Chasing a Dream - Journey to 2024 US Adult Figure Skating Nationals

I laced up my skates again with the dream of qualifying for 2024 US Adult Figure Skating Nationals -- here is my story!
(🚴🏻‍♀️ Surprise, not a cycling video -- more bike touring adventures in the works woohoo)
#figureskating #adultfigureskating #usfigureskating
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I'm not a content creator, but I have bike-related donation artwork and other miscellaneous projects documented here:
/ designbyregina
#iceskating #iceskater #adulticeskater #figureskater #adultskater #usadultskating #usfigureskatingnationals #usadultfigureskatingnationals #AN2024 #adultnationals #adultnationals2024 #skatingprogress #competitionvlog #skatingcompetition #figureskatingtraining #skater #figureskatingprogress #figureskate #adultskating #skatingcompetition #adultskatingcompetition #adultfreeskate

[@heatherjlittle]

“The Madness Never Ends” …. hilarious … every life time skater can relate!!! I just returned to competitive skating in my late 50’s after a 35 year break and now I’m 61 and more serious than ever 😅

[@reginayan]

Amazing, how inspiring!! Hope I can stay healthy and keep skating when I'm 50+ too :D

[@user-fl9zp8lw3p]

I had a long break to hadn't skated since I was 7 only went last week 33 years later had the most fun I've had for years wish I'd gone sooner I wish I'd had someone with me to film it the comparison from the first lap to my last I think would have been interesting

[@liammcinerney6869]

This was an absolute joy to watch!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey. I feel like you perfectly captured the “madness” (haha) of competing as well as that cathartic feeling of making a program and the HOURS of practice you have to put in. So glad you made so many wonderful friends along the way too!! Wishing you the best of luck in your future skating endeavours, whatever that may look like. ❤️

[@reginayan]

Thank you for the kind words!!

[@aleoaaa]

THIS. IS. SO. INSPIRING!! i am SO proud of you and this has motivated me so much! ❤❤ i hope you continue this journey of skating!

[@mayacaskie]

This is like a whole movie WOW. I absolutely loved watching this from start to finish! Congratulations!

[@McKelT]

Oh my goshh!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m over here cheering when you landed your jumps! This is so inspiring! I’m an adult figure skater too and we have jobs, lives, dealing with driving ourselves to the rink to practices and the dedication it takes to be an adult figure skater is a lot. You GO GIRL!!!! Rooting for you!!!

[@reginayan]

Thanks so much!!! Rooting for you too

[@McKelT]

@@reginayan thank youuuu! So inspiring truly 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@user-yd4je6nb3z]

I love this video so much it has really encouraged me to start making a program for a new competition! I love how you edited the vid and also explained the stress and the build up it’s so relatable and good to know others can relate ❤

[@mollylinder5037]

I love this so much! I am so lucky that I got to meet and compete against you this season! And also I LOVE the program! Sadly this was my first time watching it because I always skated after you haha. Can't wait to see what you accomplish next!!

[@MintyRay-yq3iw]

