fighting40’s BodyBlog

Two weeks until the beginning of contest prep for the August 8th INBF Washington State.  I am looking forward to this prep more than I have in the past.  I have some help in my corner this go around and from the looks of his competitors, I am in great hands.  In the few weeks I have been working with Jason, he has made some small changes that have yielded some pretty cool results.  I haven’t been as full nor with as much strength as I have since Jason took the reigns.  My strength has improved noticeably, and I feel great.  Like I have written before, when I compete, I compete against myself.  I truly believe that I will be my best ever come August. 

Ok, so it’s been a while since I’ve posted a bodyblog, but I have an issue and I am hoping a few people will weigh in with their opinion.  I competed last summer in the INBF Washington State event promoted by Kevin and Denise James.  I competed in both the Masters and Open (Heavy) classes and placed 2nd (out of 7) and 3rd (out of 3) respectively.  Due to the number of competitors in the Masters class (minimum of 5) a WNBF Masters Pro card was awarded to the guy that finished 1st.  However, the class winners are piss tested (all competitors are polygraphed) and the guy that placed first was DQ’d (had seen a doctor about an issue not long before the show and he didn’t know that he’d been given a banned substance that was included in the medicines).  Because I finished 2nd, I was then awarded the pro card (a month after the show).  My feeling is that I was beaten that day, and that I have a long way to go before my physique is "pro" worthy.  Here is my dilemma: I found out recently that until I win money in a pro show, that I am still eligible as an amatuer and can therefore compete again in the masters class.  I am more competitive in the masters class than in the open (I am going to do the open in the same show this August anyway) and would really like to do it again….but……How silly would it look to lose an amatuer masters class when I am already a "pro"?  Is it fair to the guys that competed last year in that class who would like their shot at a pro card (not that I would win again - see last sentance)?  I am not into competitive bodybuilding for any reason other than to have some fun and see how far I can take my body.  For this reason, and the fact that I didn’t actually win the card on stage, I would like to compete in the masters class again.  However, I want to be a gentleman and not be greedy, therefore, should I just do the open and skip the masters?  I may try a WNBF pro masters show that comes up in October out in New York, but I am certain to get my ass handed to me.  It might be fun to try it just to say I’d done it…Thanks for reading, and please leave a comment with your opinion.  Have a great day.  Mark