Two months ago I was on my old boots, not feeling secure and mostly just skating around... social skating. Then I found new boots and I knew I'll have to spend time to break them in and adjust to them.
So, before moving my old blade to the new boots, I thought to try and prepare and test (by recording the test and submit it for virtual judging) the long overdue Pre-Juvenile MITF test. I was confident in all the moves, I just needed to present them with confidence. I talked about this testing preparation here. I don't have the result just yet, I'll let you know as soon as I find out.
The rest of the month went into the new boots... like in a black whole. This process of changing boot feels like giving and giving and... getting nothing back. The first issue was that while these boots, SP Teri brand, are heat moldable, the bootfitter doesn't like to do that, because it would take from the longevity of the boot. Anyway it felt that I needed two good weeks, skating 3 times per week to get them tight enough. The next issue was the insole. I've bought the same brand "custom insole", and that was customized support under the heels for pronation, but didn't have any arch support. I need arch support, I have flexible feet and if I don't have arch support when I press into the foot, I get too much space into the boots. I also didn't like this pronation adjustment. I had it on both insoles, but I pronate only on my right foot. But I didn't really like it on my right foot either. So, finally... I'm back on my damaged yellow superfeet. The next issue is the blade alignment. I'll have to buy new superfeet insoles and then, my bootfitter will come to watch me skating and align the blades. The problem is that he leaves in vacation and another trip and that will make him unavailable for the whole month of May.
The plan for this month is to make do... The last time I was on ice, on my old insoles I felt clearly that the heels on both blades needed to be moved towards inside. The "custom insole" I had in the boots up to now and adjusted for pronation compensate on the blade alignment. I actually called the bootfitter and asked permission to move the blade myself... the screws too. I asked him if I can damage the boots, he said he trusts me... I already did that on my old boots... so fingers crossed. I cannot really plan anything else for this month, just to keep settling into the boots. The good thing is that while I don't love them for the moment, I have some hope that they'll end up working for me.
Meanwhile, I finally bought roller skates. I wanted them from the last summer, when I hesitated into buying an expensive set without trying it on. Then, when I had problems with my ice boots (needing low volume ones) it become clear that I'll have the same problem with the roller boots. The plan was that after I'll find ice boots, I'll use the old boots for roller skating. Meanwhile, I found a pair of old roller boots trough a friend that takes lessons at an roller rink. The boots are SP Teri, as my new ice boots and same size. They look sad, worn out, but they actually fit quite well. I will of course paint them, the roller skating boots are rarely white, they are all these fun colors... I'm excited about that! The wheels look really worn out, that I will surely have to change them. I'll also have to check why the left foot goes to the left on its own. The left plate is mounted way more towards inside of the boot than the right one, so I think it has to be remounted. There is also the possibility that the left plate to be damaged and because it is an old brand, parts to repair it may be unavailable. But for now, let's hope for the best...
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