Perseverance

I skated the 8:15 FS this morning at Chandler. Uncrowded session but but ice was pretty bumpy and not so great. My buddy Jose was there and also a couple of other skaters I know so that was nice.

I worked half an hour on moves and half an hour on FS. For moves I spent some quality time on my 3s, working to have more control. It seems to take me several times before I can hold that FO edge before the FO3. Grrr. BXOs and FXOs were pretty good though. I'm really pleased with the pattern on the FXO perimeter stroking although I need more power.

For freestyle I worked on spins, salchow and toe loop. For toe loop I practice the RFI3 into back pivot and this is actually doable for me now (it didn't used to be). I'm pretty pleased with that. Salchow... I'm jumping at the right point, usually, but it's very rough and I don't feel a sense of timing about it yet. Spins -- not so great. Best I did was 2 revs; although I am doing a better job of hanging in with it so that is something.

This was my first week "back in the saddle" of what I'm thinking will be my routine. I skated 4 times (only 3.5 hrs though). It doesn't feel like nearly enough though. In particular I think I need at least a full hour per week of patch practice outside of lessons, and another hour of FS; good ice for patch is harder to find. I may get some time in at publics on the weekend but I don't want to count on that. I'll have to give it some thought. I am not skating Thursdays right now so that is one possibility. I need to make time to get to the gym too though.