A Minor Set Back :(

July 19, 2013

Tonight was suppose to be an adult skate night and drinks afterwards....was so looking forward to it.  I skated the 6 o'clock session and I have to say that I had a great skate....I did off ice during the week and I went to the rink with a positive mind-set and really took the time to focus on what I had learnt during my lesson this past Monday.

Jumps:
I ran thru a couple of flips jumps and at first they were under rotated, but then I got the flow and landed some nice ones same with my lutz a bit scary but did good.  Loop jumps are improving....better than the 3/4 rotation from last week.  Did some nice waltz/loop jumps with really good height on the loop.  Overall, my jumps are improving slowly but I am happy with my progress.

Spins: 
my back scratch spin began slowly and just trying to focus and remember my techniques that my coach told me to work on...back dbl 3s.  I did however, manage to execute some really nice ones with more that 4 revolutions.  My goal is to keep this momentum going and get it consistent.  Not giving up yet.  Once I have mastered the back scratch spin, my next spin to conquer: the forward fast scratch spin...Hay ya yahee!!!

Then came my nightmare:
Just as the zamboni guy was preparing to enter the ice, I immediately said to myself...."oh shoot its time to get off the ice" with a sense of success and have skated well it just took that one split second and, BAMMM I hit my toe pick and landed flat on my knee and chest.  I remember yelling as I saw my daughter on the other side of the ice and all I can do is lay motionless.  I was out of air for about 2 to 3 seconds....until I realized everyone was asking me if I was okay....all I remember was Mike and Christina carrying me to the bench...to realize that I could not make it to the lobby.....the pain was so severe that it did not hit me until I pulled up my tights. My knee was busted, yep...a hot mess.....I cried like a baby.  My plans to go out for drinks with my skating peeps were canceled :(  Have to follow the RICE method if I want to heal :)

R: Rest
I:  Ice
C: Compression
E:  Elevation

I have to say Thank You ALL those who came to my aid, and Kyle for carrying out to the car.  My daughter works at the RDV as Ice Monitor and her training kicked in....and I have to say she kept me calm and did all the right things to not injury myself even more.

Minor set back:
This indeed is a set back for me since now I have to be off the ice until my knee is fully healed.  Things happen for reasons and I am so glad that I decided not to test in August. Now with this happening there would have been no way I could test - its all for the best.  Recovery will take time, in the mean while just have to rest and take it slow....since my next test session is not till November.   I don't want to loose my focus and my momentum that I had last night but praying that I can get back on the ice soon.

Special thank you to all my wonderful friends for their well wishes and concern....There is a special place in my heart for all of you <3

Things happen for reasons

Happy Skating

Bronze free skate test will have to wait

Though I've been counting the days for my Adult Bronze test and now, with lots of thinking and discussions with my coach,  I have decided not to TEST this coming August I was feeling a bit guilty with myself but as I sit back I am ok with it.  My program is smooth just not 100%, there is just that voice inside me that is telling me to just wait a little bit longer.   I feel that if I take my time and really focus on my spins and getting my loop clean (higher). I don't want to second guess myself with I am skating in front of 4 judges....I want to be one with my music and my performance.

The next test session is in November with will give me a few months to really work hard with my coach and get a good backspin and a fully rotated loop jump.  I know I can do it....my only concern is that if I DON'T pass (which I hope I pass) in November my chances for Adult Nationals 2014 is over :(  then again there is always 2015.  I cant control what I can not grasp.

Adult Bronze Free Skate Test 1.50 min
Spins: Backspin and Sit spin
Jumps: Salcow, Toe and 1 single jump (loop or flip)
Combination jump: Waltz/Toe Loop
all performed with music and connecting moves

Today's lesson:
Had a great lesson today, and my sit spin is way better than my exhibition skate for sure...coach was very pleased with my toe loop and combination jump...yipppy!!! Manage to hit the ice a couple of times but that means I am actually learn something productive.  Coach did put me on the harness and worked on my loop jump trying to get that free leg crossed - now flip jump is another whole other story for another day lol.

These couple of months will be focused on my performance and correcting those bad habits and of course those *chicken legs* that free leg needs to be crossed in front - on my jumps and spins.  They say that bad habits are hard to break....we'll have to see about that.

 "Once you are at peace with your decision is all that matters"
Happy Skating

My First Exhibition

This is truly an honor and I am so excited that will be performing in front of the Learn to Skate and Academy Class next week Tuesday, July 9th.  Some have seen me on the ice during the week practicing and now they can finally see me skate.

Skating is for all ages; young and adult...and I hope that I can inspire them and some adults as well.  Once they can see how amazing the levels of all the skaters, it will give the motivation to continue with their skating and that all is possible with hard work and practice.  This Exhibition is hosted by our club Central Florida Figure Skating and its a way to showcase us skaters and perform our free skate programs as a trial or practice. Also to invite new skaters to become join the Club in the future. Hopefully I will update this post with pictures and video.

Exhibition Recap:
Well, I had decided to skate the 5:00 session for practice before my program, first 1/2 hour was a good skate and should of stop then, but no, I continued to skate and did one run thru of my program and bam!!! caught my toe pick and face planted on the ice. I can say that I was out of breath for a few seconds and realized my knees were in dyer pain I did, however, iced my knees and got off the ice.

Of course there is the should've, could've and would've moments that I tend to really be hard on my self and  take credit when its due.  I was really upset that my sit spin was not what I expected, and not to mention my camel spin - did not have the knee bend and entry that I needed, have to work on some minor habits.....but all in all I skated GREAT!!! and I HAD A GREAT TIME!!!

The best part of all!!
After I skated and towards the end....I had a group of little skaters come to me and tell me "how beautifully I skated" and one told me "I want to skate like you, one day"...then was a little girl told "I love the way your dress twirls on the ice"  These words will always be in my heart for ever!!! This is the reason why I skate...not to be the best but to inspire others and really love and enjoy this sport.

Its the simplest words that means the world to me!!

Happy Skating