WHOA, Nelly!
It's been so long since I've blogged. I recently went through ALL of my posts and realized the following:
WHAT AM I PROUD OF? I'm proud of training even when I was tired. I'm proud of eating clean even when my mind was craving junk food. I'm proud of that last rep I didn't think I would finish. I'm proud of not listening to negative people who doubted me. Above all, I'm most proud of what I've achieved and for being humble enough to know that there's no perfection and there's always room for improvement. I did not come here to win or place. I came to beat the person I was 15 weeks ago.
I really didn't know what all of this entailed when I started. I didn't know that competing would become much more than walking from one side of the stage to the other. This experience made me love who I am and who I've become.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely! HOWEVER, I have to say when I compete again, I will probably compete in the female bodybuilding category, rather than Figure. For three reasons, really.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I learned shortly after the show, that my mother was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. She kept it a secret from me because she knew that I would have fallen off-track with my training and contest preparation. My whole family knew, except me. It was a MAJOR shock. While I realize she made the decision to keep this secret from me for my own benefit, it hurts to know she was going to appointments all by herself. Ever since, I've been by her side at every chemo treatment, doctor's appointment, and her surgery. I wouldn't have it any other way! Before I get all teary-eyed from my mum's selfLESSness, I better move on...
In the past few months, I have:
It's been so long since I've blogged. I recently went through ALL of my posts and realized the following:
- I miss competition prep.
- I never wrote a summary of my experience.
- I think I'm a pretty funny.
I really didn't know what all of this entailed when I started. I didn't know that competing would become much more than walking from one side of the stage to the other. This experience made me love who I am and who I've become.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely! HOWEVER, I have to say when I compete again, I will probably compete in the female bodybuilding category, rather than Figure. For three reasons, really.
- I met an amazing woman named Rhonda Shereda, a female bodybuilder competing at the same show. She took the time to explain things to me as a newbie, and was just all-around friendly. She was the only person that I bonded with. The other girls in my division were unfriendly in a friendly way, if that makes sense. They did not care to talk about our impending epic cheat meal, how exciting this was, etc. NOTHING! This was a major disadvantage for me because I'm all about the experience. I'm not trying to compete against anyone, but myself. Rhonda is stunning, genuine, and meeting her is one of the top highlights of my experience competing.
- Body-structure wise, I was not as lean as the other girls. I don't claim to be "big boned" or anything like that, but my muscle structure was just more dense than the ribs sticking out of the other girls' torsos. Although, one Figure competitor gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me. She said, "Don't compete for the body type you have; compete in the division you want to compete in--the one you enjoy." That is true! While I have nothing against Figure, I just feel like bodybuilding is better suited for me on all levels (physically, mentally, etc).
- In most organizations, the bodybuilding category requires a 60 second posing routine. It's...soooooorta a dance, but not really. Rhonda talked to me a lot about the routine portion. I told her I would love to compete in that division, but the routine scares me. That's when it clicked...I MUST do it, because performing on stage is a fear of mine that MUST be conquered.
WHAT HAVE I DONE SINCE THE SHOW, YOU MAY ASK?
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I learned shortly after the show, that my mother was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. She kept it a secret from me because she knew that I would have fallen off-track with my training and contest preparation. My whole family knew, except me. It was a MAJOR shock. While I realize she made the decision to keep this secret from me for my own benefit, it hurts to know she was going to appointments all by herself. Ever since, I've been by her side at every chemo treatment, doctor's appointment, and her surgery. I wouldn't have it any other way! Before I get all teary-eyed from my mum's selfLESSness, I better move on...
In the past few months, I have:
- consumed many margaritas and beers with my friends
- competed in a Triathlon (only a sprint, but I loved it!)
- been surprised on my birthday by an amazing group of ladies
- ran the Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon with a 7.5 month pregnant woman
- set a PR at the St. Louis Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon a week later
- signed up for a full marathon in my hometown
- gone back to school, took two classes in the Fall, and got A's in both of them (taking only 1 this Spring)
