Will I embarrass myself?

[Hadley4000]

I am going to be in my first tournament next month. But, I am worried that I might embarrass myself with the times I hit. Here are my records and average for all of the events I'm entering.

3x3x3
Record - 26.88
Average - 45

3x3x3 OH
Record 1:10.something
Average 1:45

4x4x4
Record - 1:58.87
Average - 2:30

5x5x5
Record - 4:30.22
Average 4:50

Magic
Record - 1.40
Average 1.68

 

[Brian Le]

Why are you so worried? Many people who have slower times than you compete...

 

[Hadley4000]

Why are you so worried? Many people who have slower times than you compete...

Well like I said. This is my first competition, so I don't know the times of others.

I just don't want to be stuck in last place

 

[cmhardw]

I think you'll find that at competitions you'll be surprised at how little people are competitive with each other, and how friendly they are in general. I love going to competitions because you get to meet other people who are just as addicted to your hobby as you are.

Who cares what times you set? Try your best of course, but think of it more as a chance to meet other cubers and have fun than anything else.

Chris

 

[Jason Baum]

Yeah, what Chris said. It doesn't matter if you haven't broken two minutes yet, people will still be very friendly to you at competitions and will give you advice on how to improve. Don't be afraid of the fast guys

With a 45 second average, you definitely won't be in last place either.

 

[Hadley4000]

I think you'll find that at competitions you'll be surprised at how little people are competitive with each other, and how friendly they are in general. I love going to competitions because you get to meet other people who are just as addicted to your hobby as you are.

Who cares what times you set? Try your best of course, but think of it more as a chance to meet other cubers and have fun than anything else.

Chris

Chris Hardwick? Ha. You're the delegate for the tournament I'm entering! The Chattahoochee Spring Tournament. XD

 

[Lofty]

The Chattahoochee will be my first competition as well! I am so excited for it too!
In the 4x4 and 5x5 you don't have to worry about being in last because you are faster than I am.

 

[Jason Baum]

I will be at Chattahoochee as well.

 

[Henrik]

And with the Magic times you have you could even have a chance at winning
If you keep you cool and relax then there is a chance.
At Benelux I didn't relax at Magic so I had bad times.
Lots of times people are looking at the fast ones to see how they did this time and don't look as much at the slower ones. But everybody are always willing to help you get better so next time they have to look out for you
And as said before you wont be last.

 

[Tim Reynolds]

I'll be at Chattahoochee too. Trust me, those times are decent, you won't embarrass yourself. Henrik's right, Chris, Jason, and I (and any other cubers there) will definitely be willing to give you advice or stuff like that.

 

[Jai]

As Harris once said, it's not about beating others at competitions, it's about beating yourself (improving since the last competition).

 

[Mike Hughey]

Wow - it's nice to see all the people that will be at Chattahoochee. I'll be there as well. My daughters will compete too, although they've actually gotten slower since the VA Open. So Hadley4000, you're guaranteed to not be anywhere near last place. (They're both generally over 1:30 solving the 3x3x3.)

 

[Inusagi]

It is important to meet other peoples. They may help you.

And don't think it's like a competition, think it's like bowling or something like that. Someone must get the last place anyway. And you could start practising more now then before. 30 days before my competition, I wasn't sure I was going to do it well. But since I begun to practise a lot, I did get a good place. Better then I ever believed.

Remember this: If evryone was thinking like you, there would only be one person at the competition.

 

[cubetimer]

One thing I like most about speedcubers is how non-competitive they are. I mean, sure, they all want to improve, and we all like to win, but mostly everyone was just hanging out with other cubers. At the 2007 San Diego Open I placed 41 out of 49, not exactly something to brag about, but would I go again?

Definitely. And I'm bringing a bunch of friends I've taught to cube since then. I've even announced the 2008 San Diego Open on my speedcubing timer page. I'm really excited about it. I hope the place is packed.

Dude, just go and have fun...

 

[DanHarris]

If you do badly, Chris Hardwick will personally chastise you (I've been there)

 

[cmhardw]

If you do badly, Chris Hardwick will personally chastise you (I've been there)

haha Dan you know me, I'm like the meanest cuber around if you think about it

Chris

 

[MiloD]

I heard you say curse words at your cubes under your breath when you do blindfold solves.

 

[Mike Hughey]

I heard you say curse words at your cubes under your breath when you do blindfold solves.

Those are just his memorization images: more "colorful" = easier to memorize.

 

[slncuber21]

yeah you wont suck cuz i am WAYYY slower than u are and i will be going to a competition soon too.. dont worry about placement for ur first comp. just have FUN!!!

 

[brad711]

Certainly, just have fun.
I certainly don't consider myself "serious" about cubing, its just a puzzle and a highly enjoyable passtime.