Essay Example: Successful Figure Skating Competition

Was your mind ever so blank yet so overwhelmed? Good morning class and Miss Giradello, today I will talk about a successful figure skating competition from this year.

The preparation for competing can be even more stressful than performing. As soon as I woke up, I started to visualize my performance in my head to prepare for when it would happen. I envisioned myself skating over and over entering some sort of “la-la land”. While I was stuck in “la-la land”, I had forgotten I had to get out of bed to eat breakfast. Luckily, the loud delightful yell from my mother reminded me. For all my competitions I make an effort to have the same breakfast. Savoury eggs with a side of fruit, yogurt, and bread. A peculiar habit of mine, but I feel cursed if I do not follow my habit.

After I devoured my breakfast like a pig would, I rushed to the bathroom to do my favourite part of getting ready, makeup. I got to take out all the expensive items I convinced my mom to let me buy, specifically for this occasion. I always exaggerate on eyeshadow, blush, and put on a prominent colour of lipstick to make sure all can see my facial expressions from afar. Once I finished my makeup I started doing my hair. I accomplished a decent-looking ponytail quickly and sprayed a gallon of hairspray on my head. I might have eaten some as well, as I had an odd taste stuck in my mouth for a few minutes. As soon as I had my dazzling eggplant-coloured costume on I started walking through my solo. I have a love-hate relationship with being in the spotlight alone, so walking through my solo helped me prepare for that moment. Before I left my house, I double-checked if I had everything including both skates. It may sound ridiculous but I have seen skaters forget one skate at home.

The car ride to get to the arena was soundless, precisely because I prefer it that way. I listened to certain songs to help me concentrate. For example, the song Lose Yourself. This song permits me to realize I have one shot because if I screw up there is no going back in time to land a jump or spin an extra turn. Every couple of minutes I checked on Google Maps to see how long it would take before arriving at the arena. As soon as it was five minutes, the nerves kicked in like a ton of bricks and I started to doubt myself; but before I knew it I was already at the arena.

My mom and I entered the building, checked in and I met my coach in the room where we were to tie our skates and change. For this specific competition, I was competing with my friend who helped me to keep cool and enjoy the moment. At that time my friend and I had an hour to warm up off ice before getting on the ice. The warm up consisted of running, jumping, and stretching. Technically we are supposed to be focused in our own bubble, but giggling with my friends made competing much more amusing.

After I finished warming up, I went to put on my skates. The nerves increased and a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttered in my stomach. As soon as I finished putting on my skates, another skater started vomiting in the room. I flew out of the room gagging from the sound of her vomiting continuously. It was not the most pleasant experience before getting on the ice.

Roughly five minutes before getting on the ice, all that was flowing through my mind were negative thoughts. What if I humiliated myself or what if I fell, what would people think about me then.Next I took my last sip of water before the announcer announced all the skaters’ names. I wished my friend luck and the dreadful six-minute warm up began. I tried to look presentable doing my best to land my jumps in the warm up. Luckily, I was thriving on the ice landing each jump as perfect as perfect could be. Toward the end of the warm up, I was skating around doing edges isolated from everyone else until the warm up was finished. As soon as I got off the ice, I realized the girl had vomited again, this time on the ice. I went ballistic because from what my friend saw I skinned the vomit but I did not even realize because of how focused I was. Soon after the worker at the arena passed the zamboni to make sure no one ends up in a puddle of vomit.

 Finally, it was my turn to perform my solo. All my preparation did not matter, all that mattered was my performance. My coach gave me a high five and reassuring nod and I went to the spot where I started. The music began and I lost my vision of everyone else and

 did what I had to do. My first jump was not perfect but I did not let that distract me. The rest of my jumps and spins were of optimum quality. The most challenging part was keeping a smile on my face through the whole solo while chasing my breath. Lastly, my music finished, I finished and I got off the ice. At that moment not only was my coach’s face glowing but so was mine.

Immediately after I got off the ice, I took off my skates to impatiently wait for the results. In the meantime, I waited in the stands watching other skaters perform until the score sheet was out. Examining the score sheet, not only was I thrilled at doing well in my points but also thrilled to have won first place. The outstanding outcome kept a smile on my face throughout the rest of the day.

I was able to learn that no matter what negative thoughts you are thinking, always push through and do your best. Thank you for listening to my presentation.