I have a dream!

I had the day off from work because of MLK Day so I got to skate an afternoon adult session which is always refreshing.

Compulsoriez - I ran this a couple of times just to keep it under my feet. It's clean.

Jumpz - I practiced all of my program jumps in isolation but spent a lot of time on the toe loop. Christopher pointed out that part of my problem (besides the typical rushing) is that I am picking in way behind myself so it's forcing me to pre-rotate and, as a result, I end up with a toe waltz. If I pick in more to my left, the jump is slightly more proper and it actually feels easier. I also did a bunch of salchows with a focus on slowing them way the hell down. Finally, loop-loop combos. I'm still flamingo-ing the second loop. He told me to practice them on the floor with a crossed free leg, and I have been, but when I take it to the ice, it's still a flamingo. This is going to take some time.

Spinz - I really should have included some backspins but I really just wasn't in the mood. But I feel like I made some strides with the attitude spin, though! They were mostly centered today and I feel like I had my free leg up where it should be. Sit spins were hit or miss.

Footworkz - I spent a good chunk of my time on footwork. I'm terrified of getting to the competition and stumbling through this so I want to get it to the point where this is the strongest point in my program. I did a lot of those exercises where I do twizzles down the length of the rink. The problem spot in the footwork sequence isn't so much the twizzles but the step forward from the hydroblade move into the twizzle. I feel like I have to twist my body unnaturally coming out of that just to get in a good position for the twizzle. But that exercise actually helped a lot. It feels quite a bit better now.

Programz - After all that work, once I was sufficiently pooped, I ran the program. Guys...I skated a clean program! I landed everything, spins were good, footwork felt great, and I ended on time with the music!!! I think it helped that there were only like five people sharing the ice with me so I didn't have to worry about running into small children who lack situational awareness. I felt strong and, for the first time since we started with this new program, I feel confident that I might just be able to pull this off. I'm a force (eh?) to be reckoned with! There's no stopping me now!