Charlie Brown On Skates

Been awhile since my last post where I discussed my skating issues, particularly with my back. I nearly stopped skating for awhile, especially when the holidays rolled around. In the last couple weeks I have gone to a few more practices (3 in the last week in fact). I’m definitely way out of skating shape. I was at least able to fix my buckle, and I’ve got the right frame working better, but not optimal.

Thinking about 2009, I have to be realistic. I have a new job this year that is not going to allow me to train like I have in the past. And so far, my back problems have not gotten better. If anything at practices lately I’ve noticed it’s the same. I’m hoping that I can improve my core so that it’s not so much a critical issue. If it’s just a nagging thing I can deal with it - so we’ll see how that goes.

I will most assuredly not be doing a lot of traveling this year. That probably means I’ll only be able to do a couple races. Certainly our Chicago race, which will be bigger and better than ever, will be one. I’ve really enjoyed the St. Paul race the last couple years too, and that’s not too far away - so I’m hoping I can fit that one in the budget. Other than that… I can’t see doing much else, but we’ll see. I hate to miss Northshore twice in a row, but it may not be in the cards.

This is probably going to be the last year I can get out of my Hyper Sincro boots. They have really taken a beating the last year and change. Lately I’ve had a lot of trouble with them, and I rarely am feeling good in them.  I’m going to try and save up for a Simmons boot next year.

In the meantime, we’ve got free skate tonight which I am looking forward to. We’ve got new uniforms coming this year and big event to plan for. The plan is to enjoy it as much as possible this year and see where it goes.