Adult Midwestern Sectionals

[jskater49]

Is anyone going? I am. The bad news for me is that they have a no-test competition, which is the level I would be competitive at since my jumps are a waltz, half-flip and half lutz (working on a salchow but not sure I"ll be ready to put that in by then) but I've past my pre-bronze free test so I'll have to compete at that level. But the good news is that it looks like there are enough competitors that I'll skate against women my age (nearing 50) instead of 20 year olds like I usually do. And I don't mind coming in last, I just like to go out and skate pretty.

I'm also competing in solo Rhythm Blues and the Cha cha.

Anyone else?

J

[manleywoman]

I'll be in Masters Ladies. I'm really hoping I don't come in 5th for the umpteenth time. Being bridesmaid sucks. And as this may be my last ANs for a while and it's in my hometown, I really really want to make it in. But I know many of the ladies have at least through 2flip, and some have through 2lutz, and right now my 2flip is hit or miss, so I can't afford any mistakes.

[daisies]

Manleywoman, why will it be your last AN for a while, if you don't mind my asking?

[techskater]

I'm headed to Mids. Hoping to skate well enough to make in Championship Gold Ladies (and like Manleywoman not be 5th - again!) since ANs is in my hometown also so it would be really awesome! I am also skating open Gold and Masters Interp.

Yeah, Manleywoman, why your last for awhile? We'd miss you!

[manleywoman]

Honestly, just tired. I've done 10 years competitively, and it's a lot of work and investment. So I may just work on finishing the last few tests I have (Senior MIF, Junior and Senior Free, and 3rd and 4th figure . . . don't need to go higher than 4th!). But I do like competing, so I may change my mind. I'm leaving it open.

But I'm a bit discouraged about Masters Ladies at Mids. I've heard of a few youngins' that live close to Chicago, all former high-level skaters who just want to do Adult Nationals this ONE time because it's local for them. And while it's perfectly legal and okay for them to do so, and I'm hardly one to discourage new skaters from joining the adult ranks, it is a bit frustrating on my end to have skaters just come once and beat me and then disappear, when i've shown up again and again and again and made 5th or 6th at Sectionals over and over. They have all deserved it and it's fine, but it's frustrating for the bridesmaid who keeps getting older and more rickity with time!:lol: (and the one time I came in 6th it was completely my fault, as I really had a bad performance, so that one was ALL me!)

So I'll just do the best program I can do, hopefully the 2flip makes an appearance, and I leave it to the judges while i go grab a shot of vodka!

[jazzpants]

Honestly, just tired. I've done 10 years competitively, and it's a lot of work and investment. So I may just work on finishing the last few tests I have (Senior MIF, Junior and Senior Free, and 3rd and 4th figure . . . don't need to go higher than 4th!). But I do like competing, so I may change my mind. I'm leaving it open.Hopefully you'll change your mind by the time I go to AN in 2008 so I can finally meet you. ;) (I know... don't count on it...) :(

I understand your situation. I'm still in "competition hiatus" myself now... and am seeing the benefits of it. I would have never qualified for AN now if I didn't take that break back after Adult Sectionals 2006. Though I had hoped that I would be ready to come back to compete at AN 2007, my wallet says my hiatus is going to be just a tad longer. Not complaining though. I'm enjoying the much needed "rest" and it's fun working on new stuff. ;)

WOW! Up to Senior MIF and FS and going for 3rd/4th figures??? 8O I'm cheering for 'ya on that!!! :bow:

(Psst. you guys on the Midwestern Sectionals... any liquor stores nearby for those vodka nips to throw on the ice for manleywoman...gotta send her off on her hiatus on the right note...) ;)

[Terri C]

Is it me or are there quite a few of us out there that are taking a hiatus from competing to get tests passed?
My hiatus was supposed to have ended after I passed Bronze moves in December. However, work commitments ( colleague cutting hours from full time to flexi) leaving me with only 2 days a week to skate if that, and now a injury have extended my hiatus even longer.
All I want is to jump again without painful landings, skate on a regular basis and that Bronze freestyle test!

[Thin-Ice]

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems if I'm focused on competing, I don't spend as much time as I should/would like on improving elements or moves. So count me among those taking time off from competition. I usually do Sectionals, but not always and this will be only the 2nd AN I've missed since the event started in 1995. I expected to feel a sense of regret when the deadline passed and I had not registered and an even bigger sense of that when all my rinkmates were focusing on their competition programs, but to be honest, all I feel is a sense of relief. I DO plan to do some local competitions... but that will be this summer or later. And I am enjoying working on moves and cleaning up some elements that had been inconsistent. I also will be back at AN next year.. wherever it ends up being. I really enjoy competition... especially AN because it's a chance to see all the friends I've made over the years and make new ones.

[coskater64]

Well I'll be at mids and champ masters, not that I am even remotely competitive, I just like to skate, won't stop anytime soon. Who knows what will happen...8O

[Debbie S]

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems if I'm focused on competing, I don't spend as much time as I should/would like on improving elements or moves. Definitely true for me. My reasons for not attending AN this year are mostly financial, but I also realized that even if I comfortably had the means to go, it was still a lot of money (and time) to spend to go to Chicago and skate for a minute and a half (I'm Bronze), and in my case, probably finish last. I decided it would make more sense to work on becoming a better skater (improving my elements, passing Silver MIF), and saving the money I would have spent on AN to use for something else.

I thought I would feel regret when the deadline passed, too, but I don't - I'm looking forward to passing (maybe this year?) Silver MIF and then eventually (maybe?) Gold MIF. To me, it's a bigger accomplishment to get a gold medal in (Adult) moves than it is to compete at AN - but that's just me. I'm not sure I'm even interested in competing in FS anymore. I would only do it if I was a much better skater, b/c I've decided it's pointless to spend money on competitions unless I'm competitive.

