Today is a new day and another chance to skate great! Today is Bronze Solo Free Dance and it's a large group since they combine both the I and II age groups.
Practice Ice - My practice Ice yesterday was so good. All of my spins were hitting and I was feeling pretty confident. Today was the exact opposite. I could not center even a simple one foot spin and the more I tried and failed, the more anxious I became about things. Aghghghghg. Thirty minutes was over before I knew it and I had just enough time before my event to take my skates off and decompress a bit. Decompressing helped. And I remembered Christopher's advice to do some breathing exercises. That helped too.
Warmup Ice - Right after our warm up was concluded, the Referee called us to the podium to remind us to skate around the slushy hole. I was not a victim to the slush today! Wahoo!
Solo Free Dance - You know all those troubles I had with spins earlier? They were not a concern by the time I got out there and skated my program. In fact, this is the best I have ever skated this routine. EVER. My timing was spot on with the music, I had expression, my spins spun, and my twizzles twizzled. It was awesome! This is what I wanted to feel when I stepped onto Nationals Ice!
Results - LOL. Oh, the results. Well, despite skating beautifully, I still only placed 10th out of 12 skaters (ordinals were 8,10,10,11,8). And you know what? I'm okay with that. I allowed myself to be disappointed for little bit but watching the other dancers perform their routines, I can see that there is more to do to enhance my skills. My good friend and Unicorn Sister, Cheryl, said that I need more skills performed on one foot, there was a lot of two footed skating happening. I really appreciate that kind of honesty and she's right. There is a lot more work to be done still as I grow in Ice Dance. But anyway, that's future Mandi's problem. Right now, I'm focusing on the fact that I'm done! I made it! It's over! I survived 2023 Adult Nationals!
Final Thoughts - OMG! I had so much FUN! My events were the first two days and then I got to spend the rest of the week watching amazing skating by even more amazing adults. The oldest of whom was 83 years old! Wow! That means I have roughly 40-ish years to continue to enjoy this beautiful and challenging sport. I'm inspired and in awe of everyone who participated. It takes courage to get out there and do what we do and I just felt like I was with my people. Next year is Cleveland, OH and you better believe I'll be there. 10/10 would recommend :)
I come home empty handed but with a full heart.
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