm not sure how much she helped in this regard. I think she thought the problem was that I was having a difficult time with the spinning aspect of it all. But it's not the spin that's the problem, it's the LFO into the spin that's the issue.
Flip Prep: We only had five more minutes left so I told her what I've been doing as prep exercises for the flip jump (half flip with free leg in "h" position and loop jump). She had me do each for her and then she had me do a couple of things with my arms at the boards but, again, nothing that I didn't already know. This isn't a technique problem, it's a fear thing. I've landed the flip a number of times but then I go months without working on it because somehow fear gets in the way. It's frustrating to know that I can and have done the element but then suddenly I can't because I'm scared.
So, here are my thoughts: I think she's a lovely person and I'm sure she's an excellent skater/coach but I get the impression that she maybe doesn't work with a lot of adults. Our problems with skating are so different than those of the younger kids. Adult skaters aren't as pliable as kids are and so we balk at trying things because when we fall, we fall hard and sometimes can't get up. I know how the flip jump works and where to spin on my blade but I have both physical and psychological roadblocks that prevent me from completing these elements. It's not as simple as just explaining it to me. I need time and encouragement...and PATIENCE! I think that's why I appreciate my coach as much as I do. He understands that I'll get it eventually, but I need to talk it out and maybe overthink about it for a bit before I muster the courage to actually do it. He listens. When I was having anxiety over doing the loop jump again, he let me panic about it and explain why I'm scared all the while encouraging me and reminding me that I'm brave. Coaching isn't all about explaining technique. I think to be a good coach you also have to be empathetic and understanding of some of the larger issues, especially when you are coaching adults. So yeah, I liked her okay but working with her reminded me why I like working with Christopher so much. He just gets me :)
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