Adult Pre Bronze Free Dance Test and Adult Solo Juvenille Free Dance Test

 They say it ain’t over till the fat lady sings… an opera reference and probably not a politically correct one at that.  Well the fat lady has sung and she skated too!

Honestly I am really proud of our partnered free dance.  Mike and I started this journey early this summer and with only 1-2 max practice sessions per week and a weekly lesson with Kendall LeClaire who has the patience of a saint.   

After testing and skating competitively for 11 years as an adult skater .. I have learned that I NEVER FEEL READY for anything.  Not a test nor a competition.  It seems to get worse and worse as I get older.

Nevertheless we did our best this morning.  We both got a pass by all three judges.  We each had plenty of notes on things to improve on.

Following that skate I had to wait for 2 other moves in the field tests.   I skated ok during my solo FD test but not my best for sure.  Darn it.   But I did pass that too and now I have some new goals for Arizona.

Goals for the winter.

Test my PRE-SILVER dances with a partner (my coach most likely) and work on the skills within those dances and hopefully pass the tests and start to learn the Silver Dances.

Dedication … and Desparation!

 I haven’t skated this many sessions in a week in YEARS.  I’m trying not to overdue it.  Getting in some runs each day but otherwise taking it easy.  Working on Twizzles and other fundamentals not shown in my videos.  Yawn 🥱 

Solo dance is ready.  It’s not perfect but barring any falls or big errors ~ I think I will pass it.  Testing as Adult 50+ (duh) 👵 

Something new I attempted today was a FI Twizzle with an open leg position and also tried grabbing my blade .. without success I might add.  That put some fear into me.  I don’t want to get hurt the week prior to a test by falling hard on that.

Final Week of Practice - 2 Tests Next Friday

 I booked 6 sessions of ice time this week.  Skating 4 days with double sessions on Monday and Wednesday when I have my lesson.  I need some time alone to work on my Solo Free Dance too.

Mike and I are working hard and trying to clean up the little things.  Our spin is getting better - we just need to work on keeping our eyes off the ice and our legs more in sync!

Catching up on some vids….. practice, practice, practice

I just realized I haven’t posted in a while.  Catching up on some vids from the past couple of weeks.

Working backwards from the top.  I’ve had limited ice time and lots going on off ice -

Still working on the free dance with Mike and coach Kendall LeClair.  Test date is set Oct 21!