I had my ISI freestyle 3 test this week. It's scored from 1-5, 5 being a pass... I scored 5's across the board on everything except my change-foot-spin. Stupid. Change. Foot. Spin. I scored a 4. I knew I wasn't going to pass this week- I still have 3 more weeks to pass it... but even so, seeing the 4 still drove me to tears. (Silly isn't it?) I finally am consistently getting 2 rotations on the back spin, occasionally getting 3 rotations- what is throwing me off now is the going back forwards again. Argh.
I honestly hate spinning, and I know that my hatred for spinning is what is now getting in the way of my getting better at it. I actually have to stop, tell myself to stop hating it, and then try spinning without thinking about it. And I get so frustrated so quickly with my spinning- I feel like I should be spinning better than I am. Spinning is obviously not a good thing for a perfectionist to do! Hah. I can tell I'm getting better, and when I think about it, I know I'm getting better- but I'm not where I want to be with it, and that frustrates me. I feel like I've been trying to perfect my spins for so long, though my coach tells me that's not true. It feels like forever though, haha. My one foot spin is starting to feel better- I don't hate it- I think it's because I spend so much time hating the change foot spin that the one foot spin is feeling more normal, lol. Just wait until I start on the sit spin!!
In terms of the rest of FS3- the test was really easy. My back spiral was the best it's ever been and felt really good. My jumps (toe loop and salchow) weren't my best, but I hadn't been on the ice in nearly 2 weeks, so I was still happy with the pass. I skated today and they were back at where they should be. My back pivot is good... and the dance sequence- I finally started to get the hang of those outside mohawks. So all in all, it was a good test- and I was recommended to sign up for FS 4 class.
In my private lessons, I've begun working on my loop and my flip jumps. I like the flip jump- actually- I like all jumps, but I especially like the toe-assisted jumps. They are very easy and natural to me- and I like flinging myself into the air. Is that weird as an adult skater? Not sure... but I've always enjoyed jumping.
We also have worked on back 3-turns... I hate 3-turns... but the back ones aren't as bad. I'm hoping that this means that the FS4 footwork will be easier for me to master, since I hear it has back 3-turns.
I'm excited to keep progressing. Although I wish I could abandon the spins and just focus on jumps, haha. My goal is to learn my axel. And actually I do want to learn the sit spin- it looks so much more fun than the regular spins. It also seems more natural to me to spin and go down, than to spin and stay straight. Probably just my weird brain though.
Anyways, it's a new year and I'm happy with how my skating is progressing over all.... though for the next few months, I won't be on the ice as much as usual (only 3 times a week rather than 5) because of my crazy schedule... the downfall of doing this sport as an adult... life keeps getting in the way!
So long for now.
