Is it possible to have a bad day? If so I achieved this yesterday. I'm a beginner and only on Level 7. I normally have 1-1 coaching and I'm learning backward crossovers - which I'm finding very difficult btw, but yesterday I couldn't even lift my feet for a forward crossover. Is it possible to have off days and not be able to do anything, or have I momentarily lost my mojo because my muse and coach on holiday and so skating alone?!!!!
Ah, you had what I call a "Plank Day", which is when you skate like a plank of wood rather than a human being, usually for no discernible reason. They are very frustrating but it is important to remember that every skater has them. Every. Single. Skater. Regardless of age, skill level, experience, etc. The only benefit of higher skill level and experience is you eventually learn to recognise them as Plank Days and deal with the accordingly, whether that means adjusting your practice regime/difficulty, being more forgiving of yourself or just shrugging it off and doing something else instead rather than punishing yourself and risking injury or just giving up for good!
It's also quite natural to feel a bit off if your usual skating "team" isn't there for whatever reason.
Be kind to yourself. Tell those backward crossovers that you're coming for them when they least expect it. You'll get there and you'll look back to the days when you stood on that ice thinking, "I'm not sure that this is actually physically possible," and smile.