I stopped skating in mid-2017 due to a battle with an eating disorder (the fact that it was the primary source of my terrible mental health and physical deterioration was something I actually only realised once I returned). I started again in late 2019, and 2.5 months into lessons the rinks shut because of *waves hands around*
Since my return, especially post-lockdown, I’ve been trying to not fall into my bad habits of expecting too much too quickly, and being overly tough on myself. I regained my jumps a lot quicker than I expected - hurrah for muscle memory! - although my spins are still kinda terrible. I’ve started lessons with a second coach at the rink I visit more frequently (MK - I also skate at Ally Pally but the cost of travel limits my visits now), and having a second pair of eyes and a different teaching perspective has definitely been beneficial. One tactic I’ve been trying to employ is to celebrate the positives no matter what, so here is my most recent achievement.
I started lutz last week in London - I have done a little work on the takeoff before during a training camp years ago, and my MK coach has covered the entry edge very briefly, but I never had a lutz even before my big hiatus. Yesterday I managed to be brave enough to rotate it! Coach videoed the third attempt, which was the second time I managed to actually get around; he did predict I’d manage to get at least one on one foot by the end of the session and I managed two, although they had no running edge whatsoever.
It’s not very pretty, it’s underrotated and there’s heaps else wrong with it, but it’s a start and I’m happy enough to share it. I’ve linked the video below. Tips are definitely welcome.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGH54HuF6E8/?igshid=ly09nmy3tezf