Arnold Amateur Fitness 2008!

I did not manage a win at the 2008 CBBF Fitness Nationals.    The feedback from the judges - I did not have enough muscle.  Most times I don’t ask for feedback, as I find it more confusing than helpful.   I did, however, managed a 3rd place win which is respectable, but not the ultimate goal.   I have been there 3 times already and well, there have been other girls there 5-6 times and still have not cracked the top 5.  The thing a lot of people do not understand with fitness, figure and bodybuilding in Canada is that there is only ONE National show in which you can win your pro card per year. That is right one National show!  Not only that but only ONE Pro card is offered to the overall winner. So not only do you have to win your class but you also have to be the other winners of each class.  Very tough indeed.

So I will try again next year

Knowing how things work, as I have been around for a while, I am only doing CBBF or NPC shows from now on. That is no disrespect to the other federations that I have competed with, but I am looking for a new challenge and this is it.

I have been competing over 10 years now, and I am ready to be a pro and be on stage with the other girls.  I say ‘other’ girls as I have competed with them in other shows.  In the US it is a bit easier to turn pro, as we have seen numerous new faces on the scene over the past few years.  And there are numerous Pro cards being given out over 3-4 highly recognized, well run National shows.  The same is not true for Canada.

It takes some girls so long to win their pro card - like 7-8 time competing year after year, that once they do turn pro - they never compete as a pro. They are burnt out, to have to go all the way to the bottom again in order to move their way up to the top.  Plus the look is very different from Canada to the US. The girls in the US are a bit softer, where Canada still prefers the hard, dry look with lots of muscle.  (some in the US still prefer this look as well).  Me, I like a combination of the 2 - a little muscle not bulky, and lean but not so lean you look emaciated.   But it is not me judging so I will have to hope that I am the ‘one’ they want when the Nationals roll around.

I will try to update periodically throughout the year, as well, I have so many message boards, and emails on the go, that sometimes time gets away from you.  I am sure you can all appreciate that.

Wish me luck on my journey and hope to see you in the pros one year from now.
A.

Hey Everyone-

Good news to report - I won the Arnold Amateur Fitness event. I was very surprised to take the overall as well. I was up against some great competitiors - Chantal Dicaire, the fabulous Sylvia Tremblay, and Valerie Brown Stephens.  All of whom I have competed with before and knew of the package they would bring to the stage. Lucily all came together for me in the end, as I really did not think I would be ‘ready’ to hit the stage once the show came around.  

The events all started on Thursday am when I experienced my first JanTana tanning session. The colour was amazing, but to put on the color - well, it was an eye opener.  Some things my husband should NOT know about this sport. 
After 2 coatings of tanner, it was time for the athlete meeting.  Best backstage, warmup area I have experienced in 9 years of competition. Especially for the fitness gals, having a place to warmup the routine is essential not only to perform well, but to reduce the likelihood of injury.

The evening started with the fitness routine.  I do not watch the other girls that go before me as I feel it clouds my judgment and focus before I perform.    I did do my performance as best I could under the circumstances but always feel that I could do better. The crowd watching was a little flat to all the competitors’ performances but perhaps that is how it is in the NPC??  I just like it when everyone is having a good time and gets excited while watching the routine round, as it gets the athlete pumped as well.

Next was the 2 piece.  Two series of quarter turns, and that was it.  Then the one piece - which was new to me, and I actually liked it.  After doing the routine round, you tend to relax anyways.  Standing is not so hard as flipping in the air…..but I digress.  Again 2 series of quarter turns and we were done for the night.  The night ended around 10pm and by that time I was ready to get some sleep. 

On Friday I was at the Muscular Development booth. What a blast these folks are!  So much fun, and interesting to talk to. They really know their stuff.  Triple H stopped by, Jose Canseco, Monica Brant was at our booth, and Victor Martinez was there as well.  There were just so many people there that it was really hard to keep track of them all.  The day basically flew by.  I got to watch the manditory routines of the Pro Fitness gals. I was so excited to see them in action, and they did not disappoint. 

