2020 Goal Post

Happy New Year! w00t!!!!

Ok, now down to business! Before I set some new goals for 2020, let's review the goals I set for myself in 2019 (Spoiler Alert: I achieved 3/4 of them...meh).

2019 Goalz - The first of my goals was to take both my Bronze MIF and Bronze FS tests (and pass them). Although I did really well with the Moves test, I barely passed the Freeskate. Luckily I was allowed a reskate on two elements and I did those well for a pass but....geez, it almost didn't happen. So yeah, I achieved the goal but it wasn't the feel good kinda of win that I wanted. The second goal was to start learning Silver MIF and FS. I have really been focusing on Silver Moves in particular lately and dedicating some serious time to some of my weaker FS elements like the Flip jump and the backspin. Goal achieved! The third skating goal was to compete in 2 or 3 competitions. I competed at Midwestern Sectionals in March and then in September I was back at the Colorado Springs Invitational. I made the podium for all of my events at both competitions so I think I can consider this goal achieved as well. Finally, I set a fitness goal for myself that I think might have been a bit too ambitious. The goal was to improve my flexibility by stretching more and eventually achieve full splits. At one point toward the beginning of September, I almost got there. I was taking ballet classes and that helped a lot but then I tore my right calf muscle and any bendiness I had gained quickly retreated as I pretty much sat around and did nothing for 7 weeks while I recovered. Boo.

Overall, I did well with my skating and I have noticed progress over this past year. But, something happened with me mentally toward the end of the summer where I was starting to get really burnt out and starting to overthink things more than usual. It was bad enough that I felt like I needed to visit a therapist friend to figure out where all the skating stress was coming from. I ended up pushing and pushing myself so hard to get out of the funk that I ended up with an injury. But I learned a lot from that whole experience. I learned that it's okay to set standards and push for progress but it's also okay to take a time out and step away for a bit if I find that it's becoming unhealthy. So, when it came time to set this year's goals, I tried to be mindful of falling into the "success at all costs" trap. So, here we go...

On Ice and Off Ice Goalz for 2020!!!!

On Ice Goal 1: Continue working on Silver Moves and get them "test ready" by the end of the year. I would like to test in early 2021 so that gives me plenty of time.

On Ice Goal 2: Get a proper backspin with at least three revs (by "proper" I mean it should be in the cross-legged position). It's insane how long I've been working on this but I've had some breakthroughs lately in practice and I think this is a do-able goal now. Ultimately, it would be neat to put a change-foot spin in one of my programs.

On Ice Goal 3: Compete! I'm not setting a number because I don't want to put that kind of pressure on myself. If I compete once, cool. If I compete thrice, that's cool too. The point is to get out there and compete for the fun of it and not let the pressure of it all push me toward injury again. In fact, I'm taking the rest of this season off. Yup, I'm bowing out. I'll compete again for the 2020-21 season.

And, since the "Skate Forever Strong Challenge" started today, I'm including 3 off ice goals so I can complete an additional box in my Bingo Card (I'm kinda bummed that they are not doing a steps challenge this year. Alas). 

Off Ice Goal 1: Run an uninterrupted mile. My lungs suck and, as a result, my stamina is complete trash. I want to improve that a little! I live right next to a running track so there is really no excuse to not get out there and run a bit. I was running before skate sessions but now other skaters have started running above the stands too and, honestly? They are young and can run forever. I'm too embarrassed to run with them. So I'll run on the track! By myself. So nobody can judge how slow I am.

Off Ice Goal 2: Track my fitness progress beyond just steps. I bought a FitBit Inspire HR and I have a "FitBit for Dummies" book sitting on my coffee table right now. I think being able to connect with other FitBit users and complete challenges will also help keep me accountable. Besides, it will be nice to keep track of steps without having to take my phone with me everywhere. It will also be interesting to see how my skating translates into actual fitness data.

Off Ice Goal 3: Return to ballet. I stopped when I got injured but I liked it a lot and I miss it. I'm conflicted about whether or not I'll go back to my old studio, though. Their "adult beginner" class was filled with actual ballerinas on pointe and adults returning to ballet who clearly know what they are doing. I would like to find an actual beginners class. If I can't, I can just YouTube some ballet classes. It really helped my core strength and I feel like I have more elegant arms now but I hated that I felt so lost in every class. Plus, Christopher has already asked me if I'm going to go back. I can take a hint. I need it, I know. I'll go back but I need to find the right environment.

So, yay for being (and staying) healthy both in body and in mind. I think I started to take things too seriously and lost the joy of performing and being on the ice. I'm reclaiming that this year :)