Regina, I want you to know how much I needed this video. I haven't heard of you, and I wasn't looking for a video specifically on this topic. I am also an adult skater with a crazy, "unrealistic" dream. I was just looking online at various skating videos for inspiration because i couldn't sleep and saw this. First of all, your story is so eerily similar to mine that it's uncanny. And I've honestly never quite kinned with anyone so hard lol. I also grew up obsessed with skating. I would do little "rituals" much like your sleeping habit because I was a perfectionist. Your tenacity shows so hard and it reminds me to trust in mine. I had to quit skating at my (hopefully former) peak due to financial, family, and mental health reasons. I tried to get back into skating multiple times, but much like moments in your story, Murphy's Law seemed to apply, and I kept having to step back. I got into skating more consistently in college, too. But mental illness, overthinking, and bad life circumstances set me back and slowed my progress. I had one of the worst mental health crises of my life a few weeks ago. I had to be hospitalized just when I thought I was doing better. But the pain made me a stronger person and even though I am still struggling, I've found that believing in myself and relaxing with friends makes all the difference (just like you said!) I went skating for the first time in weeks a few days ago, and because of the fact that I kept up my physical fitness even when I was feeling awful, along with my new mindset, I landed the jumps I had lost/struggle with since my "peak" and skated for roughly two hours. The last time I skated before this, I would burn out after about 30 minutes. So I decided to just go for my crazy dream. I knew that having fun with it was key because I'm so prone to burning out. I love performing and doing ice shows, and I have side-sports I love. I have a plan, again it was eerily similar to yours, like the self choreographing, studying scoring system etc, as I am also tight on budget. Like you, I know the parh to get to my goal, i just have to work on getting as many points as possible due to my late start. But also know I have a long way to go and was doubting myself. I also 'spiral' super often (it's literally my main problem right now) and it was keeping me up in the middle of the night. But when I watched your video, you basically proved in every single way that my plan will work if I'm willing to stick with and keep a good mindset. And I am. So thank you. This video, your story, is incredible. Your editing and pacing is cinematic and I'm not exaggerating. I was literally holding my breath during the jump parts. And the ending was so shocking and amazing. You and this video are incredibly underrated, and your story is gonna help a lot of people ☺️❤

[@reginayan]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I wish you the best on your journey!! I've also found many adults skaters with similar backgrounds to mine, and I hope you continue finding joy, friends and fun in the process ❤⛸✨

[@cathydingg]

OMG YES I’m so proud of you queen! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 what a comeback

[@reginayan]

THANK YOU CATHY!!! Wishing you the best next season

[@dr.natashadaniels7573]

Girl you are such an inspiration 😢❤I’m literally sitting here in tears…. Inspired me so much to keep going even in the midst of hardship’s & troubles 🙏🏽🫶🏽 Congratulations & God bless you far beyond your imagination 🎉💪🏽

[@arielringo1657]

This was a phenomenal video!!! ❤ Such a great story

[@tabeasander6103]

Girl you nailed it - that video is perfect.🤩 Your journey is so inspirational and the video is so well rounded. Chapeau for your skating and editing skills ❤

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Regina, what a wonderful journey! Jan and I were captivated by your story. Very inspirational and a well done video. Thank you for sharing! You are an awesome example of determination and never giving up. Have a wonderful day, Steve

[@reginayan]

@@steveretiredandcycling Steve, thanks so much for watching!! Been following your adventures too and hope to ride the C&O + Gap soon. Wishing you and Jan the best!

[@cana6228]

this is so inspirational!! i was so nervous before the sectionals part of the video and empathsizing so hard

[@anomalily]

Aww this video is so cute! I'm also a biker who skates, I came back to skating after 16 year a few years ago. No desire to compete again but you make it look fun! I also bike to the rink, which requires a 31-mile round-trip bike ride. Rough with a full-time job!

[@reginayan]

31 miles!! That's quite the trek, hats (helmets?) off to you!! Yeah I don't have a desire to compete anymore, but maybe shows and other fun-focused events? :D

[@marlowsmith42]

this is so inspiring! i love your positivity ❤

[@reginayan]

@@marlowsmith42 thanks for watching! Easy to be positive when you’re having fun ;)

[@carlycarbonate]

i love this video! it’s so inspiring. your mentality about the fall is such a make or break for me. when i just say fuck it, im better than this and it goes great. thank you for sharing your story with us. congrats!! you worked so hard for this.

[@pri5808]

so inspiring ❤

[@amandazhou5866]

Wow so fun to hear about your skating journey! Thanks for sharing.

[@reginayan]

Amanda!! Thank YOU for watching

[@maeskates]

This video IS SO WELL done! Congratulations (for the video and obviously for what you accomplished!). You had me holding my breath all along haha I hope I can make it to nationals next year, it is a dream of mine!

[@reginayan]

Best wishes to you!! And thank you for watching - I don't know how content creators do it, this video took me FOREVER to make haha :D

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

LMFAO I have also tried to fall asleep in my air position 😭 or occasionally i’ve woken up practicing my positions because i was having a skating dream 🫡

[@Pomponnitek]

Congrats!!

[@andrewgoorhuis]

Love this!

