Monday: update on practice and preparation for 2009 U.S. Adult Figure Skating National Championships

For me, it’s been an interesting preparation for this year’s Adult Nationals. I was able to sqweak out just enough endurance to make it through my programs and ice dances in March for the Midwestern Adult Sectionals. Afterwards, I found my programs and dances easier to get through as each week passed.

But, I came down with a sinus infection 3 weeks ago… a sinus infection that’s still lingering on. (I’m on a second round of antibiotics, after relapsing when the first antibiotic finished).

Last Wednesday was the 1-week-to-go-till-my-events mark, and was the first day back on the ice for me. The two weeks previous, I only managed to skate two days due to being so sick. I really probably shouldn’t have skated at all on Wednesday-Friday since I was still having some dizzy spells and I spent more time coughing/hacking/blowing my nose than actually skating. But I took it easy starting with just dances and Senior MIF, building up to jumps on Thursday, partial program runthroughs on Friday, and spins on Saturday & Sunday.

This morning, I’m feeling pretty good. My body physically still is in good shape and I’ll be able to make it through my programs just fine—assuming my airways aren’t clogged from the sinus infection, and that I can breath all tight. All of my elements, even the spins are pretty much where they’ve always been so my training must have stuck it out for me.

I’m finding it’s tough to find enough skating time with my 8:30-5 office job, and part-time coaching… so I’ve been resorting to skating 6:30-7:50 a.m. sessions before work. The nice thing is, that at most there is usually one other skater. Often times I’m alone. It’s GREAT for program run throughs, but I’d rather skate with all the high level freestyle skaters at my rink since it really pushes me to train harder/smarter.

Anyway, at this year’s 2009 Nationals I’ll be competing:
Wednesday: Silver ladies 1 freeskate
Thursday: Silver Solo Dance Group A
Friday: Ladies 1 Aristic/Dramatic Interpretive.

As much as I’m focused on my own programs, I *CAN NOT WAIT* to get to the rink to catch all of my fellow competitive adult skating friends, and meet several new ones. The US Adult Nationals Figure Skating Championships is such a fun and inspiring event for skaters of all ages and levels. If you haven’t checked out the youtube video of Yvonne’s skate from 2007 Adult Nationals, a competitor in her 80s(!!!), definitely scroll down a couple of posts to check it out.

I think it’s great that this event started with an expected 100 competitors, but well over 400 entries just over 10 years ago. It has consistently drawn several hundred competitors each year, many who keep coming back year after year as life/finances/jobs/vacation/injuries permit. I think it’s unfortunate that only 4 competitors from Indianapolis will be going this year, when I know over two dozen who are capable of going based on their current skating levels. But, I’m working on encouraging them to take part!

~ by rochelleonice on April 21, 2009.