2012 Accomplishments, 2013 Hopes

It's hard not to look back and look forward at New Years. And of course, this year's skating is one thing I've reflected on quite a bit in my pondering. Here's a recap.

• A few days before New Years last year, I got the good news from my orthopedist that my broken ankle was finally healing.
• In January of 2012, I began physical therapy.
• On April 1st, I was allowed to return to the ice.  (I actually had my first skate on March 31st--I know, I'm a rebel.) I started skating once a week, starting with stroking, crossovers, swing rolls, mohawks, 3 turns and a little bit of ice dance.
• In May, I resumed lessons with my coach, working on pre-bronze moves, which I had been about to test when I got injured.
• In July, I switched to working on ice dance with a male coach, so that he could also partner me. My primary coach challenged me to pick up bronze moves for the August test session.
• In August, I tested and passed pre-bronze moves, bronze moves, and all three preliminary dances. I also started jumping again.
• In September, I started a spins class, because I decided I needed a new perspective on this element that's been particularly tough for me.
• In November, I actually began to spin.
• In December, I passed my pre-bronze free skate and I performed with the spins class in a rink holiday recital.

Somewhere, between August and December, I also started my sit spin, loop, flip and lutz, as well as silver moves. I put together a video summary of some of my best examples caught on tape this year and have included it at the bottom of this post.

As for 2013, I have some official goals, and some secret hopes. My official goals are more related to tests and competitions. I've gone over these with my coach(es):

• Skate in two local competitions (March and September) and give a good showing
• Test silver moves and pre-bronze dances in April (and pass!)
• Test bronze free skate, probably in the October - December time frame (and pass!)

And my hopes are element goals I have, things which I can't resolve to do, but can aim to work on.

• Start axel and double salchow (and land them--haha! But this is my number one hope.)
• 15 revolution scratch spin (double my current revs. I have no clue if that's realistic.)
• Bronze dances
• improve back spin and sit spin
• 3 revolutions on camel spin and maybe layback spin
• CCW outside spreadeagle

That ought to keep my busy. Here's to happy and healthy skating in 2013!