Goal Progress!

So, one of my goals for 2013 was a scratch spin of 15 revolutions. I've been getting 11 in most spins, but today was a very good spinning day. In fact, it was after I had started spinning that I decided I had to pull out my camera. In particular, it was to see what the mini "layback" looks like. Unfortunately, I wasn't always spinning in the frame of the camera, and the scratch spin in question is only half captured, but if I count the stripe on my sleeve going by, I'm pretty sure I got up to 16! The spin in question is at about 20 seconds in.

I may not be able to reproduce it again soon, but it's only March, so I'm thinking it'll happen again in 2013. Also, I had the goal of 3 revolutions in a camel spin, so I'm making progress towards that too.

I had another trial lesson with a coach today. I really liked that she talked about my jump technique in light of preparing me for axel and doubles, as starting axel and double sal is another one of my goals for 2013. It was a really good lesson. But so was my lesson with the coach on Monday. So now I'm torn! I may pick one to help me get through my silver moves test in April and postpone the long term decision a little while longer. Test papers are due this weekend and somebody's gotta sign 'em!

Moving on...

So I had a fabulous first competition last weekend. And then Monday, I had some skating related news in my email:

My coach announced she was taking a break from coaching.

Big sigh. I'm not 100% surprised. I saw a few signs. And in fact, she told me a few weeks ago that she was going to stop teaching LTS once the 8-week session wrapped up. I think at that point, she was planning on continuing with private lessons. But for reasons she didn't elaborate on, she's taking time completely away from the rink.

This leaves me coachless. Okay, not exactly. I do have an ice dance coach and a spins coach. But neither of them work with me on anything else and I had a plan to test silver moves in April. My coach left me with a recommendation of someone to try and we unsuccessfully tried to meet up last week. I guess we'll try again this week. I at least want to do a trial lesson with her, since my beloved coach gave her a recommendation.

I've also decided to do a trial lesson with the coach who did my spins class during the session we had the recital. I'd considered it after I heard the news about my coach, but the recommendation of a fellow adult skater who works with him made me decide to go for it. She said she thought we'd be a great fit.

I shared the news with some other skating friends today, one of whom has opinions aplenty. She wanted to know if I was going to try out a lesson with a particular coach (and I don't plan on it--we've worked together some, and I don't think she's my style) and who else had I lined up. She didn't say anything in particular, but she made it clear she disapproved of one coach I'm lining up a trial with. Once she did, I decided I'd shared enough information with her.

Even bigger sigh. I hate drama. I'm going to do the trial lessons I want to do and go with the coach who works for me. And I think I'll refrain from discussing my coaching options further with skaters who want to make a stink. Maybe I'll also hold my cards a little closer to my chest. Well, it's bedtime now. First trial lesson is tomorrow before work.

Skates Well with Others

I made a brief foray into skating pairs this week. Yesterday, a recent skating acquaintance showed up wearing the exact same colors as me. We took it as a sign to try some pairs elements. After side by side jumps, we did a throw waltz jump and some pairs spirals. He wanted to try a death spiral, but I refused, because it was too crowded. Earlier in the week, I did some side by side jumps with an adult pairs skater, and we had decent success with our timing.

I've never wanted to skate pairs, but this was really fun. It's just fun to strive to do something with somebody else. I'd still never want to skate pairs because I'm pretty terrified of lifts, and I'm not suited for them--I'm not short and I'm heavy for my size. Even as a 12 year old in ballet, I was almost never lifted during partnering class. But I think I'd enjoy dabbling it in every once in a while. My partner from yesterday says once I get my axel, we'll do a throw axel :)

One of the things that initially appealed to me about skating was that it is an individual sport, so something that has surprised me greatly is the joy of skating with others. I've had the good fortune to find good communities of adult skaters in my area. We watch and advise, videotape, encourage and challenge each other. A few weeks ago, a group of 4 of us spent the better part of a public session playing monkey see-monkey do. One skater would show off a skill and then everyone else would take turns doing the same element (or a variation they were capable of). The next week, everyone was still talking about how much fun it was.

Speaking of skating with others, I have only one competitor for my competition next weekend. And that's only in one of my two events. I wish there were more, but it does make me a little less nervous for my first competition. My parents will be coming to watch, and maybe a few others, but I didn't want to invite a lot of people because I have no idea how I'll react to the situation yet. But here's hoping that next weekend, I'll skate well in front of others!