Super Early AM Lesson

I couldn't skate on Monday due to a library staff training day so we rescheduled for this morning at 6:15am. Ew. I don't mind skating in the morning but I haven't done a morning session at the Promenade since probably before the pandemic. 

I had a brief warm up on ice before my lesson started and I tried to fit in as much as I could including Gold Moves, jumps, spins, and footwork. I didn't get very far before Christopher got on the ice. It's a 45 minute session and I usually do a 40 minute lesson. Luckily, he was smidge late so I was able to fit the warm-up in.  

Lesson - We started with the Backward Circle 8. Ok, here's the thing...it's been a year of working on this and I'm finally making it around on all of the circles. My arms are flail-y and the circles are small but I'm doing it. Now, I need more power in my pushes (they get progressively weaker with each push) and I need to expand my circles. So, we spent some time working on those two things specifically. My first circle is my strongest so if I can get a really strong push there, the momentum from that might help carry me through the weaker pushes. Next up were spins. Still working on the entry to my camel to keep my chest up and my left arm in the lead. I also need to work on leading with the left shoulder as well. When I do this, things look a lot better. We dabbled in some sit spins. Same thing - lead with the left and really focus on the entry edge. I had one really nice one so we moved on from there. Flips and Lutzs were on the menu this morning. Lots of time with these but not sure if improvement was made. These will forever be a headache for me. 

Janet Champion Spin Clinic - Our club is hosting Janet Champion once more, this time for a spin clinic. Eight hours of spins. Woot! I signed up right away. 

Fort Collins Fright Fest - It's not in the cards for me this year. I hemmed. I hawed. I ultimately decided that as much I love the medals from this particular competition, I don't want to push myself to make it happen when I'm still trying to take it easy. I just don't want the pressure right now. I probably shouldn't be doing the spin clinic either but I NEED help with my spins. A trip to the ER a couple of weeks ago and a doctor's follow up visit last week showed the cause of my back problems and, although it wasn't what I expected, it's not entirely surprising. I'm scheduled for surgery soon and recovery from that will take me off the ice for the rest of the year. In the meantime, I do what I can and rest in between. Sigh.