Clear To Skate

So happy I got the clear to skate and been off my boot for almost 2 weeks!!

Today is Sunday, December 18 2016:
Took the leap of faith and hit the ice - without looking back.  The last time I skated was October 4, 2016.

I managed to skate very well, but I have to admit that just driving to the rink my hands were sweating.  Was a bit hesitate because I thought my boots were going to hurt foot, but I was fine. Stroking around the rink to warm up and get my legs under the ice.

My jumps and sit spin were pretty decent considering, looking forward to more practice.  Had so much fun and even though I did not skate the entire hour - it was awesome!!

Hoping that 2017 will be a great year for me and I have a new perspective and goals for next year and will keep on going.

Loop and Flip Jump Practice 2017

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

No Skating Today

For the past 8 1/2 years I've been skating, I skate on my birthday!  Yes, today is my birthday (Nov 28th) I am sadden that I can't skate today, but it's all for good reasons (foot injury non-skating related).

Hope that as weeks pass and can heal, and maybe skate just stroking around the rink, then hopefully by January I can begin my training again.  Like the saying says; "everything happens for a reason"

Happy Skating

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

What's Next

Well, it's been awhile, since I posted.  Wanted to just say THANK YOU to all my readers and followers for keeping up with me throughout the years.

What's next for me?  

Back in September/October I was really working hard trying to get back on track and getting few lessons here and there, getting my free skate program ready for testing.  Unfortunately, I decided not go ahead and test this session that passed 2 weeks ago.  It was a hard decision, but a good one for me, I felt that my program was not "test ready" for me and my coach....even though I wanted to test the waters and just see what the judges had to say but I had a change of heart and save my money and test next March.

Start the Healing: 

Left foot injury.... :(  2 tendon injury (non-skating related) at least it's not that serious, however, I am on a boot for stability.  Once I can get my foot healed, I can start my training again....slowly but surely.  

Gaining back my confidence:

Since being on an off the ice this whole year (due to health issues) it has really impacted my confidence in my skating.  How to break this is a true challenge for me moving forward. 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

Happy Skating

Back in the swing of things

Hey, Everyone!!

Excited that finally I am getting back to the swing of things and focusing now on getting my skating in order.  It's been awhile since I skated and now I am looking forward to great skating.

I had a practice session with my coach and a test run of my free skate test and got a chance to try my dress that I will be wearing for my test.  It's a design that I created that goes perfect with my music from the movie "Scent of A Woman" Por Una Caveza.  It's a lovely piece of music and I have to say when coach put the music on I got chills - love love my program and my dress :>.

I was so nervous before getting on the ice, but after a few stroking around and got the ice under me, it was great all the way.  There was a few mishaps because other skaters were in my way but I manage to skate well but best of all, I did not have any malfunctions, yeah!!

Coach has tweaked my footwork and told me to work on my spins and exit on my loop jump.  All in good time, I will work hard and diligently til my next test in November.

I will say this; "no matter what the outcome when I test, it's okay, I will take it as a learning experience and not as a failure - no matter what the judges say, I will work on it and make the best of it"  But, I am keeping positive and hoping for the good things.

Happy Skating

Still trucking along with my skating

I am back and still trucking along - not giving up yet.

Despite my hospital stay the first week of July (non skating related) has put my skating on holt.  I was doing pretty good before then but now it is a step back for me.

On July 29, 2016
I skated yesterday and my skating was okay, but to be quite honest it was not as bad as I thought.  My jumps and spins really needs work but with some more practice (maybe 2x week) I can get back on track.

There is a test session in at my rink in August, but I am not ready to take that chance, there is another test session in September (at another rink), but I am debating to do it.
1. price is double and 1/2 the fee.
2. Its way far from where I live, which means I will have to stay in a hotel.
3. Do I really need to test right now? only giving myself a few weeks to train...not sure what to do.

Coach said we can work on it - but now I am really thinking about, the next test at my rink is in November (the last one for the year) my goal is to test so I can compete at AN 2017.

I am not giving up, everything happens for a reason, and I just have to take my time and follow my gut instinct.

Here is a video of my skating yesterday:

No matter how hard it is right now, never give up on your dreams!!

Happy Skating

Let the challenge begin

Skated yesterday had a nice  practice session....though I am still a bit nervous and apprehensive when I work on jumps...but I guess it's my inner voice taunting me lol.  I noticed that I don't feel much pain when I did my spins - now I can focus on getting that spin consistent.

I did work on my single jumps on my own (without coach) and I have to say it when pretty well. Here is my video of my loop jump (after a gazillion tries) this one is video worthy.  I have come to the realization that me trying to do a loop jump from a "traditional" is not in my books anytime soon.  I feel most confident with this entry - forward inside 3 turn.  I now have to work on getting more height which in time it will happen.  Looking forward to my lesson this week!!!

Happy Skating!!!

First lesson for 2016

Friday May 20, 2016

Had my first lesson for this year - since last year actually.  I have to say I was so nervous and worried since I had surgery last month April, but had the clear from my doctor.  It all turned out nice, my coach is amazing - she took it slow and worked out a plan to getting me back on track - one week at a time.

