Danielle Destroys the Road To The Pittsburgh Pro: Pittsburgh Reflections

Details: Published on Sunday, 13 May 2012 00:07; Written by Danielle Ruban

Danielle Destroys the Road To The Pittsburgh Pro: Pittsburgh Reflections

Pittsburgh! It was a huge show. About 300 competitors and jam packed with high caliber contestants.

Going into this show I wanted to improve my score in the routine round. Instead of just one song I had three mixed. I did this to make things more dyn pitt2 amic and interesting. So with my new music Ihad to come up with a new routine. Idid make up with a new routine but only two weeks ago due to the fact thatgetting the music cut took longer than I anticipated. The main goal I had for this show was to have a clean run in the routine round and I am so happy to say I did! I have beennursing a minor shoulder injury for the last three weeks so never tried to do the routine full out. I just did pieces and a lot of mental rehearsal. I am very proud I set out dot what I aimed to do and had a clean routine AND placed better in the routine round!

Now having said that I believe I may have lost focus of some other aspects of the competition. I will share some of the errors I made. First of all I was pretty stressed about the routine round and so I felt somewhat unprepared. This may have shown in my overall level of confidence in both rounds. I think the main thing I messed up on was my tan. The last two shows I have been a bit too light so I went overboard and made my color too dark. I also did something stupid and mixed two different products together! Maybe if I hadn’t been so pre-occupied with my routine I would have thought things through and realized that mixing the products was a BAD idea. The result was I was so dark and muddy looking and could not see my physique. I was so excited to present my physique this show and it was hidden by my tan mishap. I am disappointed in myself for messing up such a simple thing like color.

Another thing I think wasn’t at its best was my posing. I figured that I had done it so many times I didn’t practice it as much as in the past. I know I struggle with one pose in particular and I definitely didn’t hit it. Again, an example of lack of focus and preparation.
I will be honest, I could not visualize my performance this show. I had somewhat of a “I’ll see how it goes” attitude. That is NOT how competing goes! You must believe and have confidence in everything. I did not this time. In a way, I went through the motions at this show.

lI am truly happy that this happened. I needed a good kick in the butt. You can’t just wing it at the pro Level. You have to be ON all the time and pay attention to every detail. I did not show my true potential at this show and I am not going to let that happen again.
I was close to making top 3 but I lost points in my lack of attention to the details. Everything counts and nothing is ever overlooked.
I received feedback from the head judge and I now have a clear vision of what I need to do for the next show. You first need to lose to know how to win.

I am putting my whole heart and head into preparing for the Toron pitt to Super Show. Mistakes are only mistakes if you repeat them. I will take what I learned in Pittsburgh and use it to grow as a Pro Competitor.

I have a good feeling about Toronto and I can’t wait to show everyone what I am truly capable of!

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Special Thank you to my sponsors Revolution Nutrition and Cynthia James Elite Competition Wear.