April 27, 2011

Hey everyone!

I haven't written in a long time, and a lot has happened to me in the past 4 months! Last time I wrote I was looking forward to competing at Nationals as a senior, which, to my dismay, did not happen. We decided two days before I was to leave that I wouldn't be going. My tendonitis just kept creeping up on me! It was horrible... seriously... tears galore. To be honest I was losing faith. I had had symptoms of tendonitis for 7 months. I felt like as soon as I started getting better I was off the ice again. I was sick of telling people I wouldn't be competing, or practicing, or dancing, or whatever it was I wasn't allowed to do. I thought this experience was dreadful, but I was very, very wrong. With injury came a new appreciation for health, a new understanding of my limits, even a new outlook on life. Perfection was the goal before, but when you don't have your health you are looking for mere hope that you're going to get better, instead of beating your longtime rival. I discovered how to stay in great shape without exercising too much, how to train jumps after several weeks off, and most importantly, that I could enjoy life without the obsession of the competitive skating world. This doesn't mean I don't love that world though... because trust me, I do.

I know that everything I have learned will apply to next season. I'm really excited about the new direction my skating is taking. I always thought that people that put intense training off were slackers, but now I realize sometimes that's exactly what you need to do. I'm ready to enjoy next season, the right way, no crazy intense training schedule. I'm going to work hard and love skating.

Happy spring!

Kiri

December 20, 2010

Hello!

I haven't written a journal entry since the Summer, and a lot has happened since then! Last time I wrote I was off the ice due to a stress fracture. I healed up well and had a couple weeks to train before leaving for my JGP in Karuizawa, Japan. Japan was an amazing experience, and I skated two good programs there taking the silver medal. When I got home I had two weeks before I would be departing to Ostrava, Czech Republic. I skated decently there taking 5th place. I wasn't thrilled, but I had qualified for the JGP Final in Beijing, China. To say I was excited to go to China is an understatement.

I came home from Ostrava more motivated then ever. I increased my training to four sessions on the ice a day and I jumped more then ever before. Since my injury over the summer I was experiencing minor pain in my left ankle, but it was very bearable, so I trained hard until it started getting worse. When it started getting worse I laid off, I had six weeks until I had to be in Beijing and I wasn't going to sacrifice the Final because I wanted to train extra hard. It was confirmed by my doctor, I had severe tendonitis in what was now both ankles. That was okay I thought, people skate through that, even compete through that. After three weeks of extremely light training my ankle was getting even worse; I would stick my toe into the ice and it would just collapse. The pain was not a problem, but I found it impossible to jump, there was no strength there. My coach and I made the hard decision of pulling out of the JGP Final, but this would mean I could be healthy for Nationals! I found walking slightly painful, so for the beginning of my time off my exercise was limited; swimming laps at the pool, biking for leg strength, yoga, pilates, and lots of physical therapy. PT involved electrophoresis treatment, ultrasound, and a whole list of exercises for me to do.

Now I'm back on the ice and doing double jumps! Next week I can start triples. So far I have no pain, and I am so happy. It'll take lots of hard work but Nationals is on the horizon and I'm excited to compete as a senior lady.

Merry Christmas!
Kiri

June 15, 2010 

Hey everyone!

Last time I wrote I was off to JGP Final in Tokyo, Japan. That was amazing!!! Although I wasn't too happy with my performances, overall it was a great experience. Nationals was exciting also, and it felt great to be on the podium as a Junior this past year. After Nationals I was ready to train to become a senior lady. Until my coach told me I was the alternate for Junior Worlds! That was such an honor, and I got training immediately. One week before Junior Worlds we got a call. I would be going to the Hague, Netherlands to compete on Team USA!!!!! I was so excited (and slightly nervous) about the thought of this experience. When I got there I felt great and did a very decent short and long to end up seventh. I flew home very satisfied, and ready to train.

It's summer now and everything's changed. I got a new long, La Strada, which I LOVE! and for a while there I couldn't be happier with my training. This was until a couple weeks ago when I started having pain in my left ankle. Yesterday we got the results from my MRI, and I have a stress fracture... I was sad, but at the same time I know I'll be fine in a couple weeks. Thank goodness. I miss the rink already!

Have a wonderful summer!!!! =)

November 24, 2009

Hello everyone, and welcome to my new website!

So much has happened to me in the past year or so. I’m so fortunate to have had such great experiences. Since this is my first time writing, I guess I’ll start with last season.

Two years ago I hadn’t made it out of Regionals, so I felt no pressure as I trained for the 2008, 2009 season. For my long I skated to music from the Chaplin soundtrack, and for my short I skated to Grieg‘s Piano Concerto in A Minor, but it was a fun remix. Everything was new to me starting from Sectionals in Sugar Land, Texas, which was great. After that I felt super confident going into the 2009 Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio. Nationals was such an experience, I loved competing, as well as watching all of the senior competitors.

After Nationals I was so excited to train again. I was anxious to work on my new programs, and compete as a Junior lady. My goals for this year are get all my triples consistent, and to compete at Nationals. To be invited to two Junior Grand Prixs was amazing. I wasn’t expecting them at all, and I had so much fun in Dresden, Germany and Istanbul, Turkey. Very soon after those competitions I started training for next week's Junior Grand Prix Final in Tokyo, Japan.

I’m leaving next Monday. I’m so excited! No matter what happens it’s just a plus for me this season. I want to have a good time and, once again, get experience. Although I’d love to win a medal for the USA.

Love, Kiri