Perseverance

My new job is in north Scottsdale, so I decided to skate the 5:15 FS at Scottsdale.  I realized when I got there that I'd never actually skated a freestyle there, just competitions and dance class.  They seem to be a bit less regimented than they used to be -- the monitors don't tell you what locker rooms to use etc.  I asked and was told that the room the men are supposed to use is not currently available so I could put my skates on rinkside or wherever (I chose rinkside).

The session was somewhat busy, but more importantly there were a lot of younger low-level kids who are not really ice-savvy.  I warmed up a bit, then ran my dramatic program and despite wearing the sash I had a hard time with people not giving me the right of way.  Urph.  I then ran my light program and same issue, so I gave up and just worked on spins and jumps.

Workin' It

I skated the 8:15 FS at Chandler for my FS lesson with Holly, as usual.  I warmed up with stroking, then did some jumps and spins, then ran my dramatic program. Mostly okay, although I chickened out on the bunnyhop. Urgh. I wore my costume shirt (but not pants).

For today's lesson we just worked on refining the program. No last minute additions (yay) but just working it through to refine/improve timing and deal with any unexpected issues.  The main problem right now is that my salchow is being problematic.  I think it's because I'm just generally skating faster, which is great, but the adrenaline tends to make me rush the salchow so it's really bad.  Urgh.  I only did one that was acceptable and the others were generally just bad.  Yuck.

Polishing

My lesson with Holly on the 8:15 FS at Gilbert... okay ice and only 4 skaters today!

I warmed up with laps and then waltz jump, salchow, bunny hop and some spins.  Then I ran my dramatic program... good news is that I did all the elements, bad news is that I finished a few seconds late.  I think I was late coming out of the first spin and never really caught up from there.  Oh well.

Today we worked more on the light program.  Holly had my shirt back from being blinged so I wore it.  The good news is that it works well with the prop, which was a concern.    We ran the program a total of 4 or 5 times.  Holly added back in the arms after the 2nd voiceover.  The 2nd to last time I was waaay ahead, but the last time I ran it I was running a bit behind.  Not sure what's up with that. 

All in all I'm feeling pretty good about it except the salchow.  I only did one okay salchow in the runthroughs (I had a nice one in warmup) and I know it's because my adrenaline is up and I'm rushing.  Need to slow it down and take some time.

Polishing

My lesson today with Holly on the 8:15 FS at Gilbert.  I warmed up with stroking and some jumps, then ran my dramatic program.

Today we worked on polishing the light program.  We ran it several times, and worked on the spin, the bunny hop, and the salchow.  The salchow is being a bit problematic; I assume it's a combination of not skating a lot recently and I'm rushing it.  We also added a pivot at the very end since there was some time and I was literally just standing there, otherwise.

All in all I feel like it's coming along okay, I'm just worried about things coming together before Autumn Antics which is only 3 weeks away.

Also, today, my friend Tanner P. was at the rink videoing me.  He is working on a master's in sports journalism and needed a project, so he is doing a short piece on me for class.  It should be fun, I'll post a link when I have it (probably not for a while).

BO8, BI8

My figures lesson with Danette on the Chandler Ice Café. Due to scheduling issues this is my only figures lesson this month! :-(

I warmed up with edges, FO8, FI8, then worked some of my posture and back edge exercises, then did a quick BO8.

Today's lesson:

• BO8 -- a large chunk of our lesson. We worked a lot on posture, especially on the LBO, to keep turned into the circle with the skating arm back and up.  Ugh.  At one point she had me try just doing a start onto the LBO (instead of the usual RBO). Eeep, that was weird!  Had a lot of problems with that.  
• BI8 -- about 10 minutes.  Posture is better on the BI edges but we worked a bunch on the same point of keeping turned into the circle, and also especially for this, to keep the hips open and look where I'm going.

All in all it was a good workout.  I need to work on being able to hold those basic positions -- going backward on each foot/edge with free foot either in front or tucked behind, and with arms on either side.  

Private Ice!

I skated the 5:30 p.m. FS at Chandler for practice since I had bought it :-) and discovered the other 2 skaters didn't show up... so, private ice!

I took advantage of the opportunity to do some extensive work figuring out some timing on the light program and getting it to flow better.  I ran it a number of times.  I also ran my dramatic once and managed to actually do all the elements -- I did finish a couple of seconds late though.  Eeep.

Polishing

I had an "extra" lesson with Holly this morning to work on the light program.  I had not skated for a week and it was realllly cold in the rink so it took me forever to warm up!

We ran through the program and worked more on the timing.  No changes except that we changed the double bunny hop to just one, and moved it a little later to allow time for the voiceover.  Altogether I think I ran it 4 or 5 times.  It's still pretty rough but the bones are there now.  Lots to do to make it smooth, but I'm getting faster so that's good.

2018 Sherwood Invitational Figures Video

Here's the video (finally) from the Sherwood Invitational. It's one long video.  FO8 at 02:25, FI8 at 04:30, BO8 at 07:04.

Choreo !

My lesson with Holly on the 8:15 FS at Gilbert.  We moved up to Monday as I'm traveling this week for NWP Regionals.  Ice was okay and just 2 skaters, yay!

I warmed up with stroking and a spin and a toe loop, then ran my dramatic program. Mostly okay although I left out the side toe hop and bunny hop. Ugh.

Today's lesson was refining the choreography for my light program. I have what I believe will be the final cut so we had some work to do on timing etc.  We ran it several times and I think it's in good shape, I'm mostly having trouble remembering everything and of course being able to do it with a good tempo (no pauses to think!).  We do need to work on the bunnyhop-bunnyhop as I've been putting that off :p.

I got a really, really good spin the last time I ran it so that made me really happy!