Checking In

Hey adult figure skaters! How's the Year of Adult Figure Skaters going? I know there's been discussions about music and programs and dresses...everyone's busy. Tell us what's up! I love hearing your stories.

As you may remember, I'm working on Dance Test 2013. When I began this little adventure I told Dmytri I wanted to map out a timeline, which he refused to do. I admire and respect Dmytri very much, so I did the only thing I could do...

I created my own timeline and kept it from him.

Dmytri told me the process would work as follows:

1. Learn the individual pieces of the dances: stroking, crossovers, inside and outside swingrolls, step behinds.
2. Put them together in the proper patterns.
3. Do it to music. 

Dmytri insisted I would hate Step Three. He said I would spend a tremendous amount of time on Steps One and Two and then when it came time to put it to music I would feel like I was starting all over. With this basic outline in mind, I decided I wanted to have Step One done by the end of March - and by done I mean, I wanted those pieces to be Dmytri-approved. (If that's even possible.) 

But then Dmytri did everything differently, or at least I think. He started putting the pieces together into the patterns much more quickly than I expected and we've been doing it to music. Mind you, when we do it to music, I'm mostly just running along the ice trying to keep up - extension and edges optional. I expected Dmytri to drill me on those individual pieces for months before putting them together. Why is he moving things along so quickly? Is he keeping it fun so I keep motivated? Is he trying to help me avoid the frustration associated with Step Three? I don't know, but I like the way it's working. 

So, back to my March deadline. It's cool that I can "walk through" Dutch Waltz" on my own and I can hit most of Rhythm Blues. But I know the individual pieces need a lot of work. Can I get it together by the end of March?

At the beginning of this I thought there were three key things I needed to do to be successful:

• Rock the off-ice training to rebuild my injured ankle-knee-hip. That part I'm doing, but it's a-whole-nother post. (The ankle still hurts. A lot. All the time. So I'm considering taking the orthopedist up on his offer of a cortisone shot.)
• Stay committed to instruction. I've had to drop my weekly class (the Kid needs braces), but I've been really good about getting my lessons in with Dmytri. 
• Practice, practice, practice. I've been getting about 30 - 45 minutes of practice time each week. It tends to be quality practice, being limited in time keeps me focused while I'm on the ice. But let's face, ain't nobody turning into Meryl Davis on 30 minutes of practice time a week. 

Over the next 4-5 weeks, it's my mini-goal to get three hours of quality ice time a week. I can do that, right?