Starting over yet again

The plan for today included me going down to the skate shop to pick up the replacement skates but I got a message from them early in the morning to tell me that the Jackson representative said that it was normal for the hooks to move a bit when you heat mold them. I was assured that the hooks are still stable and the skates are under warranty so if I have problems in the future, they will fix or replace. I wanted to get on a public session to start the process of getting used to new boots and blades but I also don't want to get hurt again so I double checked the stability of the hooks and they seem pretty solid.

I went to the Sport Stable for a one hour public session and had pretty low expectations for my first time out. I started with edges and then worked my way up to some crossovers and field moves. Once things started to feel okay, I did some small waltz jumps and a salchow or two. Here's what I've noticed: I HAVE A ROCKER NOW!!!! So, you know how my spins are super travel-y? They aren't anymore. I have a nice rocker now and I can easily get to it (and stay on it!). Every single one of my spins felt awesome! Another thing I noticed is that my edge jumps feel safe but I'm terrified of toe jumps. I did a toe loop by the boards and took a HUGE chunk out of the ice when I picked in. These cross-cut toe picks are super grabby and it doesn't seem like I need to pick in as hard as I did with my straight-cut picks. This will take some time to get used to. But damn, these skates are nice. I feel FANCY!

I ended up only skating for 45 minutes out of the hour because things started to hurt. Oddly, my injured calf didn't hurt at all but instead, my left leg where the plates and screws are was the area where I felt some pain. I think I need to play around with the lacing to see what's going to give me the support I need without putting too much pressure on that area. Once I get that figured out, I think I'll be in a good place with these skates. I was really expecting my most recent injury to give me grief but it actually felt good today. I've been keeping up with my PT so that's helped.

So, now I need to get signed up on the new contract and get back to my regular practice schedule and lessons. I've been doing a lot of thinking about Sectionals in March and I just don't think I'm going to do it. I think I'm out for the rest of the season (which sadly will result in a DNQ for the Adult Competition Series). This will give me some time to recover, work on getting back to basics, and work on improving skills to get ready for the next competition season. I don't want to push myself like I did over the summer. I was miserable and ended up with an injury. I need to rest my body, mind, and spirit so I can come back even stronger. I want to scrap the Star Wars program and start fresh next season with something new and different. I have a dress, I have music, and I have the desire to kick some ass!

New Skates, Who Dis?

I went to pick up the new boots and blades I ordered before I got injured. They are BEAUTIFUL! I got to the pro shop and my boots were thrown into the oven and, once they were properly toasty, they were put on my feet. However, when they were being laced up, the hooks on the inside of the right boot came loose! The hooks basically popped right out of the holes! Just my luck to get a pair of defective boots! Sad Panda. They were still heat molded and the blades were mounted but a new pair has been ordered. In the meantime, I'll skate around with these (carefully) to get used to the feel of them but I'll be going back on November 15th to do this whole process over again with another pair of boots that aren't falling apart.

So, he mounted the blades and then asked me to get on the ice to see how they feel. Oh boy, was that a terrifying experience! I have not been on the ice in about 6 weeks and I'm still not technically allowed to be skating yet so I was hesitant but I know it's necessary to see how the blades are aligned. I stepped on the ice and, like a beginner on their first public session, I was clutching the wall! Embarrassing! My ankles were so unsteady and my legs were shaking. I'm not sure if it was the fear, the injury, or the new equipment but you would think I've never stepped foot on ice before. Eventually, I was able to do some edges down the blue line and then brave a 3-turn and a mohawk. Man, this is going to be a process!

I stopped half-way through to re-tie. Because I'm going from Reidells to Jacksons, I expected things to feel a bit alien but I did not expect it to feel this....foreign. I know my ankles are supported but the ankle area has a lot more give than my old Reidells so it's a pretty scary feeling. So, I puttered around for about 20 minutes before determining that the blades are mounted well. I'm just going to have to go through an incredible adjustment period.

I don't remember it being so drastic last time but, to be fair, the last time I got new boots and blades was in 2005 in Houston and I was very much a beginner so it's not like I had any skills to lose. Last time, I pretty much went from rentals to real skates so it felt incredible and I was able to do so much more. But now, I'm recovering from an injury and on top of that I'm slapping completely different equipment on my feet. It's a lot to deal with all at once.

So, here are some pictures. I'm sad that these will be replaced with another pair of boots (I'll keep the blades) but I'm happy that I won't be starting out with a defective pair. OH! And he talked me into getting some insoles and holy cow those feel good! I never knew I needed them until he put them in the boots and I slipped my foot in. Like a dream! These are the ones I got. Highly recommend!