Figure Skating Recap of 2017

Wow, I can't believe this year is already over!!  It was a year of ups and downs, tears and sometimes thinking to just throw in the towel.  I've come a long ways with my skating this year, I am so happy with my progress.  My jumps are fully rotated and my spins have improved.  Have to say that 2017 I managed to stay injury free.....yeah!!

Competed my first competition of the year in February and I must say it was a "rude awakening" for me because I had realized where I was lacking and what I needed to improve.  Also competed Nationals at the ISI Adult Championships for the very first time, one of my lifetime dream and I did it.  It was an amazing experience made new skating friends and met my long time friends from far away!!

Well, I did not get a chance to test my bronze free skate, but that's ok, there's always tomorrow.  Hopefully by next year, in a few months, I will have a chance to test.  Just have to practice some more and get my program clean.  No USFSA Nationals bummer.....maybe 2019.

I am so grateful for 2017, it was a year of learning and filled accomplishments.  Thank you to all my family and friends who supported me throughout the year.  I can't wait for 2018.  Checkout my video of 2017 skating recap!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY SKATING

Let The "Spins" Begin

God only knows how much I hate "spins" but I have to do them, 1. because it's a requirement for testing, and need you them in your competition programs.  2. they look so pretty when done correctly.

If you ask me, I would try every excuse in the play book...when I am in a lesson not to work on spins, especially during practice freestyle sessions I only work on my sit spins and backspins lol. 
Coach would tell me: "okay, let me see your forward scratch spin" Me:  ugh!! really, do I have to??  But with just a few months with my new coach my spins have improved dramatically!! Never in a millions years...I eever thought of liking spins, and NOW my "forward scratch spin" is improving....and with foot crossed (most of the time).  Mind you, not all my spins are good, but the few that my coach has witnessed, she is highly pleased!!  "Let the spins begin" woot woot!!....lots to digest and focus on centering and keeping free leg out and holding the spin.

New spin in the horizon: Laybacks 
Yesterday, coach had me work on laybacks and beginning steps to centering, I must say I really like this spin.  As an adult skater with a history of back issues (2 herniated disc, L4 and L5) is not to happy with I have to arch my back and squeeze my butt and at the same time spin and look gracious.  Well, like all skating....practice makes perfect!! I will post videos soon, once my spin is video worthy haha....soon!!

Happy Skating and Happy Thanksgiving 

Its Flippin Time Again

After Adult Champs, I decided to get in gear and work on my FLIP jumps again, and focus on getting stronger and cleaner jumps.  I've put that jump in the back burner for a long time, and now its time to re-gain back my muscle memory and back to basics.

Its funny, the jump(s) we dislike or fear...is hardly ever practiced, same goes with my spins...I tend to work on elements that I feel comfortable doing and later for the rest...haha, but sooner or later it will come back and bite you in the ____!!

TIPS TO REMEMBER:

• DONT rush the jump (my first problem)
• Strong knee bend on the 3 turn (right arm back)
• Hold the edge (this is where I have issue) hint; think of it like your doing a salcow
• PIVOT motion when toe pick hits the ice and ready to take off
• Keep free leg in front!! (my nemesis)
• Land it, toe, edge and glide

When I compare my flip from like 2 years ago and today, I can see big improvement.  Since competition I've been practicing and I must say I like the results, few more practices and eventually I would like to put the flip jump back in my programs!!  My most recent video this week.

HAPPY SKATING

2017 Orlando ISI Adult Championships Re-cap

What an amazing weekend at the 2017 ISI Adult Championships!! I have no words to say how happy I was to meet, skate with such amazing skaters.  The support and unity from the adult skating community is overwhelming and I will cherish for ever.  I am truly blessed to have had this opportunity to skate amongst the very best skaters.  I finally got to meet my dearest friends from facebook, near and far...what a joyous experience.

I am so proud of  ALL RDV Adult Skaters who 

skated so well...y'all truly represent!!
#rdvsportsplexiceden #adultchamps

Competition recap: Open Silver FS 4-FS5
It was a tough week for me with work and didn't even get to practice my programs not even once!!  I told myself, I will just have to go out there and give IT my best shot.   I really thought about scratching for the mear fact that I knew deep down I was not going to place well.....but I suck it up and said "skate for you and nobody else, and it's not about the medal but the experience"
Artistic Program: Short Program
Phantom of the Opera "Music Of The Night"
I enjoyed this program so much, even though I was tied 5th place out of 6 in our group, for me it was "GOLDEN"
View Video: https://youtu.be/YN06ddFqLIU

Open Freestyle:  Long program:
Scent of a Woman "Por Una Cabeza"
Deep down inside I knew my long program was not up to level, but I just wanted to put it out there and skate it no matter what.  During my warm-up I took a bad fall and hurt both knees and landed flat on my chest and stomach!! It happen so fast that it knocked the wind out of me....pretty sure you all know the "toe pick" demon dive or aka "superman dive"  I heard my daughter and Saundra yell "get up, get up...its okay...you got this"  and sure enough I got up and skated (pained and bruised) and did it!! Enjoyed every minute of my program AND I ROCKED IT!!

