danartman
August 28th, 2004, 04:51 PM
I competed 3 hours ago in the SOutheastern USA bodybuilding Championships (Saturday, August 29. Orlando Florida). Despite months of careful prep, many things went wrong..and here is what I learned today.
It's been 9 years since I last competed. That is a long time off. Despite all my posing practice (1.5 hours a week for months) and conditioning I cramped while onstage, and it became a struggle to stand for a minute. I cramped from my neck to my calves. I felt helpless. In a moment it passed and I was able to continue..but for a minute it was questionable.
I have posed for months and couldn't believe it. I guess the adrenaline got to me, my nerves, and I was squeezing way too hard. It was like the tendons locked on my joints..the pain was crazy.
So that is the first thing: more posing practice. More practice tensing.
Relacks and don't let your emotions cause you to "over tense" like I did.
Second: despite how conditoned you think you are...there are many people with lower bodyfat levels. I have abs, intercoastals, but I am not Clarence Bass ripped by any means..next to a real ripped guy I looked smooth. I need to take off another 5 lbs over these next 6 weeks (I am going to the MAster's FLorida, October 2nd,2004). There were some men and women at this contest, that had some really low fat levels and they looked good.
My ass and legs are still too soft (despite being "cut").
Tan counts. I have a deep tan and I dyed as well. It helped me.
The show is really about meeting people and making friends. All the guys were very supportive of each other. Especially in my over 40 class. I met several men and women and chatted with them about their training. That was the best part of the day.
Competeing is motivating. I feel more motivated to train and diet than before. I return ..now to the night show..to see where I placed..I will post the results and some pics.
:tu:
It's been 9 years since I last competed. That is a long time off. Despite all my posing practice (1.5 hours a week for months) and conditioning I cramped while onstage, and it became a struggle to stand for a minute. I cramped from my neck to my calves. I felt helpless. In a moment it passed and I was able to continue..but for a minute it was questionable.
I have posed for months and couldn't believe it. I guess the adrenaline got to me, my nerves, and I was squeezing way too hard. It was like the tendons locked on my joints..the pain was crazy.
So that is the first thing: more posing practice. More practice tensing.
Relacks and don't let your emotions cause you to "over tense" like I did.
Second: despite how conditoned you think you are...there are many people with lower bodyfat levels. I have abs, intercoastals, but I am not Clarence Bass ripped by any means..next to a real ripped guy I looked smooth. I need to take off another 5 lbs over these next 6 weeks (I am going to the MAster's FLorida, October 2nd,2004). There were some men and women at this contest, that had some really low fat levels and they looked good.
My ass and legs are still too soft (despite being "cut").
Tan counts. I have a deep tan and I dyed as well. It helped me.
The show is really about meeting people and making friends. All the guys were very supportive of each other. Especially in my over 40 class. I met several men and women and chatted with them about their training. That was the best part of the day.
Competeing is motivating. I feel more motivated to train and diet than before. I return ..now to the night show..to see where I placed..I will post the results and some pics.
:tu: