Aw, sorry you didn't make it this time. I think you have a good approach to training for the next try though. I've been consoling myself with iced de-caf coffee with a shot of no-cal chocolate syrup and a little milk. I think I might grind up the ice and turn it into a no-cal coolatta.

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Sorry to hear that you didn't pass. I guess knowing what to do in practice and doing it for a test is a whole different ball game.

I freaked out on my dance test too but thankfully at the prelim level I was graced by the fact that it isn't a requirement to have the pattern completely right, nor to have expression. I was so freaking out over the fact that I had to test in a smaller rink than in what I practised that I didn't breathe until the test was done (stone faced) and the first part was way too big with the second too small. I know that I'm going to have to practice being tested before testing again because I don't think I can get a way with what happened in my prelim dance test in the junior bronze dance tests.

What we both have to do is to have our coaches get someone to pretend to test us for about a month before test day, so that we can calm down during testing. I don't know why but I'm no longer nervous during competitions, so why am I a nervous wreck for testing? Hmmmm?

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"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

Ice: I just spent the week on vacation. It was super fun.

Heat: I got fat. My pants were super tight by the end of the week and now all my clothes fit differently. I also didn't step foot onto the ice.

Wow - I didn't know you could do that! Thanks.

cbny - I will let you know - we might be there the week of the 13th. It's all very last-minute...

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Is Portland the only city with it's own ice-dance website? http://www.pdxicedance.net/

That's how I do just about everything .

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Burning Heat: I continue to struggle with the toe loops. If I can do any, it's usually the first couple and then I'm lost after that. I also struggled with the salchow. At one point I landed 9 in a row putting a hand down on the ice. The only one I landed was the crappiest one of the lot.

Cool Ice: Did a great axel! It totally made my day. My loops were really good. I got the speed up and the rotation was easy. I think (hope) I've finally figured it out. Everytime I think I'm on to something I usually can't follow it up. Even thought I bobbled my salchows, they were pretty good otherwise.

***Hugs*** The Kilian is a fiendish dance, and, I imagine, horrendously difficult to pass! You will get there in the end. Is there something else you could work on for awhile to take your mind off it - maybe some Moves tests or something you could do? - or are you stuck until you do pass it? Which you will, sooner or later.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I'm not stuck without it, I could test moves or 2 other dances. Jenlyon had the same idea, and I think you may both be right. I'm currently working on Paso for a competition in 2 weeks, so I may just keep working on that one to get it up to test-ready status. I've also put moves on the back burner for a long time & I should really get out there & give them a try as well. So I might try your suggestion & see if it helps.

Thanks for everyone's condolences! I'm feeling better about it now, & am also doing some research on sports psychology to see if I can pick up any good ideas to help me.

My other bad thing was my best friend, who does NOT understand skating, my passion for it, or anything about how the whole thing works, spent a good part of last night arguing that I should never test again, and just skate for fun, since "this isn't any fun for you any more." Which is totally untrue, and made me feel even worse. I know we've had some conversations here about friends/family who don't understand, and it is indeed very trying sometimes!

Very true. This dance is deceptively difficult. Upon first glance, you'd think it'd be a breeze because there's not that many turns (aside from the choctaw, really) and it can begin to feel like you're simply skating crossovers and strokes. But it's those two outside edges that often trip skaters up. If you fail to take them deep enough, it's usually over. That's what I mean by deceptively difficult.

One thing you can work on that the judges loved when I tested this dance a year or so ago was the peppy, upbeat presentation aspect of it. While I had a few comments about how I could have went deeper on the outside edges, I believe it was the bubbly, light presentation that saved me. The judges loved it and I got so many nice comments for that. Plus, it may help you with your nerves if you're thinking ...smile, head up, light, happy, smile... rather than oh, my god...this is a scary!

Good luck with this dance. I'm sure you'll get it next time around and be even more prepared!

(((phoenix))) Sorry to hear about your Killian dance test. Yes, good idea about taking another dance test in the mean time to knock those other obstacles off. Less things to take up the mind when you do finally get back to it and try again.

Burning Heat:
I did NOT have a lot of time to skate today. I was very busy trying to prepare for a visit for a friend who just had a baby boy. (And phoenix, I sympathize about the non-skating friend who means well. The "new mom" friend was pushing for me to give up skating and just concentrate on my job and "having the child that my husband so much wanted b/c he's so good with kids." (Ummm... did I miss a memo that my husband put out? Last I've checked, *I'M married to him* and he told me that we're BOTH not ready to be parents??? And he wouldn't DARE ask me to give up my skating!!! That's asking for a DEATH SENTENCE!!! )

Also, after I skated, my lower back was giving me trouble... and I just had my chiro appt. this past Friday too! Not good! (Now sitting on a heated blanket wrapped around my waist. Awwwww!!! )

Sit spin is majorly warped b/c of the lower leg position. MUST... TURN... FREE...FOOT... OUT... (Never mind trying to get back up on that spinning leg... )

Practiced choreography for new program. Should be interesting how I'm gonna make it look as polished as my choreographer demonstrated it.

Cool Ice:
Did some really good jumps... got up to a lutz!!! Nice lift on the flip this afternoon and the same with the lutz, though not as good as the flip.

In between skating is pretty decent so far.

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!