Retry

Well, I did not pass my junior moves this Sunday. Three retrys across the board. I came close in points with all the judges, but not close enough.

I was really nervous and stiff in the warm-up. I kept thinking, "Why are you out here?" However, I walked around the lobby and loosened up before the test. The referee was one of the skating parents who took his daughter to the before-school practices with me when I was a teenager. He stayed involved in skating by becoming a judge. Small world.

As I progressed through each move, I felt better and could count down to the end. I skated the test well, just not quite to perfection. The judges comments alluded to me being cautious, i.e. slower than when I was a teenager!

I am a little disappointed in not passing after practicing the past few months, but I know what to focus on over the next couple of months to pass before the big change in the fall! Glad I got it out there. I think I'll do way better next time just based on having this one as a practice to get back in the game.

Really?

"Really?" This is the phrase that keeps going through my mind as I'm taking my Junior Moves In The Field test this weekend.

Really - I'm 31 and the last time I took a test was in my teens.

Really - I just got a promotion in the midst of prepping for a record summer of online courses with my clients and I'm working 8 - 8 plus taking work home.

Really - I'm scared out of my mind!

I'll still go through with it. I'm not sure how I'll fair, but I think my coach wouldn't let register for the test session if I wasn't ready. I've just not done a complete run through of the test as my practice sessions can get busy. I'm nervous on being by myself on the ice in front of three judges and going through each element. I so wish I could just skate a synchro routine with several other skaters!

Ah well, it's about the journey anyway. I'm glad I've worked toward the goal of passing this test before the new moves are put into place this September.