[manleywoman]

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems if I'm focused on competing, I don't spend as much time as I should/would like on improving elements or moves.
Exactly. If we were kids who skated all day in the summer when school was out to work on new elements, that would be one thing. But it is hard to get all your testing and learning in when you have to keep a program up to snuff.

[jskater49]

Well I'm no where near as accomplished as you all but I need a goal, and practicing for a competition helps me get better. I usually just plan on being last (although at my last comp, I got lucky, there was one other person in my group and would't you know, I was better that time so I have one gold medal) which doesn't bother me a bit. My daughter also competes so it's fun to go with her and it's just fun to get out there. This this comp is just for me but my daughter is coming along to put me on the ice.

J

[sk8er1964]

Hi everybody! (I haven't been here much lately.)

I will be at Mids too. I will be skating in the Champ Gold also.

[daisies]

Thin-Ice, I will miss you!!!

[jazzpants]

Exactly. If we were kids who skated all day in the summer when school was out to work on new elements, that would be one thing. But it is hard to get all your testing and learning in when you have to keep a program up to snuff.Yup! You just expressed partly why I went on "competition hiatus." I think if I had not competed after the second time that I've tried Bronze moves (and had a retry then), that I would have probably tested Bronze moves and FS at the beginning of last year. (Then again, it's kinda hard to turn down Sectionals when it's within a 20 mile radius to home, never mind all the wonderful people I did meet while I was there!!! :D :bow: )

I knew that after Sectionals though that I was going to take a LOOOOONG break to get my tests out of the way and to do some MAJOR "technical catch-up" so that at least I look like a Bronze FS level skater. (And NO AMOUNT of nagging on primary coach's part to go to Chicago was gonna change my mind!!! And those of you who know my primary coach know how very well he can nag!!! :roll: :twisted: :lol: :P )

Frankly, $1000 is way too much money for me to spend only about 3-4 days just to skate an ill-prepared BRAND NEW program. I really don't have that type of money anyway! I need to pay off property taxes. I have to pay off car maintanance and I'm replacing my current skates b/c they're over two years old and wearing down. (I've already burned the cassette for my old program! Besides, I was told at Sectionals that the USFSA rules states that cassettes are no longer allowed.) I'd rather save up more money and go the next year and stay for the Championship events and the AN competition party!!! (And God forbid my boss also reads this thread, I NEED A SALARY RAISE!!!) :evil:

[flo]

Jazz - AN will be ready when you are! I want to know when it will be in Lake Placid again so I can rent the house!

[jazzpants]

And just so I don't shanghai the thread... I doubt LivesToSkate/Burton is reading this so if any sees him, please say hi for me to him at Midwestern Adult Sectionals (assuming that he's going this year...)

And well, well well! Look who the cat dragged in! :P Hi, sk8er1964!!! :D

[sk8er1964]

And well, well well! Look who the cat dragged in! :P Hi, sk8er1964!!! :D

:lol: meow!

Rumor has it that 2008 AN will be in either Lake Placid (probably) or Grand Rapids.

ETA - tentative schedule is up on the website. http://www.braemarfsc.org/2007adultmids/2007_Competition_Schedule.DOC

[manleywoman]

Wow. THe Championship events are so early.

[jazzpants]

Wow. THe Championship events are so early.Even more interesting... that this year's Sectionals is just ONE DAY 8O (I hope this is not a trend either....)

[daisies]

Even more interesting... that this year's Sectionals is just ONE DAY 8O (I hope this is not a trend either....)
PCAS is two days, so it's surprising that Mids is only one, since there are more skaters in the Midwestern section!

[doubletoe]

Frankly, $1000 is way too much money for me to spend only about 3-4 days just to skate an ill-prepared BRAND NEW program. I really don't have that type of money anyway! I need to pay off property taxes.

Oh yeah, Jazzpants, thanks for reminding me what I SHOULD have been doing with all the money I spend on skating: actually buying property! :frus:

[jazzpants]

Oh yeah, Jazzpants, thanks for reminding me what I SHOULD have been doing with all the money I spend on skating: actually buying property! :frus:
HEY! I didn't know you don't own property!!! 8O

Don't feel too bad. You might save on taxes from the IRS, but the cost to maintain a home... well, they don't call it a house "money pits" for nuttin, 'ya know... :evil: 8O :roll: And I really scrimped and saved to get the down payment. No $300 jeans or eating out at expensive restaurants for me, that's for sure! :lol: (But still worth it in the long run, though...)

PCAS is two days, so it's surprising that Mids is only one, since there are more skaters in the Midwestern section!THAT is interesting. And I did noticed that they've combined ALL the Pre-Bronze Ladies skaters in all the age groups to ONE BIG 11 skater event. 8O (Same with the Bronze Ladies skaters (7 skaters.) I don't see any Bronze Ladies I and II event either...)

Hmmmm... :??

BTW to anyone: Is it still unconfirmed as to where the next PCAS is going to be at?

[Thin-Ice]

Thin-Ice, I will miss you!!!

Thanks! That's so sweet! I'm know I will REALLY miss all my AN friends and the camraderie and the chance to see everyone's programs -- especially during the week all my rink training-mates are in Illinois and I'm the only adult on the ice with the kids. But I will be with all of you in spirit.. and then back in 2008.

At competitions, I don't care where I finish in the standings (which is a really good thing, since if I have a "skate of a lifetime" I'm towards the middle of the pack anyway!).. as long as I have a chance to get out there and prove to myself I've improved since the last time.

:oops: Sorry to hijack the Mids thread!