Peak Effort

 No lesson today so I had the entire hour to practice. I dedicated about 15-20 minutes to each thing and I feel like I made progress on some things. 

Movez - I used most of my moves as a warm-up and focused much of my energy on the backward 3 turns. My FO-BI turns got run a few times and those are mostly okay. Only a foot down randomly when I was distracted by people skating too close. The FI-BO is getting better although I still don't have the LBO turn. I spent some time at the boards trying to make the turn happen with a forward glide out. I think it's especially concerning that I am not really getting the turn to happen at the boards either. Like, is my anatomy preventing me from doing this? I'm so incredibly frustrated with this because Christopher and I have literally tried everything. Ugh. 

Spinz - During our previous lesson, Christopher told me he would like for me to do spin entry drills (at least five each session) down the blue line so I started out with these before moving into the center circle to work on spins from the wind up. I was able to get one camel spin that had an extra revolution and that was only because I tried the entry with as much power as I could muster (which admittedly isn't all that much). But hey, progress. I worked on backspins for a bit to prepare me for the Axel preps later in my practice. 

Jumpz - I started with the easy jumps (waltz, toe loop, Salchow, loop) and worked my way up to the more difficult ones (flip, Lutz, Axel, and combos). With my waltz jumps in particular I tried to stay more aware of lifting up and making an "h" with my free leg and really feeling the kick out on the landing. I then spent some time (okay, quite a bit of time, actually) at the blue line working on those preps. I was finally able to get a few where I landed and did the backspin but I only got one rev on the backspin and my free foot still wasn't crossed. I know this is a journey, though, and it's not all going to happen when I want it to. Still, the Axel jump is all I can think about now. I'm obsessed! My flip jumps are feeling better every day although they are still not exactly where I want them to be. But, more and more, I'm feeling when they are right versus when they are not so there's that. Lutz jumps were just not happening. I wasn't really feeling the outside edge on the entry and I didn't get any that were fully rotated. This is still a new jump for me so it needs a lot more time. 

Programz - I didn't run the whole thing but spot checked areas that I need improvement on - the flip jump into the camel combo and the step sequence. 

I worked my ass off today and my Fit Bit recorded proof of my efforts. It was almost an entire hour at peak cardio. I was pooped!

Axel Journey Begins

 Lesson today! We really only worked on two things: spin entries and....AXEL!!!!

Spinz - On the blue line. Over and over and over again. I never seem to hold the entry edge to my spins long enough and that is part of the problem I have when it comes to centering a spin well. So we did plenty of exercises where I start at the blue line and just hold hold hold that entry edge until it hooks on its own rather than forcing the hook to happen like I usually do. We did regular one foot spins, camels, and the dreaded sit spin. It's so much more difficult doing spins from a standstill but if I can do it well here, then my spins from a windup will be so much better. 

Axelz - After torturing me with spins on the blue line he asked to see some jumps. I asked what he would like to see thinking he would want to look at my flip jumps per usual. But I was totally taken aback when he said "let's do Axels." WHAT?! I had to ask him again because I thought I misheard him but yeah, Axels! So, back to the blue line to start some Axel preps! We worked on what the entry should look like with my arms and free leg back and then we talked about the snap. On the blue line, we worked on a waltz jump into a backspin and he said once I master this, he'll move me into the harness. About three months ago when I was getting better with my flip jumps, I put my padded shorts into retirement but I think I'll need to dig them back out again. I know with Axels, you need to be willing to throw yourself and be ready to take some spills in the process. I'm really not looking forward to the hurt of it all but I'm SO HAPPY that I have started this process! 

I'm usually pretty motivated in my practices but now I have this goal that I've wanted to achieve since my first glide on ice so I'm extra motivated to work my ass off for this. My initial goal was "Axel by 50" and for all I know it may just take me 9 years to finally get it so I'm glad we are starting now. AHHHGHG, this is so exciting! This feels better than all of the gold medals in the world!

The Aftermath

 Lesson scheduled for today (my first since the competition). I'm really thankful that we didn't talk about what happened on Saturday when our lesson started. I'm...embarrassed to talk about it? The more I think about how I skated the more I feel like I really didn't deserve my placement. The fact that I royally screwed up the camel spin combo and just did a one foot spin instead really bothers me. Today, I just wanted to focus on making things right. 

