Inspiration on the Ice

At long last! I am finally, finally, finally truly and absolutely inspired to get my "bum" out on the ice to do something completely and utterly fun - and without any fear involved. This surge of enthusiasm is the result of my lesson Thursday with Coach J.

I went to the rink knowing that I would be skating on a "half sheet, no music allowed" freestyle. There is a kids' skating camp all week, so the FS sessions have been scarce. Oh, what an ice elitist I've become!

Coach J and I plunged into ISI Free Dance. We worked through all the elements through FD5, at which point Coach announced there isn't anything in these levels that I cannot do. So-o-o-o-o, we set the goal of testing through Free Dance 5 by July 15. The kicker is that we need Coach Chris to test Free Dance 5 with me, which comprises skating a 2 minute FD program, which includes all the FD5 elements. Music is picked ("Adagio in G Minor") so that's one thing that is done.

I will test the individual elements of each of the first four levels with Coach J. It is NOT necessary to skate these in the context of a program, just to demonstrate to the judge (our Skating Director) that one has competence in these. I felt as though I could have probably done that yesterday, but the Skating Director was teaching so we couldn't interrupt her. Besides which, you have to test all the levels on the same day or else you actually have to skate a program for each of the levels. "No thank you!"

Coach J and I had a wonderful, inspiring time checking each element off the list, with high-5s all around for all the things I could do without batting an eye. She was very happy with my ability to pick up the required footwork sequences quite quickly.

My dress for the FD5 program should arrive this weekend. Can't wait to see it. I am SO excited about this program. I feel that skating Free Dance is the second best thing I've done in skating, after skating pairs. There is a lot of work to do between now and July 15 with Coach Chris, who is going to have to set the Free Dance 5 program and we'll have to nail it in testing. That gives me three weeks to learn the program and gain competence enough to pass the test. Lots of work, but the good kind.

Also worked on my jump sequence for Bronze Open program. Now a half-lutz, r-inside three, toe tap, salchow, toe loop. Finally got the entrance and exit down. Coach was happy with progress on this too. This program is coming along really well.

Coach J and I had a great time working on the Free Dance elements. I could tell she enjoyed it nearly as much as I did. It was a real partnership activity. There is simply nothing like skating with a partner to inspire one to improve and work hard.

Onward with optimism and inspiration!