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<\/a>With my coach Paula McKinley after competing in the Dogwood Open in Raleigh this past June.<\/p><\/div>This blog entry contains many links worth exploring as well as an announcement at the bottom about my next public skating appearance.<\/em><\/p>\n Like last year, once again I am going to earmark December as my month for writing a few more personal blog entries. Last December, I wrote about \u201cFinding a New Passion at 59\u201d<\/strong> <\/a>about starting my journey to become a competitive adult figure skater. I do want to share some progress as well as some learning points.<\/p>\n Things are progressing along fine, and my goal is to qualify to skate in US Adult Nationals in April, 2017 when it is held for the first time in my home state of North Carolina. I will need to train rigorously and pass four different skating skills tests in front of a set of official US Figure Skating judges. And I owe a lot of my progress thus far to both a series of helpful individuals as well as a community of supportive people. Yes, it does often indeed take a village to accomplish a personal goal; I could not have gotten as far as I have without teaching, coaching, support and inspiration from others.<\/p>\n On the individual side, I need to thank my coach Paula McKinley.<\/strong><\/a> She has been extraordinarily patient with me starting with my first tentative steps of the slippery ice to progressing through various skill levels. She insists on proper technique from the start so I do not develop bad habits, and she employs the perfect mix of correction and praise. When I do something incorrectly, Paula does have me do it over and over again until I get it right, and will often demonstrate for me my incorrect skating in an exaggerated style, which of course horrifies me but also causes me to smile. And when I train hard between lessons and then demonstrate that I have indeed learned what she has taught, she is quick to give me praise and a hug. Finding a great coach who meshes with your own style and requirements is indeed critical.<\/p>\n I also appreciate the physical support and assistance from my off-ice flexibility coach Eileen Juric<\/strong><\/a> (who is nationally known ballet and dance instructor), my physical therapist Caitlyn Espy of the Trinity Wellness Center,<\/strong><\/a> and my massage therapist Dennie Michele from Massage Envy<\/strong><\/a> at North Hills (Raleigh.) Again in 2015 I am inspired at the Dorothy Hamill Adult Fantasy Figure Skating Camp<\/p><\/div>In addition to these individuals, I have been inspired by a host of encouraging groups. I am cheered on by the members of the Central Carolina Skating Club<\/strong><\/a> of Hillsborough, NC where I am coached and also the friends from the Skating Club of North Carolina<\/strong><\/a>, as well as at the Raleigh IcePlex<\/strong><\/a> and the Polar Ice House of Garner<\/strong><\/a> where I regularly practice. And for the past two years, I have attended the Dorothy Hamill Adult Fantasy Figure Skating Camp in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dorothy Hamill and her coaching team are fantastic with inspiring and teaching each camper, and we become a family encouraging and supporting each other.<\/p>\n In addition I appreciate local friends and family, many Facebook friends who are very supportive and the US Adult Competitive Figure Skaters<\/strong><\/a> Facebook group with its excellent conversations and advice.<\/p>\n Yes, I have learned that achieving a goal does take hard work, but is so much easier and enjoyable with individual and team support \u2013 it does indeed take a village, or should I even say an extended supportive global community!<\/p>\n # # #<\/p>\n NOTE: My next skating exhibition will be at the Raleigh Iceplex,<\/strong> <\/a>2601 Raleigh Blvd in Raleigh, NC, Friday December 11 at 6:30PM. Admission is free!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This blog entry contains many links worth exploring as well as an announcement at the bottom about my next public skating appearance. Like last year, once again I am going to earmark December as my month for writing a few … Continue reading
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