Before we got started though he spoke to me about the Fort Collins Fright Fest. This competition was just listed as part of the Adult Competition Series and I'm ready to register. However, Christopher will be out of town that weekend so that puts a kink in things. He said I could borrow a coach and he can make some calls and put me in touch with someone but since I know that my good friend Kim is also skating at the competition and her coach will be there anyway, why not get in touch with her? So I'll be reaching out to Coach Katie Holmes (seriously, that's her name) to ask if she would be willing to put me on the ice on October 25th. I'm also going to see if I can schedule a lesson with her beforehand so she knows what kind of a mess to expect, lol. Kim says she introduced me to Coach Katie the last time we skated together up in Fort Collins but that was forever ago and I don't even remember that happening. Maybe she'll remember me :) 

Movez - I confessed to Christopher that my Silver Moves have taken a backseat as I was preparing for the competition so that's all we did today. And, as a special kind of torture, we worked on the moves that are the most challenging for me (the Backward 3 turns and the forward power pulls). It's really frustrating that after an entire year of working on the back 3s, I still can't make the LBO turn happen. It is the only one of the four that won't go. So we spent the majority of the time on just that. It's not like I'm scared of the thing, it's just that I can't get it to go. When I look at the tracings it almost looks like the hook from a loop jump so clearly I'm on the wrong part of my blade. I've always had problems with my left leg since it's full of metal and screws and I feel like this might be part of the problem. It's not like I'm not trying though and that's why I'm so frustrated. Ugh. 

Practicez - After my lesson, I had some time to work on things so I spent a good chunk of time working on the two weakest elements from my program - the flip jump and the camel combo. I did some okay spins where I felt like I was better aligned and my flip jumps felt okay too. I also did a whole bunch of twizzles down the length of the rink because I tripped out of them when I skated the competition this past Saturday. I'm determined to skate a clean program in October! I want to feel like I earned my medal even if I don't get gold!

2020 Colorado Springs Invitational

Well, it's done! Before I tell you how I did, I'm going to bore you to death with all of the details. 

Overall experience - Ugh, it was weird and didn't really feel like a competition. Usually there is a buzz of excitement and hugs when you see your fellow competitors whom you haven't seen since last year. There was none of that! It was a series of check-ins at different places, the awkwardness of putting your skates on in a parking lot behind the rink, and then waiting to be called in while standing out in the 40 degree cold (although at one point my husband, my coach, and myself sat in the car with the heat on biding our time). I didn't have a chance to get excited or pumped up or get my adrenaline going. It was all just...meh. I mean, I'm thankful that the competition happened at all given the current state of public health but I still felt cheated out of the typical exciting competition experience. Sigh. 

Warm up - I signed up for a 15 minute warm up session during which I practiced all of my elements and discovered that they all had pretty much left me. Yikes! Not the best feeling right before I skate my program but it is what it is. Christopher did his best to keep me from panicking about it. 

Performance - I was the second skater to go on and oddly, I felt less panicky than I did in the warm up. I landed the first combination jump just fine (loop-toe loop) and then set up for a pretty spiral into a flip jump (which I landed! First flip jump landed in competition WOOOOT!). However, the camel combination spin did not go as planned. I think I was a little too far forward and I lost the camel. Quick thinking had me reverting to a basic one foot spin to fill the time. Next up was the choreographic step sequence which went well until I got a little too far forward on the twizzle. I recovered and did not fall (whew!). The rest of the program was lovely! My salchow was nice, the final loop jump was great, and the final scratch spin was nicely centered with arms overhead. So really, the two mistakes (the camel and the twizzle) had me feeling like I didn't achieve my goal - to skate a program I can be proud of. I got lots of complements on my overall skating and gracefulness and one person even commented on how calm I was (both my coach and I laughed at that because we know how freaking panicked I get). The other adults in my group skated their asses off such that I really thought there was no way to tell who should get first. I guess the judges thought so as well because....

THERE WAS A THREE-WAY TIE FOR FIRST! 

So, myself and two others had the honor of sharing GOLD! So yeah, I got gold but it doesn't feel like a genuine gold medal winning performance. The twizzle mistake was a fluke as I usually get it right during practice but I know my camel combo spin needs some more time to cook. I have another five or so weeks until my next competition so I am going to go full out working on this spin to get it closer to where it needs to be. 

Because of COVID, the vendor who does the videography for the competition didn't have a tent set up to sell videos and action photos. Instead, I have to wait about a week to purchase online. Once that happens, I'll go ahead and post it here. 

P.S. - I landed a flip jump in competition, guys!!! Like, this is kind of a big deal for me given how much this one particular jump has haunted me over the past 2-3 years. The technique was still a bit sloppy but I LANDED IT! IN COMPETITION! WHAT!? AHGHGHGHGHGh!

Stable Practice

Yeah, I went to the Sport Stable again. The rinks are closed on Monday for Labor Day and I didn't want to miss a practice so I cancelled my Sunday morning Pilates class and went to skate at the Sport Stable instead. It was fun, actually, because so many people from my rink were there and I got to meet one of the lovely ladies I'll be competing with this weekend. 

