2010 Adult Nationals

[sdfigureskater]

Myself and my husband will be going to Bloomington the 2010 Adult Nationals in Bloomington April 14 through 17... Anybody been to Adult Nationals before?? Any tips?? Things to do in Minneapolis?? I've heard that the competition is really huge! We so excited...any tips??

[jazzpants]

Myself and my husband will be going to Bloomington the 2010 Adult Nationals in Bloomington April 14 through 17... Anybody been to Adult Nationals before?? Any tips?? Things to do in Minneapolis?? I've heard that the competition is really huge! We so excited...any tips??I've competed at Adults National last year and the year before. I think you're gonna be inspired to skate after watching all these adults a lot like you come out and skate.

Bloomington is the city where the GREAT MALL OF AMERICA is. Better be prepared to go SHOPPING at a really BIG MALL!!! :mrgreen:

I'm not going this year though. I'm taking a hiatus from competing. Will be back when a few things dealing with my skating has been resolved. :)

[techskater]

There's a lot to do in M-SP but typically no matter where ANs are, everyone spends their time in the rink. I've been to a lot of ANs and I've learned some valuable lessons:
unless your spouse skates, leave him/her at home. It will save a lot of arguments (I want to go to the Twins game! But honey, the Championship Masters Ladies are tonight!) :roll:
make sure to meet lots of new people and hang out a lot with your friends
ANs is the one big party per year where all 500 of us get together as a celebration of what we are still able to do/have learned to do in the last year. ALWAYS go to the competitors party. :P
Do what you need to do to prepare yourself, don't worry about others

[coskater64]

The competition is great and watching all the different skaters is always fun! I like the comedic interp programs and you get to see things you might not see. I had never seen adult pairs until my first sectionals, nor had I seen an adult free dance. I learned about compulsory dances and all the levels as well, it is all a very interesting and eye opening experience. If at all possible meet all the folks in your group and watch the group above you so you can see what you should shot for in the future. When I was silver I watched the gold ladies in total awe. When I was gold I watched the masters ladies and wondered if I would ever get there, as a masters lady currently, I think I'd like to go back to gold, but...I worked hard to get where I am so...I'll stay here.

There is a lot to do in M-SP the website for ANs is up and lists restaurants and things to do in the area. If at all possible go to the competitiors party it is always a blast. Usually, there is a social dance the next day if you ice dance.

:lol::lol:

[RachelSk8er]

unless your spouse skates, leave him/her at home. It will save a lot of arguments (I want to go to the Twins game! But honey, the Championship Masters Ladies are tonight!) :roll:


I actually think if it's your first year at ANs, you haven't done a lot of adult competitions to where you know a lot of skaters, and you're not from a large club with other skaters going, bringing your spouse to your first ANs can actually be a good idea.

You do meet tons of people at ANs and the adult skating community becomes kind of an extended family, but unless you're at the point where you have fellow adult skaters who are your sidekicks and are almost always at your side, a spouse may be a good support to have there to help make sure you're getting where you need to be on time, eating often enough, staying relaxed, etc. And some people actually do bring their spouses/significant others whenever they can, there are some very good skating spouses out there who have become friends with many of the skaters themselves over the years.

That being said, there are still a lot of us who leave them at home because they don't like sitting at the rink all day, we don't want to feel like we have to entertain them, it's just cheaper to leave them home, or we make skating girls' trips and leave the boys home to have their own fun doing guy stuff. Others are very supportive by staying home all week with the kids so that their skater can go enjoy ANs.

Ultimately it just all depends on your spouse/sig other.

[jazzpants]

I agree with techskater. I personally would prefer NOT to take my spouse with me to Adults National b/c I will have enough stress as it is on my plate w/o having to worry about "keeping him company and entertained." I mean at most I can get DH to come to my lessons at NYC to film me for my secondary coach's entertainment. :twisted: (Inside joke...) But to meet me at my home rink on my Monday night session (to walk me to the car at night) requires an Act of Congress (and a sandwich waiting for him at the rink! :P ) Besides that, I would not have the freedom to spend time with my skating friends that I only see once a year (if that.)

I went to my first AN alone and I had a great time (though I did miss my hubby towards the end of that trip... :( ) Of course, my situation is a bit different since I know a lot of the skaters through this board and other skating boards LONG before I even I was eligible to go to AN. (My AN debut was literally YEARS in the making!!!) :mrgreen:

[Mel On Ice]

techskater - you know how I feel about the Twins...

depends on the spouse and duration of your time at AN. Last year, Dave had no choice in the 24/7 of the matter, but in other years, he'd have been bored after day 2. This year, he's going on a motorcycle trip on the East coast while I'm in balmy MN.

[Mr. Fan]

...or we make skating girls' trips and leave the boys home to have their own fun doing guy stuff.

Hey! Skating can be "guy stuff" too! ;)

[techskater]

techskater - you know how I feel about the Twins...

depends on the spouse and duration of your time at AN. Last year, Dave had no choice in the 24/7 of the matter, but in other years, he'd have been bored after day 2. This year, he's going on a motorcycle trip on the East coast while I'm in balmy MN.

Yes, I know how you feel about the Twins. I was referencing the one time my spouse came to ANs with me. It was then and there that the "spouse rule" came into being for me! :o

[sdfigureskater]

Thanks so much for all of these great tips! Not only can you guys skate but you're funny too!! Thanks again Laura Lynn

[mskater]

My tip to a new comer (I've competed once and was a spectator once). Get acclimated early with the rink and the locker rooms, registration, etc. That way when it's your turn (OMG) you won't be as nervous:] Also, grab a schedule and hi-light events you definitely want to watch and plan your shopping and eating around the skating. Other than that, just enjoy and introduce yourself to as many people as you can.

Cheers!