Because all the kids were doing it
I started learning level 1 field moves while working on my star grades (I guess low level freestyle would be the equivalent, it covers spirals, waltz jump, salchow, toe loop, beginner back spin and upright spin). I'd been doing them for quite a while before coach asked "you DO want to test, right?" lol!
I wanna test (haven't yet, STILL working on my crossovers for level 1 fm) because it's a goal to work towards, and it makes me work on things i might not like (figure of eight three turns and mohawks in sequence for level 2 field moves have already begun!), but that otherwise won't improve and i'll hate them even more!
I've done two competitions. One, my first, was a regular open at my home rink. Several adults entered at my level but due to restricted numbers, i was the only one who got in, so was competing against kids aged 11 and up. I came last but skated my best and enjoyed the experience. The second was an adult only competition that i travelled to, where i again came last, but it was my first time competing on a different rink which felt strange, so i didn't skate my best.
I reeeeeally wanna get my level 1 fm done soon! And then progress up the levels. I'd also like to do Free and Elements tests. Once I do these I won't be able to compete against kids, because to pass the level 1 test you only need toe loop, waltz or salchow, and upright spin, but to compete at level 1 you need up to lutz, combination jumps, combination spins etc. But my coach doesn't want me to do kids competitions again anyway. I was never planning to avoid tests so i could still compete at beginner (not sandbagging, i come last at beginner, i'd be laughed out of level 1 lol!).
I compete because the kids kept asking me if i was doing the competitions they were, and when my home rink had an open i decided to go for it! I already had a program, so after sussing out that i was actually allowed (being an adult skater), I asked coach and hey presto! I liked the dress, sparkles, having the ice to myself elements.