[@TheWrightSistersSkating]

Wow, so inspiring! Your determination and dedication to skate is so encouraging to me as an adult skater as well! Hope to see more of your journey and perhaps at the next Adult Nationals!

[@reginayan]

@@TheWrightSistersSkating Thanks so much for watching!! Adult skating is sooo fun, wishing you the best!

[@kukuruyukyukyuk]

very informative and inspiring

[@ld8162]

I see higher and higher level of adult figure skating with each year… ❤

[@elenaks1020]

Go Coach Grant! He rocks!Your illusion spin is beautiful!! So inspiring girl!

[@reginayan]

Hey thanks so much for watching! Yeah crazy how much of a difference a good coach makes :D

[@ktl7518]

I'm loving this; so similar to mine. I competed again as an adult in the 23/24 season, and It was a blast! I started preparing in 2022, which is comparable to your plan. Our competition times were also similar! I related so much to your journey. I hope you will consider competing from time to time. As adults, we don't need to be perfect. We stay because of the friendship we make during the competitions :)

[@reginayan]

Thanks for watching! So glad you've been having a great experience too :D And you're totally right, maybe I won't be stressed if I reframe competitions as "weekend to hang out with friends" hahaha

[@Def1qnt]

OMG THIS IS AWESOME!!!! Congrats!!! love seeing the Glen Brook skating! btw this is brandon from waldorf/glen brook winter camp

[@reginayan]

Brandon!! Yay!! thanks for watching :D Glen Brook is a magical place

[@MezzoSeren]

This is was so cool! I’m Patty’s friend! She was 2nd twice at nationals before winning so I’m sure you’ll reach that spot too! I loved watching your program at sectionals!

[@reginayan]

Thanks for watching!! Yeah Patty is awesome, so stoked for her win :D

[@wroscel]

Congratulations Regina! I started following you when you posted the ECG ride (which was a great video) and it's interesting to see how you excel in a wide variety of endeavors. I wish I had the work-life balance that you do when I was younger. Maybe we'll get to cross paths some day when you are biking on the East Coast again.

[@reginayan]

Thank you!! Haha yes hopefully will make my way back to the east coast - hoping to do GAP/C&O trail soon 🤞🏼

[@wroscel]

@@reginayan I've been on most of it so if you have any questions, let me know. Though I've heard some of the supporting businesses closed during Covid.

[@reuttal2633]

Can you please film all the warmups and workouts you did off ice? It will be very helpful. Thank you!

[@reginayan]

Hi!! I followed this youtube video for my off-ice warmups: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnLPdXh7atysl7s I don't do much for actual off-ice workouts other than simply climbing/biking/surfing. I do stretches and balance exercises like hitting all my spin positions (ex: pistol squat from sit spin position to camel-catch position), and youtube HIIT exercises. Otherwise nothing fancy :)

[@cathytussing4718]

Are you grandfathered into intermediate-novice? I think I am too, since I passed intermediate freestyle and 3rd figures. I’m 62, so have no desire to jump axel again, I admire your ability and determination a lot!!! Best wishes on your journey, with or without competition. Your skating is lovely.

[@reginayan]

Hello! Yep, grandfathered in to intermediate-novice (My highest tests were intermediate MIF and freeskate). USFS has a grandfathering chart here that says you could choose to compete Adult Gold or Int-Nov if you passed your intermediate freestyle prior to Oct. 1, 1991 -- www.usfigureskating.org/sites/default/files/media-files/2023-24%20Adult%20Singles%20Eligibility%20Chart_1.pdf

[@ireneli7468]

Did you have to qualify for Sectionals?

[@reginayan]

@@ireneli7468 I did not! Adult sectionals don’t require qualification to attend, you can just sign up :)

[@ireneli7468]

@@reginayan Thank you for the reply! I'm planning on doing Adult skating competition next year (at a lower level). Watching this video was so helpful. Congratulations on 2nd place at Nationals!

[@shoupshermanwaypaprota5510]

What a fantastic journey! Congrats to you as all your hard work definitely paid off!! ❤️⛸️⛸️❤️