Fear Factor

I had my lesson today in my normal timeslot on the 8:15 FS. Unlike the last few times I've skated this session, it was a little more crowded -- 6 of us. Still, quite workable.

I did my off-ice jumping before my lesson; between one thing and another (work schedule, being sick, travel), I'd not done them in a while. It takes me 3 or 4 times before the jump checkout looks more or less okay, so clearly I need to work on these a lot more.

Before my lesson Sonya mentioned to me that there is an ISI competition coming up. We talked briefly about ISI and USFSA, competitions and testing. I don't really want to compete right now, I want to stay focused on getting these darn MITF done and tested. To be honest, I feel that if I don't have that stuff in testable shape I would just embarrass myself at a competition anyway. Sonya said I could do ISI or some USFSA competitions next spring if I want. I told her we should talk about it more.

I told Sonya that I needed to get through some fear issues I've been fighting, so we worked on 'em. Today's lesson:

• Cross and hold -- just working on the CW cross and hold for FXOs (so, that's left over right). We went back first to working them at the boards, then on the ice without moving, then moving at a slow glide. A lot of improvement and I feel much, much better about it. It is still a little scary but I think I can at least have some way to practice, so that I can have some hope of making progress.
  
• LFI3 -- my other nemesis. Not as much progress on these as the cross & hold. Sonya had me start out pre-rotated and focus on having the free leg out and behind before the turn to help push through the turn. I thought this was cheating, but apparently not (or maybe just "okay for now"). Sonya told me to try to feel some tension between the R leg and R hand coming out of the turn to get some check, which I'm woefully lacking on these (on the positive side I can practically start a backspin this way -- maybe I should practice that!).
  
• Waltz-8 -- having accomplished all that, I mentioned that we had left out waltz-8 when we were working on the APB Moves last time... so on we went. These are looking a lot bettter. I'm still placing the 3 a bit too early; we also looked at holding the second edge longer. The step forward is a lot, lot better, so yay me!
  

After my lesson Sonya mentioned that they will be doing a holiday show at the rink in December sometime. She thinks the practices will be Wednesday evenings some time. That might be problematic since I have choir practice then; we'll have to see. I told her I might be interested in a group number, but no solos! I'm not ready for that.

I met another adult skater today, Jeannie. She is taking lessons from Jan like a number of other folks I've talked to, and seems quite nice.