Ahhh, it felt good to be in the ice this week! I stopped skating in late August after my Pre-Bronze tests because I was getting Haglund's deformity from my boots. I went to Michigan in late September and bought new boots but then it took 2 weeks for them to arrive at my house in SLC and another 3.5 weeks to get the blades mounted. Then, they KILLED me. I couldn't bear being on the ice for more than 10 minutes. For the past 3 weeks, I've been working with a local ski boot fitter and physical therapist to get them adjusted properly (a punch here, some changes to the footbed there). This week I've skated 1-2 hours each day and I'm SO happy to be back! I switched from 8' rocker blades to 7' rockers and it's made a huge, positive change in my skating. Coach says she sees a noticeable improvement in my performance in the new boots and blades even with being on the ice for the 1st time in 4 months. I feel it, too.
Looking forward to reconnecting with all of you again!
slcbelle