View Video: https://youtu.be/lSLlOAtKAFQ
I placed 6th overall.....I felt like crying when I saw my name at the bottom (this is a first for me) :(  I knew why I placed 6th and I am humbled with my results.  I two footed the landing on my loop jump and my backspin was MIA dratz!!

Special Thanks:
A special thank  you to my coach Kristen, for coaching me and who got me ready for this competition in such a short time!!  Thank you to all the coaches, volunteers and judges for their time and dedication to this sport.  Thank you to RDV SPORTSPLEX ICE DEN FOR HOSTING THIS AMAZING EVENT!!!

We all think back after every competition, when it's over....I should have done this, I could have changed this, but next time I WILL SKATE even BETTER!!  

HAPPY SKATING!! 

ADULT EASTERN SECTIONALS 2018

15 Days Until 2017 ISI Adult National Championships

2017 ISI ADULT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS is almost here!!

It's crazy but it's finally here, throughout the many years I've been an ISI member, adult nationals always held in other States, many times in Vegas, but this year it's in Florida and at my home rink...Yeah!!!

Open Silver Program Dress

My dream was to compete one day at ANC, and now I got my chance.  I can't say that I've train all season because I haven't, do to finance and health reasons.  I started taking lessons again and with a new coach back in August consistently which has worked so well for me.  Together we worked hard getting my jumps, skills and performance to competition ready program...I am so happy!!

I've decided to skate my open silver level to my USFSA free skate music and program since I already have it same goes with my artistic.  I feel ready, not nervous, "it is what it is" I want to go out there skate my best, enjoy the experience and see all my friends from other states near and far!!

Wish me luck!!

Found New Confidence

When you have been away from the ice like I have, whether it's 2 months or 1 year, it's not easy.  For whatever reason (financial, health, injury) you will lose confidence in your skating and it will take time to get it back.

My confidence and fear with spins were something I could not break...always had the fear of falling and cracking my head open or break a bone, seriously!  I always took the easy route; practice spins that I was good with (sit spins) and put the others on the back burner (forward scratch and back spins).  But now that I have to gear up to test, I had to face the music and hit that backspin with a new perspective.

I've been back on the ice now for a good month consistently with lessons and with a new coach and I have to say that my skating has improved as well my spins.  I finally got to skate my forward scratch spin with foot crossed, but as always it's a hit or miss.....much for improvement, it will get there. 

Finally I found new confidence and it feels wonderful.  My skating is a working progress, I will have my good days and bad....but most importantly, I will not give up on myself!!
 "I can do this"

I Love Skating

Hiring A New Coach

Hey Everyone!!

I was thinking a while back that I should go up North and take a training class this summer.  But I decided to save my money (that I would have spent on coaches, airfare, hotel and food) and just hire a coach here (I am still keeping my old) to help me with my program and elements. Many skaters have 2 coaches - it is costly, but you have to find a balance as well as both coaches have to work together.

When you have to make a tough decision like keeping your coach but still hire another one, it is best to be upfront with your coach, let him or her know; what are your goals, thoughts what you want to do, same time be honest and truthful.

It's okay to feel guilty...I did too but I have an amazing and understanding coach - she's the best!!  My new coach is great and tough at the same time in a very good way, she coached my daughter for many years and got her to the level she is today.  I am so excited and I can't wait to get started.  

This new addition has given me the FIRE IN MY BELLY" I've been missing for a long time!!  I feel deep down "I made the right decision"

Happy Skating 

Sense Of Normalcy

Hey everyone!!!  I finally got a chance to skate this week...feeling a "sense of normalcy" FINALLY.  It felt so good to be back on the ice again.  I did not push myself too hard, but did manage to skate my program and work on jumps and spins.

Overall considering I've been away for so long (2 mo) it was a great skate.

Elements to work on: (before testing)
back scratch spin:  stay over the right and cross foot
flip jump: hold edge and pivot take off
loop jump: check out after landing
sit spin: stay centered and lower

Here is my video from this week!  I still have much to work on but with practice, I will get there!!

Thanks for reading......Happy Skating!!

Decisions, Decisions

Been debating and it all comes down to "decisions, decisions"...making the decision whether or not to test March 12th.  All my skating peeps encourage me and know my abilities. This means so much to me and always appreciate their advice....they all think that I should go for it!!

