World Qualifier

So after 15 years of on and off dancing I have QUALIFIED FOR WORLDS! I have always done very well at the ECRO and Nans, and although I have been close many times I have never qualified for worlds. FINALLY! Hard work does pay off.

My first 2 rounds were okay, although some how the girl who I danced with and I collided in both rounds. We discussed backstage our movements but for some reason we ended up bumping into each other anyways. I think the bump in the softshoe round really hurt my scores, but I was fortunate to recall.

My set, Drunken Gauger, is the longest set I have ever done. Although my rhythm is fantastic my stamina has never been my strong suit, but I am very happy how I performed it on the weekend.

I'm please about how everything went on the weekend and have began counting down the days until worlds, 142. Let the hard work continue! Thanks for your kind words and encouragement after my last post :)

Much Love,

Maggie

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Comment by Margaret Wilkins on December 2, 2011 at 2:29pm: Thank you Aisling for your comment. My advice to any "older" senior lady competitor is work your butt off. I know it doesn't sound like much advice but when you are our age competing with very talented, younger ladies you need to be fit. I don't just mean go to dance class and work hard, that's important too, but cross-train. When I was younger I didn't realize how important crosstraining was. Crosstraining means, if you need to work on your stanima start running or biking more often. If your posture needs work make sure you're doing lots of abs, back, shoulder strengthening.

As we know, Irish dance is not easy, and never will be. If anything Irish dance is getting harder by the day, with new fancy moves and challenges. You have to go into a competition knowing you have done everything possible to train for that moment, and whatever happens, happens.

Good Luck with your dancing :)

Comment by Aisling on December 2, 2011 at 4:28am: that is so fantastic, i'm one year older than you and i've been struggling after a major ankle injury last year... any tips for us older dancers who really want to reach as high as possible and maybe stand where you are standing in the next ... millenium? haha ok, in the next year or so? congrats on your qualifying you are an inspiration and appear statuesque!!!

Comment by Ginny on November 29, 2011 at 11:58pm: 9th is really great! Your first two couldn't have been all that bumpy! :D Congrats! :)

Comment by Margaret Wilkins on November 23, 2011 at 1:54am: I placed 9th out of 36. Which like I said in my blog post, I'm happy with considering how "bumpy" my first 2 rounds were

Comment by Ginny on November 23, 2011 at 1:18am: Congratulations! That is my dream. How did you place exactly?

Comment by Caroline S. on November 20, 2011 at 10:04pm: Congratulations!!!!! That's amazing. Good luck.

Comment by Deirdre F. on November 18, 2011 at 4:15am: Okay, I will keep that in mind. I am going to try my very hardest, I want to do well at my first feis, and beyond that!

Comment by Margaret Wilkins on November 18, 2011 at 3:42am: Deirdre, never give up. you're at the beginning of your journey now. The road isn't easy but if you want it bad enough and work really hard you'll get there.

Comment by Deirdre F. on November 18, 2011 at 3:40am: That's amazing! I just started Irish 3 months ago,-going to my first feiseanna in Jan. And Feb. Congrats to you, I hope I get to worlds one day!