Thanks for the context - have only done Ohio once and don't remember getting called out on anything.
pre-competition disorder
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Thanks for the context - have only done Ohio once and don't remember getting called out on anything.
7 days to comp. Last one was 10 months ago. Strangely calm and organized. A couple of years ago, I was getting serious panic attacks that got so bad, they were triggered by entering ANY hotel, even on vacation, so I am proud and happy that I found strategies to eliminate that. No sign of anxiety related symptoms at all. All new open latin choreo pro made just for me and about 3 months old. I love my dances. Tried new dress last week in "dress rehearsal", on track for nails, hair and tan. Happy and confident with my shoes. Have easily digestible food plan for energy. Been working on stamina: good thing; I see I have 10 open latin dances in a row. Pre-comp Interaction with pro better: "This run through lesson, please tell me only 3 of your most important corrections for each dance, so I don't get overwhelmed." Ran routines in different studio with eyes on me, facing all different ways. Worked out directional confusion. Technique is a work in progress. Prepared to dance full out even if music is not good. Prepared mentally to shake off low results on the day. At my age, I'm lucky to dance at all. All around I see hip and knee replacements. Being grateful. Trying to have periods in the day when I think about or do something else besides dance to prevent burnout and stress. Have a plan for post dance socializing with supportive friend. Best of all, I'm dancing with virtually no pain, which makes a huge difference to my distractibility and confidence. I feel like a happy, dance soldier ready to show my stuff. It will be what it will be. Bring it on.
Wannabe Triple Threat
Member
Two weeks to go! I figure I'm not going to fix anything at this point, so I'm trying to just enjoy being in the moment and being present when I dance.
I have been practicing hair and makeup every chance I get and have managed to get both to just over two hours. I have also assembled possibly the most ridiculous emergency comp kit known to man!
All that's left is a few more lessons, hair/eyebrow/nail appointments, maybe making a bracelet for my Rhythm outfit, and actually going! I can do this.
I have been practicing hair and makeup every chance I get and have managed to get both to just over two hours. I have also assembled possibly the most ridiculous emergency comp kit known to man!
All that's left is a few more lessons, hair/eyebrow/nail appointments, maybe making a bracelet for my Rhythm outfit, and actually going! I can do this.
10tmf
Active Member
First comp coming up in just under a week and I flip from thinking "I've got this!" to "Oh my god, everything is awful. I'm going to do terribly and get disqualified! *panic* *panic* *panic*" pretty much every hour (I have a long and vast history of getting disqualified the first time I compete in anything).
That being said, I went ahead and signed up for as many events as I could because I figured that was the best way to get acclimated. We'll see how it goes, but I'm excited regardless. At the very least I'll get some new progress videos at the end of everything.
That being said, I went ahead and signed up for as many events as I could because I figured that was the best way to get acclimated. We'll see how it goes, but I'm excited regardless. At the very least I'll get some new progress videos at the end of everything.
FancyFeet
Forum Master
10tmf,
Ok.. veteran of two comps. I did a total of 3 dances at the first comp and something like 12 at the second. So take with a grain (or big block) of salt.
Up to a week before comp: have a third party (not you, not your pro) identify the most important things to "fix". Work on those. (If the problem is you designed your routine wrong, you should notice this now.) Sounds like you are past this point. Doesn't matter-- the time has passed.
During the week before the comp: focus on "just dancing"your routine. Work on facial expressions and trivial seeming stuff. Try to get your brain off "improving" and onto "showmanship". Especially the day before: just go through your routine a few times. Don't worry if sometimes it's rough and sometimes it's not. That's going to happen.
Ok.. you can't help noticing some things you want to fix. But mostly, recognize there is no time to fix anything major. But the goal right now is to get yourself used to not overthinking technique during the competition. During competition want to be thinking, "I'm super FABULOUS" and project that. Waggle your brow, smile, pretend you can project "I'm the sexy fabulous one!" while dancing. Now is the time to be practicing thinking about how fabulous you are during the dance. (Yes. You are fabulous. If prodding yourself to think this makes you laugh, that's fine. Light-heartedness is a good thing to project!)
During the comp: Try to have fun. Yeah... of course, hypothetically you can be disqualified. Don't worry about that right now. either you designed your program to fit the rules, your you didn't. During the comp: think about entertaining yourself, your pro, and if possible the audience and judges. And have as much fun as you can.
Ok.. veteran of two comps. I did a total of 3 dances at the first comp and something like 12 at the second. So take with a grain (or big block) of salt.
Up to a week before comp: have a third party (not you, not your pro) identify the most important things to "fix". Work on those. (If the problem is you designed your routine wrong, you should notice this now.) Sounds like you are past this point. Doesn't matter-- the time has passed.
During the week before the comp: focus on "just dancing"your routine. Work on facial expressions and trivial seeming stuff. Try to get your brain off "improving" and onto "showmanship". Especially the day before: just go through your routine a few times. Don't worry if sometimes it's rough and sometimes it's not. That's going to happen.
