Monster Mash ISI Competition Recap

October 22, 2012
I have to say! this weekend was awesome!! I manage to skate my two programs very well. All my skating dresses have been put away and all the hard work really paid off!!! The falls and bruises I sustained these pass couple of months is my badge of honor.  I will never trade it for anything else...keep skating and don't stop.

Competition Recap:
Decisions:
Coach decided to take out my flip jump because its was under-rotated.  I have to admit that when she first told me that, I felt like a knot on my throat.  I said to myself, "I worked so hard to get this jump and now I can't skate it in my program"  We sat down and she explained to me how it works: 1. If she would have left it in, it would have gotten marked down with deductions. 2. We substituted with a jump sequence right after a spiral. Why?  well, you'll get more points for the execution of the combination and doing it from a spiral edge.

Overall it was the best decision - I skated well and I didn't have to worry about not landing my flip. Sometimes, its in the back of your head and there is like a mental fear just when you're approaching your  entry....its a terrible feeling when you have to rethink yourself:  Its the "should I? or should I not do the jump"?

Sunday, October 21, 2012
Open Silver Program:
Happy that my blades did smile on me today! There was some little mistakes but I can work on them.
I skated my artistic program yesterday and I must say it was so beautiful to skate to that song "I get chills just listening to it" yet alone to skate to it.  I got first place!! I loved every minute of it.  I receive lots of compliments on my dresses.

 It was so nice to be around all my skating friends and watch them skate cheer them on.  Everyone did an awesome job!! and had a great time, the outfits/costumes were stunning as always.

Saturday, October 20th 6:02 pm
Artistic Program: First Place
Free Style 4
Program 1.30 min
Music: At last by Etta James

Artistic Program

Sunday, October 21st 10:30 am

Open Silver Free Style
Level 4
Program: 2.0 min
Music: The feeling begins by Peter Gabriel

Open Sliver Free Style 4 

Skate to the Book:
 I did however, skate against the book but it doesn't mean that you'll get "first place".  The judges will take your program apart and they will determine if you earned first place.

Judges Criteria:
1. Correctness
2. Variety of moves
3. Choreography and Pattern of the program
4. Music interpretation, Posture and  Presentation.

Sometimes making a decision that maybe you might not agree, it is for the best!! and  I am so glad that we did.  To have a great coach that looks out for you and your performance is a blessing.  Always listen to your coach, whether you might think you want and can do an element, your coach knows and understands how the judging system works.  I know she made the right decision for me and my skate.  Thank you Coach Lynn.

Happy Skating

What is up with these blades?

October 12, 2012

Today's Skating Session Recap:
I am happy to report that finally my blades are cooperating.  It was a bit frustrating for the past couple of days, and to be honest at one point I felt like crying.  Well, simply because I've practiced all summer and came so far to have this issue happen.  I guess it comes with the territory eventually you'll have to upgrade to new boot and/or blades in some point in time.

I did have a good skate and did something that a friend and an amazing skater advised me to  this technique; to try and help me get the proper feel of my blades to achieve that "sweet spot"  I will continue skating next week and focus on my upper body core and balance, it so important.  To think a change of 1/4" inch made such a huge difference in my skating.  It has taught me that I have listen to my skating!!

On a short note:
Thank you all my skating peeps who always give such great advice when it comes to my skating.

Quote of the day:
"If you have a different blade, skate backwards and slightly go on your toes where you can feel exactly how much more close or far away your toe pick is compared to old blades" by BJones

Happy Skating

October 9, 2012

On a short note:
Practice session went pretty well today - did my run through of both programs and I must say I am totally out of shape - what? even though I skate? yes, I do off ice and still I am out of shape.  Skated my 2.0 min program and I was completely out of breath. What can I do to improve on my breathing?  Help?

What is wrong with me or these blades?
It has been two weeks now that I decided to purchase some used skates and blades from my coach.  Was it a mistake? No, I don't think so, I really love my Harlicks (which I did not pay $700 for) and I can say that about these darn blades (John Wilson Coronation Ace) I was told by Coach Brian that these are "really good" blades but some how they don't like me or I don't like them!!!

FYI:
I found after 3 1/2 years of skating 1. I was skating with the wrong size boot and 2. the wrong size blade 9 1/2 as oppose to 9 1/4 inch blade.  How did I manage to skate I don't know.  So here I am with 9 1/4 blade and it seems very difficult to get use to short blades.  I have noticed that my sit and camel spins are really bad, cannot seem to get my center on my ball - guess because I was so use to skating with a larger blade.  However, I have noticed a smoother glide on my edges and definitely improved on my jumps, it's just the spins that is actually hindering my skating especially with a competition coming up next week  eeekkkk!

Quote of the day:
A good friend and a coach told me "pay extra attention to what feels right"  She tells her students and myself to do this "go to the boards and find the blades "sweet spot" that smooth spinning spot.  "Press on toward the front and slowly turn from side to side until it feels like a knife cutting through butter" by CP

It is very important whether you're are just learning to spin or just changed blades this is a learning process for me because this is my very first time with new blades.  I am definitely trying this technique at my next session.  You yourself know your body and your skating, listen to your skating you know what sounds right and something is not right.  Don't hesitate to talk to others or your coach there might be something that might need adjusting.  My coach told me that If I continue with this issue, my blade might need to be adjusted.

Happy Skating!!

Competing this season!!

Today's Practice:
I must say that my lesson today was a productive one. Worked on MIF for the next upcoming test session and worked on program(s) for competition.  I've been working and training since summer, and I feel I am ready, there is some areas that I can work on but some how my coach is debating whether I should test or not this time around or is she just trying to push me to work harder, hmmm maybe?.  I should go for it whether I pass or re-test!! - it will be a learning experience and will help me to work on what needs correcting.
Question: How would we know where we are lacking if we don't take that chance and go for it?

First Season Competition:
YES, I decided to face my fears and admit to myself that its okay if I had a bad skate this year!! I can't seem to understand why I am so hard on myself.  Doesn't mean I am a bad skater and sometimes we have our days. Even the best of best elite skaters have bad days and not so good competition outcome.  It doesn't define who or what kind of skater I am, simply to analyze my performance and focus on what is lacking. I am hoping that with summer practices will surface at this upcoming competition.  I won't set my expectations high, just in case - I will skate and do my very best and move on "Que sera, sera"

 My friend quoted this "If you give it your all and do your

 best, your best is always the best" by SMD. 

Artistic:
My music is from Etta James "At Last" I am skating this piece for my hubby.  I hoping and praying that he comes and see me skate, oh yes!! he doesn't like coming to the rink and sit for hours, it not his cup of tea.  He rather pay and see it on video, but this one special one for me.  However, if this program turns out to be a good one its a keeper for Adult Eastern Sectional 2013!

Happy Skating