Going back to basics:

In figure skating no matter what level - when there is a long absence, it is always wise to start slow and back to basics:  cross overs, mohawks, 3 turns and edges.   Coach told me "okay Diana, we are going back to Beta techniques" wow, really?  But guess what?  that really help me tremendously, it got my heart pumping and my skates on the ice for sure.

Attempted Spin:  well I tried to do a forward spins and I have to say that - I was so embarrassed because it was an epic FAIL = this is something I have to work on for sure.  Coach said its because I was not skating consistently, as I should but it will come back with practice.

Single Jumps:  she decided to let me try 2 jumps waltz jump and a salcow.  My first waltz jump was small, then she had me do a few more and the last one was AMAZING - coach could not believe the distance and height from that jump (axels) woot woot.  Then my salcow, it was good but not as they should be, this is my favorite jump. 

Overall, it was a great lesson and I am looking forward to more....getting myself ready for my goals this summer and hoping to test in the future. 

Happy Skating

Never practice on an empty stomach

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Decided to make the early morning practice and rushed out of the house to skate the 10:00 a.m. session (was late about 15 min) which means I skipped my breakfast, not that I am a breakfast person, but its doctors orders.

I skated pretty well considering my last practice was last month.  I had my stand in coach aka my daughter (amazing skater) to coach me and must say I did pretty darn well.  My loop jumps are much higher and my sit spins and back spin are test ready, woot woot.  Now to make it work in my program consistent.

Worked on my free skate program (test).  What I find easy for me is to break it down into 3 parts and went well.  Decided to change my toe loop to the opposite side of the rink and changed my loop jump before my foot work.  Now I am feeling confident with my program and its looking good.

When it comes to spins - I always leave till the end of my session - what happen next was not good.  After my spins practice, felt very ill, dizzy and nauseous, had to leave the ice early.  This is due to an empty stomach.  Yes, note to self:  eat something before hitting the ice!!! 

Well till next time!! Happy Skating

Look who's back on the ice?

So, I am back on the ice from a long hiatus - almost eight months away from the ice.  Really glad that things are looking up and moving forward taking it one day at a time.

Monday's Practice:
Got on the ice and was a bit timid, butterflies in my stomach - my adrenalin was rising, but as I stroked around and warmed-up my moves in the field I began to feel the ice under me.

Manage to start on some single jumps; waltz jumps, salcowand toe loops - did them pretty nice but landing was a bit off - I think because I've been away so long - I lost the landing technique, but then it all came back to me.

Worked on my loop jump which up till today I am struggling to find the best entry; from an back edge or an forward inside 3-turn.  Decisions, decisions!!!  Began warming up my jump rotations for my flip and did a few bad ones - double footed, but I did manage to land a nice one. (its a bit blurry but you can see it)

My goal is to master this jump, and once I do that I can focus on my lutz.  Geering up to get my free skate program and test in the near future.   I am setting short term goals this year, because of my health but "all in all" just doing what I do best is "skate" and enjoy it every time I can even if its just once a week, I am happy.  

Happy Skating

Practice Today

Decided to skate today and put in some practice now that my shoulder is getting better slowly.  I have to skate so I don't go crazy in my head.  Somehow skating makes everything feel better until you get off the ice its like it numbs you lol.

I've been skating like once a week and just working on elements that don't irritate my shoulder - like working on my toe loop and salcows but I decided today to really hit the ice and work on my flip jump.  I haven't skated this jump since last summer so now its all new to me and the muscle memory is gone!!!

This is my video from today's practice - I know it needs a lot of work especially my free leg needs to be more in the loop position.  I really hate this jump, and to think last year I had a solid and decent flip jump.  Now I have to start from scratch - oh well....practice its.

I am so happy to be on the ice and getting my stress release. Thank you guys for reading and supporting me.  

Happy Skating

My first skate for 2016

Hello everyone, hope all of  you are doing well and had a great new year!! Its been a while since I posted, but now I am back in the hang of things and its looking good.

Skated Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Well, I decided to give a shot and skate, but let me tell you!! that rink was so cold!! I said to  myself let me put on two layers of clothing and still I felt the cold.

I did, however, manage to skate pretty well considering I've been away from the ice for quite sometime - on and off.  At first I was timid, but as I skated around felt my blades (newly sharpened) smooth with no sound, wow what a feeling.

How funny, my spins (backspins and sit spins) I can use more practice so I can have more control of the spin.  Jumps were effy since my shoulder hasnt completely healed.  Loop jumps were a bit challenging because of my right side shoulder tends to hurt as I set for the jump.  Flip jumps were good felt like I went around, but not enough height....yuke.

Overall, I enjoyed my skate and looking forward to lessons soon with my coach.  With my change in careers and work, now I can dedicate more time or (some time) during my work week to skating and lessons.

Goals 2016

1. Get stronger in my elements and jumps

2. Test my bronze free skate

3. Compete in a local competition.

4. End of the year gold is to train for 2017 Adult Nationals

Well, happy skating everyone!! Love to hear from all of you fabulous skaters!!