Ok.. you can't help noticing some things you want to fix. But mostly, recognize there is no time to fix anything major. But the goal right now is to get yourself used to not overthinking technique during the competition. During competition want to be thinking, "I'm super FABULOUS" and project that. Waggle your brow, smile, pretend you can project "I'm the sexy fabulous one!" while dancing. Now is the time to be practicing thinking about how fabulous you are during the dance. (Yes. You are fabulous. If prodding yourself to think this makes you laugh, that's fine. Light-heartedness is a good thing to project!)
During the comp: Try to have fun. Yeah... of course, hypothetically you can be disqualified. Don't worry about that right now. either you designed your program to fit the rules, your you didn't. During the comp: think about entertaining yourself, your pro, and if possible the audience and judges. And have as much fun as you can.
10tmf
Active Member
I actually had my coach's coach do this for me about two weeks ago! It was super helpful and I'm very glad she agreed to. It actually goaded us to change a couple of part in our routine.
I'm lucky enough that I already do this by default especially when I'm nervous hahaha. My kneejerk when I mess something up is to smile wider or laugh so as long as I don't over think that I should be okay.
Also, re: the disqualification fear I know 100% it's irrational it's just something that happened to me regularly the first time I compete in anything (since I started swimming competitively when I was around 6, followed me into water polo, my brief stint on a track team, etc.). The routines are fine and at this point, I can pretty much do them all in my sleep so rationally I know I'll be fine.
Normal. BTW, this is Paragon? On Saturday? PM me if you want a DF hello in person; I'll be there Saturday morning and will say hi
Purr
Forum Master
OSB coming up fast. Feeling pretty good about AT practice. Finally getting more stability on clockwise one-footed ballerina turnaround (sorry, don't know the name of this one). Also trying to get more continuity on AT close embrace. And more articulation of footwork; gauchos, boleos, rondes and leg crawls. Trying to remember it's only 4 entries, and they'll be over in a nanosecond. Still feeling some angst we are going to look funny, but we're dancing AT not ballroom. And so it goes.
This is a first, for me. So focused on upcoming comp, I left the house this morning in my fuzzy bedroom slippers. B/C I cannot concentrate on anything but comp.
Wannabe Triple Threat
Member
I may or may not be constantly checking for the heat lists instead of checking and writing emails...
Purr
Forum Master
I wouldn't say pre-competition disorder is setting it, but it's been on my mind. Yesterday I picked up a false eyelash kit and eye drops. It was my original intention just to buy eyelash glue, because I have false eyelashes, but I couldn't pass up the kit, which contained the eyelash glue, two pairs of lashes, and some tool, maybe an applicator. I'll practice with the eyelashes for the Halloween party tomorrow. It's not that I've not worn false eyelashes before - I have, many times - just not for awhile. And the last time I wore false lashes was a messy disaster. I don't think comp day is time to just hope for the best.
The eye drops are one of the new products on the market that get rid of redness. I tried it this morning. The directions said wait ten minutes between putting in contact lens. I waited thirty minutes, and everything is fine. I'm reasonably clear eyed. While I won't use the drops every day, certainly on comp day I will.
I've also been concerned about my teeth, because I'm a tea drinker, and tea stains teeth. So I've been using a special cleaner, as well as whitening mouthwash. The cleaner has helped improve the cosmetic result; I'm not sure the mouthwash has done anything. In any event, by comp day my smile will be white enough. Assuming, in fact, I smile at all.
The eye drops are one of the new products on the market that get rid of redness. I tried it this morning. The directions said wait ten minutes between putting in contact lens. I waited thirty minutes, and everything is fine. I'm reasonably clear eyed. While I won't use the drops every day, certainly on comp day I will.
I've also been concerned about my teeth, because I'm a tea drinker, and tea stains teeth. So I've been using a special cleaner, as well as whitening mouthwash. The cleaner has helped improve the cosmetic result; I'm not sure the mouthwash has done anything. In any event, by comp day my smile will be white enough. Assuming, in fact, I smile at all.
Wannabe Triple Threat
Member
All checked into the hotel! See you all on the other side in another thread!
Purr
Forum Master
More pre-competition disorder. Practiced with the false eyelashes Saturday, and it was another epic mess. 
I think for the comp I'm going to cut the lash strip to about 60% and glue on the outer lash line only.
I also purchased two cans of spray in hair color, one in medium brown and one in bronze. I like my hair color, but I'm in between color appointments, and I have white roots. The can says spray it on your hair, but I don't do that. Instead, I spray it on a wide toothed comb, and comb it through instead. That way I can control the amount better. I only do about 3 combings, one where my natural part is and one on each side of my face. It's enough.
I think for the comp I'm going to cut the lash strip to about 60% and glue on the outer lash line only. I also purchased two cans of spray in hair color, one in medium brown and one in bronze. I like my hair color, but I'm in between color appointments, and I have white roots. The can says spray it on your hair, but I don't do that. Instead, I spray it on a wide toothed comb, and comb it through instead. That way I can control the amount better. I only do about 3 combings, one where my natural part is and one on each side of my face. It's enough.