Well it's been about 3 weeks since my last post, apologies. The weeks up to the competition were crazy for me. I wasn't nervous - I had put in the work and just had to continue what I had been doing the last 20+ weeks - but I was overwhelmed with everything I had to get done.
Mary came to paint me. What an experience. Plenty of inappropriate comments while I stood in my birthday suit with my leg propped on the arm of a chair so she could get the right lighting on me. And I was freezing. It was below 60* in my apartment. Yes, I could've turned on the heat, but I only have so much money to spend, gotta be wise with your finances folks! We also realized how AWFUL my apartment lighting is.. in every room. We had to reposition lamps and I was continuously moving to make sure there weren't streaks and the color was even. It was a process. But thanks Mary. I don't know what I would have done if she weren't there!
The competition itself was such an incredible thing. I loved every minute of it. Seriously. In the morning it was just men's open body building before me - so we figured I'd have at least an hour and a half before getting on stage. Ummm.. no. Probably 25 minutes after starting they were making last call for all open figure competitors. Were my shoes on? Toes taped? Lipstick on, earrings in, suit glued down? No. And I still had to pump up and get oiled down. I started freaking out. I was so flustered I couldn't tear off a piece of tape for my toes, it took like 5 minutes just to get my heels on. I was shaking. There were no available weights so I just started doing pushups and dips in my heels and in a suit that was riding up my ass. Nothing out of the ordinary back stage. Then I went to get oiled up and was still so flustered that I couldn't even think how awkward it was that a line of guys were sitting there staring at all of us and 2 other guys with rubber gloves were criscoing up my chest and thighs. Whatever, they probably hate their jobs by the end of the day. I walked out on stage and hit my poses perfectly (well I'm sure they weren't perfect but.. pretty solid) and just felt like I was radiating. I couldn't stop smiling. I love it. And I didn't fall.. Always a plus!
Meredith and Mary were there for me in the morning and it was so wonderful hearing them on stage and having support to talk to after getting off stage. Seriously made my day that they were both there to share this moment since they had both but so supportive throughout the entire process.
Mary and I then went to my Kansas-neighbor-turned-NC-friend Jack's place and watched football and relaxed with him, Katie, and Bliz (who they were watching.. so nice of them!). We had to be back at the theater at 4:45 so the rest of the night was pretty long. Watched the first half of the show to support a friend I made (yes, I still remember her name :) ), and then hung out back stage watching other people finish up, stuff their faces, and clear out. I had plenty of time to get ready and get nervous for the night show. Also didn't help that so many of my wonderful PT friends came out to support me! And apparently a guy had done a little break dancing on stage before we went out. So hitting my poses at night was not as great, but honestly it didn't matter.
This week since has been interesting. It's so nice to have a social life again and let loose a bit. But at the same time, my nutrition is off. I feel like I should be indulging - even though I don't particularly want to - so then I do and my stomach has hurt all week basically. I also only took Sunday off from the gym, but I go there and have no plan and no idea what to work and I hate it. It's nice to have freedom but I need more structure. So that's what I'm working on this weekend - meal plans and workout plans for the next few weeks.
I have yet to decide if I'll compete again. I love the idea of having a goal, of being dedicated to something and living this healthy and strong lifestyle. But my goal all along was just to dedicate myself to the training, work hard, stick with it, and compete - and I did that. So maybe it's time to explore something else.. but maybe I'd like to do it at least 1 more time. Who knows!