Well??
After last weeks competition, I had some time to think and discussed it with my coach - test session is coming up in 2 weeks (YIKES).  However, I do have some reservations, and my coach feels - it is best that I should test my free skate in May which gives me much more time to practice and focus on my weakest elements (SPINS, I hate them) and put out a nice clean program that the judges will appreciate.

In all honesty, there is no rush for me to test, because I really want to compete at ADULT NATIONALS 2018....and deep down....."Diana, when you are ready, you will test for you and nobody else"

So, the decision....is to test in May!!  These are decisions, all skaters have to face and/or ask themselves.  It's all part of the sport and we all have family, personal lives that have more priority.  Ice will always be there waiting for us!!

HAPPY SKATING

My First Competition 2017

Well, I did it!!  

I finally got the courage to compete for the first time in 3 years this past weekend.  What an experience!!  I had a great time competing with amazing adult skaters as well as meet old friends and make new ones.  What I love the most, is the love and the support of the skating community is so tight... it's magical.

I wanted to redeem myself and just skate and "Put It Out There" see how my confidence held up...and I have to say, "I did great" I am so proud of myself....I was not nervous or stressed.  Went out there skated my best, with my heart and was very pleased with my skate.

Competed only one event in Artistic and I got a Bronze Medal (third place) I am happy with my placement - no worries just glad I went out there and did it considering i did not practice at all the whole week, only the 5 min warm-up before competing.

My only regret was that I should have gotten some practice ice to get my legs warmed up.  Through the last part my program I was running out of gas - my legs started burning and did not get to center my sit spin (which is my strongest spin) but hey?? we have our ups and downs - and when competing it's so unpredictable.

But there is always that question, in the back of my head; what were the judges looking for and what made them score my skate? Was I not artistic enough? Was my program too two footed or on a flat? Was my program not to par?  Questions, I can never get the answers to.  Oh, well can't cry over spilled milk...on to the next competition.
Here is my Artistic Program to "At Last" by Etta James

Happy Skating

ISI 2017 Spring Classic RDV Sportsplex Ice Den

The Thought of Just Giving Up

Had a lesson yesterday, and it went pretty well...worked on my program and spins.  Doing run throughs of my program really gets me short of breath, think I am lacking cardio...something else I need to work on.

From this day forward is now getting myself ready to compete after 2 years and test my bronze free skate (again) though I am optimistic, I feel like I am fooling myself sometimes.

I've been away from the ice on and off for a year...not consistent....but now I am giving it another shot skating 2x a week and 1 lesson a week.  I am hoping for the best, this test will determine where I am lacking...I am going in with no expectations or to prove to myself but just to get feedback from the judges to view where I can improve this time around.

My Bronze Free Skate Dress

The thought of just giving up has crossed my mind.  "I've seen skaters who started sooner are now ahead of the game and I really don't want to compare myself....but I can't help it, no lie"   Had a long conversation with my coach and she strongly advised me to keep going, not give up but just enjoy the moment and just skate for me and nobody else....she is so correct.

My goal is to keep going and not set high expectations or goals that are beyond my scope but goals that I can achieve now rather than nothing at all...goals are what keeps me focused and motivated.

Happy Skating

Off Ice Practice

HAPPY NEW  YEAR Everyone!

Well, it's that time of year where we all are anxious and eager to hit the ice and start the season with competitions, shows and exhibitions.  Though you might have your programs ready or not, it is always good to warm up your body, legs and memory by doing "off ice" before entering the rink.

Funny, but when I am driving - I do run throughs in my head with my music playing or in my living room.  Sometimes, I just start doing some off ice jump rotations, spins on my spinner when I know I have practice ice or lesson that day.  

I try to be consistent with off ice - but sometimes there is not enough time in the day.  However, when I get to the ice rink - I warm up and do some off ice for a good five or ten minutes.  The point is by doing off ice practice, it creates "muscle memory" so when you get on the ice, your memory of that moment embedded in your brain....crazy, but it's true!!

1. Jump rotations - from a stand still I bend my knees with my left arm in front, right arm back, I jump up and turn in the air.
2.  Toe loop - just a simple tap - toe in, and hop
3.  Loop jumps - just position the loop and jump.
4.  I like doing waltz jumps too
5.  Squats with free foot in front and hold 5 counts - this helps for your sit spin position and how long can you hold the spin on ice.
6.  Jump and check out practice - when I jump and check out and hold my position (this is an area where I forget so easily when I am on the ice.
7.  Axel jumps - waltz jump/loops - rotations

Whether you're a beginner or elite skater, off ice is very important to your routine and make it a habit to continue with it, it will help you in so many ways. 

Happy Skating

#adultfigureskater #momscanskatetoo #figureskater