Yesterday was a skating day. Let's get the bad news out of the way; I had to skate on the public session. I have become such an ice snob that I forgot was it was like to maneuver around teenage girls who act like they are the only people at the rink. It's difficult to execute a program under these conditions, although most of my skating friends seem to manage far better than I. In light of these little fireflies flitting about clueless as to others, I spent a good bit of time at the boards practicing my back spin. My skating friend, Nancy, was at the session also and showed me a way that one very good skater got into his BS; left inside edge, then right inside edge into the spin. I tried this approach. It worked pretty well. I was really excited to get three or four spins with three full revolutions and nice push out, without holding onto the boards. That said, when Coach came up for my lesson, I could not repeat this, of course. And the car always works fine when you take it to the shop, right? Same principle.
When we were just starting the lesson in earnest, Coach asked me about my migraines and how I felt. She had heard (I think) from Jill S. that I left the rink last Friday as soon as I arrived. Then she asked if I was stressed about going to Worlds and did I think this was causing an increase in the headaches. Bingo, the moment of truth had arrived. I said - in a voice that probably was heard in New York - "Of course I am stressed about going to Worlds! There is no coincidence that the frequency of my headaches increased nearly immediately after I committed to competing again." She was genuinely concerned and asked what she could do to help me with this. I replied, "Nothing. This is just who I am. I need to work through this myself." One of the Coach's qualities that I love is her deep concern for her skaters.
The entire lesson was spent on programs. Three run-throughs of "Passion" and two of my technical program. Made a few tweaks to "Passion" including removing the hydroblade element and replacing it with an undercut spiral (a true ISI element, which Coach thought might play well with the judges). After these we spent some time working on more spins (not back spins, however). Still awful. Why can't I do this when I had it nailed for my test 4 weeks ago? My Lord, this is so frustrating.
Toward the end of the lesson, Coach provided her feedback on the programs as skated in my lesson. She said I am getting more speed, more flow across the ice, and am expressing the music much better. This is all positive as Worlds is only a few weeks away now.
On Friday morning, I meet up with my dance partner (a pro from another rink in Vacaville) who will be my partner for the dance competition at Worlds. This will be the first time we have danced together in years. I'm excited about having the opportunity to practice with him. He is a terrific ice dancer and knows me very well, as he took me through my very first ice dance test so long ago.
Onward we go to San Jose. Only 5 weeks and counting.
I'm miles from getting the back spin, but am feeling better about it. Little-by-little I feel more comfortable with it. In fact, even more at ease than with my horrible forward spin, now officially MIA :( Got your VM message but couldn't make out the whole message. I got the gist of it, however. Geez! Hope to see you soon!
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