Ooof, this morning was a lot! I packed about three hours worth of practice into one hour and I feel like I got some meaningful work done.
Moves - I started on moves right after my warm ups. Since we were just working on the backward circle 8 during our lesson on Monday, I spent some time on that using the theraband to help with my arms. I'm not sure the theraband helps as much on the inside circles as it did for the outside circles but I feel like I'm getting around better on the first inside circle. I still wasn't able to get a strong push on the second inside circle but I know it will come in time. I have to keep reminding myself that this is one of those moves that looks super easy but in reality takes a lot of technique, core strength, and persistence. I'll just need to keep at it. Next, I worked on the backward double 3 turns. I worked on the BI-FO side mostly since it's been a struggle lately trying to get my free leg right. I think I'm finally understanding where to place it and can start working on getting the feel of it. I dabbled in some forward double 3s before moving on to Dance.
Dance - Feeling warmed up enough on edges and turns, I thought working on dance next would be a nice transition. I ran my competition Swing Dance about three times focusing on expression (SMILES!) and making sure the pretty arm movements Christopher gave me were consistent. My first run through was not the best but the next two were pretty good. My goal for this event is not to get first place (because I'm up against some senior level skaters and that's just not going to happen realistically). But, I would like to not place last and it would hella nice if I could place in the top half. I'm working hard to look my best. Next, I ran my "Lifts" Free Dance. I ran it a few times to get timing, extension, and expression up to a level I can be proud of. This program is still not finished being choreographed but hopefully we can finish that up after the competition is done. So far, my biggest struggle with this is the dance spin. It's supposed to be a catch foot camel but I'm having a difficult time grabbing my free foot in time to get the required rotations and finish when I'm supposed to. I'll talk to Christopher about it.
Free Skate - I ran it twice. Both times, I had one little mistake that I don't normally make. The first time it was accidentally leaving out the last step of my choreographic step sequence and, during the second run through, I rushed my salchow and almost biffed it. I need to remember to breathe, take my time, relax into the music, and remember that this is my last time skating this program before I retire it. I need it to shine!
Silver Compulsory Moves - I actually lost count of how many times I ran this. It was the last 10 minutes of the session and I packed as many run throughs as I could in that time. Considering each run through is a minute and a half, that's probably at least 5 run throughs with rest and sips of water in between. It got better the more times I ran it. I'm up against some pretty stiff competition for this event and I'm still pretty new to the Silver level so I'm not expecting first in this event but I would like to get at least one first place ordinal.
I'm pooped. I worked my ass off this morning to fit everything in and I think I made some progress on some things! Like Monday, I had the ice to myself so I could play whatever music I wanted to (it felt like an 80s pop kinda day) and I didn't have to worry about where other people were in relation to me. I'm ready for the competition and I'm feeling better about my skating today than I was on Monday. Hooray!
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