All this spin drama has me determined to nail my spins at Nationals. And I will say, my spin consistency does seem to be improving. I took some video during practice the other day to see how I was doing. I felt really good about the camel-back sit I caught on tape and then it looked sooooo slooooowwww on video. I also know that I used to do lower sit spins in my old boots (see here), so I've started pushing those lower and hope to get video of that sometime soon. I'm still having a hard time getting the back sit lower, but I have sore quads on both legs as evidence that I've been working on it. And to show you all that I'm not lying when I tell Coach that I *do* practice my spins, here's a little tiny bit of proof:
Edit: I added a link to an earlier sit spin and found a video of me doing better camel spins six months ago. Bummer.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Sectionals
I'm back from my first Adult Sectionals competition. I had a lovely time and it was wonderful to see adults competing in so many events.
I was pretty happy with how I skated, even though I fell on a spin. I also had a few of those normal competition bobbles, where I tripped here and there. But I held onto my sit spin at the end, even though it wasn't the best. It's too bad, since I did a terrific one in warm-up, but it was also a triumph, since I've screwed up my sit spin almost every time I've performed a program.
I thought when I fell that I had for sure lost my chance at winning, but I quickly pushed the thought aside and kept going. I got to watch the last four skaters in my group and they skated wonderfully. I was hoping I still had a chance for a medal, but I was preparing myself for other eventualities while waiting for the results.
When the runner posted the results sheet, I saw my name at the top and was confused. I'd been scanning for my name in the middle of the pack. What was this list? It wasn't the start list, wasn't it the results? And then it hit me. I'd come in first. I was shocked! And then thrilled!
I was happy it turned out as it did, especially since some family I don't get to see very often got to come and watch. I hope to continue to make some improvements before Nationals, where I hope to nail both my spins. Here's my performance:
I was pretty happy with how I skated, even though I fell on a spin. I also had a few of those normal competition bobbles, where I tripped here and there. But I held onto my sit spin at the end, even though it wasn't the best. It's too bad, since I did a terrific one in warm-up, but it was also a triumph, since I've screwed up my sit spin almost every time I've performed a program.
I thought when I fell that I had for sure lost my chance at winning, but I quickly pushed the thought aside and kept going. I got to watch the last four skaters in my group and they skated wonderfully. I was hoping I still had a chance for a medal, but I was preparing myself for other eventualities while waiting for the results.
When the runner posted the results sheet, I saw my name at the top and was confused. I'd been scanning for my name in the middle of the pack. What was this list? It wasn't the start list, wasn't it the results? And then it hit me. I'd come in first. I was shocked! And then thrilled!
I was happy it turned out as it did, especially since some family I don't get to see very often got to come and watch. I hope to continue to make some improvements before Nationals, where I hope to nail both my spins. Here's my performance:
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Return of the Remedial Spinner
About six months ago, I showed my sister a video of some of my spins and she said that I no longer qualified as a remedial spinner. I'd hoped she was right, but I still didn't think it was time to change the tag line of my blog.
Well, I still deserve the title in spades. I may manage quite a nice camel, sit or back spin from time to time now, but my ability to do it on demand is horrendous.
I signed up for a club exhibition so I could try out my new program in a competition-like environment before Sectionals. They scheduled me last, for which I ended up being very glad. All the coaches left after their skaters finished and most of the skaters and parents had too.
A bronze level program is allowed two spins, and mine are a camel-back sit combo and a solo sit spin, which ends my program. My camel spin has been hot and cold this week, as always. Last weekend, it was eliciting compliments from fellow skaters, but mid-week in my lesson, it was garnishing admonitions from my coach that I need to practice my spins more. (Believe me, I practice my spins a lot!)
Well, in the program, I actually hit the camel! But the back-sit never got going. I kind of hopped around a little, trying not to lose my balance and finally stood up to move on, already late for the next segment of my program. At the end of my program, I step down directly into the sit spin from a salchow. I miss on the sit spin from time to time, but it's more stable than my camel. Well, not this time. I absolutely flubbed the entrance. I stepped into the entrance and then, next thing I knew, I was on two feet, standing up and not having a clue what to do. I absolutely blew it. I don't think I ever even got a single revolution. I basically did a nice deep edge into a two foot gobbledegook. I took a few steps forward, baffled about what to do and then posed when the music ended. It's devastating to end a program with a major mistake.
I was beyond disappointed. I've botched the spins in 2 out of the 3 competitions I've done so far, and now this. I was embarrassed as it was announced that I'd be competing at sectionals. "Not skating like that!" I wanted to shout out to the few people still watching. I felt like I'd had no business putting myself up for the exhibition.
I was so ashamed of how I'd skated. In addition to the spins, I tripped over my feet about 3 times on the hard ice. My parents and roommate who'd come to watch me were very kind, so I tried to shake off my foul attitude quickly. But I'm bummed. I was hoping I could boost my confidence with a strong showing. Maybe the fiery disappointment of knowing I can do better will strengthen me just as well.
I can't put the remedial spinner title behind me. Not yet. I can only work even harder at those spins and hope that eventually, I'll have something to show for it when it counts. (Hopefully next weekend, even?? Sigh, one can hope.)
Well, I still deserve the title in spades. I may manage quite a nice camel, sit or back spin from time to time now, but my ability to do it on demand is horrendous.
I signed up for a club exhibition so I could try out my new program in a competition-like environment before Sectionals. They scheduled me last, for which I ended up being very glad. All the coaches left after their skaters finished and most of the skaters and parents had too.
A bronze level program is allowed two spins, and mine are a camel-back sit combo and a solo sit spin, which ends my program. My camel spin has been hot and cold this week, as always. Last weekend, it was eliciting compliments from fellow skaters, but mid-week in my lesson, it was garnishing admonitions from my coach that I need to practice my spins more. (Believe me, I practice my spins a lot!)
Well, in the program, I actually hit the camel! But the back-sit never got going. I kind of hopped around a little, trying not to lose my balance and finally stood up to move on, already late for the next segment of my program. At the end of my program, I step down directly into the sit spin from a salchow. I miss on the sit spin from time to time, but it's more stable than my camel. Well, not this time. I absolutely flubbed the entrance. I stepped into the entrance and then, next thing I knew, I was on two feet, standing up and not having a clue what to do. I absolutely blew it. I don't think I ever even got a single revolution. I basically did a nice deep edge into a two foot gobbledegook. I took a few steps forward, baffled about what to do and then posed when the music ended. It's devastating to end a program with a major mistake.
I was beyond disappointed. I've botched the spins in 2 out of the 3 competitions I've done so far, and now this. I was embarrassed as it was announced that I'd be competing at sectionals. "Not skating like that!" I wanted to shout out to the few people still watching. I felt like I'd had no business putting myself up for the exhibition.
I was so ashamed of how I'd skated. In addition to the spins, I tripped over my feet about 3 times on the hard ice. My parents and roommate who'd come to watch me were very kind, so I tried to shake off my foul attitude quickly. But I'm bummed. I was hoping I could boost my confidence with a strong showing. Maybe the fiery disappointment of knowing I can do better will strengthen me just as well.
I can't put the remedial spinner title behind me. Not yet. I can only work even harder at those spins and hope that eventually, I'll have something to show for it when it counts. (Hopefully next weekend, even?? Sigh, one can hope.)
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