By the end of the day, I had to rush back to my hotel to get tanned up for the finals of the amateur event.  It took a little longer than I had expected and ended up missing the women’s pro finals, however, I did catch the open routine on bodybuilding.com (Thank goodness!).

On Sat we had to be at the venue for the finals at 9am. We did our one piece and they annouced the top 5 in each class (fitness and figure).  Great I made top 5. I was really excited about that.

Then we had to wait quite a bit as the bodybuilding took almost 2 hours, before they were to announce the winners of the fitness and figure.

Returning to the stage in our two piece, they annouced all the placings with myself coming out on top.  Again I was surprised, and had to go up against Chantal Dicaire of Quebec (we are from the same Province too).  She wins all the time in Canada, so was amazed that I took the overall.   I am very proud to have achieved this goal. Now on to the next one of winning my pro card at the 2008 Canadian Fitness & Figure Nationals in Vancouver in August.  The rest of the day I spent at the MD booth, hanging out with the girls (so much fun) and having fun with the win.

The coolest part of the win was that I got to be introduced on stage at the night show of the Arnold Classic on Saturday, as well as meet Mr. Arnold himself.  During this time I was able to hang out backstage during the show, and meet all the pros (past and present) plus many other people within the industry.  I was truly in my element, and did not want this moment to end. 

On Sunday I got to eat a brunch with Arnold and have my individual picture taken with him.  Very cool.  I spent the rest of the day at the MD Booth until I was to and catch my flight back to Canada.

This was the best Arnold I have attended so far. (this was my 3rd arnold).  Hopefully next year I can make it to the arnold stage as a pro (ooh, that would too much!), or come back to the amateur event if they offer a pro card for the win. 

Talk soon,

A.

I knew this would happen. Time just flies. Every week I prepared my meals, get my training plan ready, hit the gym, and bam, soon the show is here. Ok almost here.

I don’t feel as prepared as I have been in the past. Somehow life got in the way. I have a son now, and he does take priority. Plus I work a full time job that keeps me more busy than I have ever been in the previous 8 years I have been doing it.  Well what has changed….ok, I do have a child. That is huge. But my training plan is much more intense, making me more tired. Last time I trained for shows, I was not working, and now I wonder what did I do with all my spare time before?

I do have my routine done, and need to practice.  This week will be all about the routine 3X’s this week minimum - this is partly my cardio - as well….have you seen my routine?  Then workouts will be cardio in the am, then weights at night 3X this week.  Tough schedule, but I will manage some rest in there.  Probably when I at work. (again another joke if you are following my humour)

I am a little worried that I won’t be big enough, or lean enough, as this is my first NPC type show.  I am doing fitness, which puts me up again only 15 other girls (or less if some decide not to come)…and I do have a good routine.  So I am expecting a top 3 finish.   Figure….on the other hand…to many girls to keep up with. Again the question remains..how do the judges pick a winner??

Other things that weekend, hmmmm I will be at the Muscular Development booth - with Ms. MB herself - how cool is that.  And then I will be doing the amateur event again on Saturday morning for the finals - top 10 (for me that is out of 15 girls) so I will be competing again.  And then later Saturday a model search for MD Major Distraction section of the magazine.

All in all whatever happens, I am very calm. Which is a good sign. I love competing and always hit the stage believing that this will be my last time doing it…so I always put my best product on the floor.  Gotta leave something memorable. 

A.

Where does the time go? I start my diet and then, bamm! I am 4 weeks later. I don’t do 12 weeks, as mentally I can only handle 6-8 weeks. I tend to drop quite fast, but since this is my first NPC show, it is hard to just how hard/lean to come in.  I don’t want to over do the cardio and end up looking stringy.

Routine is done, a few sound effects to move around, and then basically I have to rep the whole thing out many times in the next 27 days. I am very excited, and cannot wait to be at the show. 

So much work to be done at my school between now and then.  Good thing too, as it makes dieting easier.  Lots of travel in the next few weeks.  That is going to be rough, but I am sure I can manage.

Oh, and I got a spot at working the MD Booth. That should be a really, REALLY good time.

A.