I mostly spent my time focusing on two crucial elements - my camel combo spin and the flip jump. 

Camelz - When I make a conscious effort to remember all of the small details that go into this spin, it comes off really nicely. If I just wing it, however, disaster ensues. So, for each spin I made sure I lead with my left arm, held that entrance, and bent at the waist. I was able to get quite a few that were nice. 

Flipz - Again, when I channel my inner Christopher and remember all of the little details, I get a nice flip jump. The main thing to remember is to look at my left arm in front of me just before liftoff. This ensures I don't rotate prematurely and it kind of slows me down too. When I did this today, I had some decent flips. 

Programz - I felt weird running my program with my competition on the ice so I decided I would only run it if she ran hers first. I don't know why I felt weird about it but I did. Thankfully, she ran her program so I felt less weird about plugging my phone in and playing my music. All went well except the spin combo (of course). I actually got applause when I finished and a compliment from another adult skater that it was really pretty. That helped me feel a little better about the botched spin. Hopefully, I got all the suck out of my system and I'll get a nice spin on Saturday when it matters most. 

Competitionz - I got the schedule for Saturday and it's super detailed, like minute by minute detailed of where I need to be and when. Crazy. I also got my skating order - I'm second skater out of five. Not desirable but I'll make do. I can look at it this way: if I'm at the beginning of our group I have the opportunity to leave a great first impression and set the bar high. I have one more practice this coming Friday and it will be my dress rehearsal. I'll be without Christopher since he'll be down in Colorado Springs with his other students so I'll be on my own. My last lesson with him was a good one and as long as I just remember all of the things he told me, I'll be fine. I just need to trust my training :)

From Zero to Hero

 It's getting down to the wire and I don't have many days left before the competition next week so I went back to the Sport Stable (ugh) for a 2 hour session. My main goal was to work on Moves, spins, and flip jumps.

Thursdayz - This was Sport Stable day and it was a disaster. I fell on EVERYTHING! It was weird. I was falling on pretty much every single jump, even the easy ones like salchow and loop. I could not center a spin to save my life. Basically, it was embarrassing. One of my adult skate buddies that I regularly train with (she's also a student of Christopher's) was there and pretty much asked if I was okay? She said something along the lines of "I see you land these jumps all the time, what's up?" I went through the whole session thinking I was just having a mental block about being at the Sport Stable. It wasn't until I got off the ice and looked at my skates that I saw the problem. I had deliberately tied my right boot (my landing leg) looser than usual because the ankle pain started up again. Normally, I can just deal with the pain on a one hour session but this was a two hour session and I didn't want my ankle to fall off so I tied it tight enough to give support but loose around the part where my ankle hurts. I must have tied it too loose and I'm really surprised I didn't figure out that this was the reason I couldn't land a jump. I felt so dumb. I essentially wasted an entire session because I couldn't complete any skills with a loose boot. Stupid. But...I did feel better knowing that it wasn't me as a skater who sucked and that it was just me the dumbass who laced her boot too loose. 

Fridayz - This was lesson day and I made sure I was laced up properly. It was one of the better lessons I've had in a while and now I'm feeling a little extra confident going into the competition next week. We started off looking at spins. He emphasized the long edge on the step forward into the spin and how I need to lean forward more (basically I should be bent enough that I could hold a dollar bill in the crease where my thigh meets my torso). I asked him if I should have a Plan B spin in case I mess up the combo spin right off the bat. His answer: there is no Plan B, just do the spin correctly the first time. Nice. We then moved on to flip jumps. When I remember all the things I'm supposed to remember, I can do a nice flip jump with good technique. In fact, I had one where I got an audible "YESSS!" from Christopher. The difference was I picked in farther behind me, had a longer draw, and kept my chest up. It felt really good! Yay! Finally, we ran the program and besides someone spinning where I was supposed to do my final loop jump it went well. I was still able to do the loop, I just had to skate around her first. It was mostly clean. The combo spin was better than it usually is but it still could have been better. Even still, I felt good about it. 

Monday is my last lesson with Christopher before the competition so it will be my "dress rehearsal." I'm excited to get to wear my dress but I'm worried about the weight of it. I added a lot of stones and the dress feels heavy to me. I don't think it will affect my jumps too much but this is the heaviest dress I've skated in so we'll see. Then I practice on Friday (the day before I compete) and I've designated that as my "relax day." I will focus on moves, spins, flips, and run my program one time but I'm not going to stress about anything if it goes wrong. When I get home, I'm going to make some tea and read. I'm not going to obsess. I've trained for this and I'm ready and no amount of fretting will change things.