Pine Tree State Re-Cap

I don't even know where to begin right now. I had intended to write a blog post on Friday going in-depth about the absolute torture I experienced during peak week but I simply didn't have the energy to think straight when I sat down to write. Now however, all the torture seems completely worthwhile as I sit here going over the events that unfolded yesterday at the 2013 OCB Pine Tree State bodybuilding championships. First of all, it was an experience unlike no other and one I'll never forget.

I arrived at the venue around 6:45 am yesterday morning for my scheduled spray-tan touch-up at 7:00. Of course I was the only person there! People eventually began to trickle in and around 7:30 I was buck naked standing in a pink tent getting the spray-down! The day earlier, I had gotten my first coat as well as my polygraph done over at the host hotel in South Portland. At first I was very timid about being naked in front of strangers but I knew it would be gross to have thong-lines so I sucked it up went for it. The woman in charge was so nice and made you feel totally comfortable so it was easy to get over any insecurities pretty quickly! The stuff they tan you with is really messy and doesn't dry fast (or at all in some cases) so once you have it on you really have to stay standing in your suit all day in order to keep from getting splotchy and looking like a zebra. Let me just say, peeing is an art! Lesson learned: bring a stack of solo cups to pee in to all future shows. Despite my talented squatting efforts, I did have a little white line going down my orange leg by the end of the day LOL!

After tan came hair & makeup. The show promoter managed to get all competitors free hair & makeup service which was fantastic as a) I suck at doing my own hair and makeup and b) I already broke the bank with the tanning service. I had more makeup on me than I've ever had in my life! They sprayed me with some sort of make-up setter though so it stayed perfect on me all day. They also put fake eye lashes on which I've never had before and now I'm hooked! Here's a pic of me having achieved full Oompa Loompa status and getting my hair done:

At noon all of the competitors met for the competitor's meeting where the promoter went over all the rules and introduced us to the judges. I was so happy so see that the head judge was one of my posing instructors.  Not that she would give favorites or anything but it made things a little less stressful. At this point my anxiety level was beginning to rise and I was trying my best to keep my cool, take deep breaths, and remind myself that the first round was just group comparisons so I wouldn't be out there by myself. I had brought a mini bottle of Pinot Grigio to sip on, hoping it would loosen me up a bit but not having drank in so long I was hesitant to drink too much and look tipsy on stage. The wine was a waste of calories as it didn't help me one bit. By the time we were lined up to walk out on stage (bikini was first), my legs were shaking uncontrollably!  Once out on stage though it was game time. There were 13 of us competing which being more than I had expected I think added to my stress level that morning. Apparently my shakiness was not visible to the judges though. I think we were out there for about 5 minutes. I kept telling myself to smile and stare out in the crowd and at the judges the whole time. I made a point to stare each of the judges in the eye at least once, hoping they would notice and remember me. I heard my number (#2) screamed out from the crowd a few times but the way the lighting was in there you couldn't tell who it was coming from. After being shuffled around a few times and brought to my final resting spot in the middle of the stage we were told to walk off stage and that was it. At one point I was sure I screwed everything up as two of us were asked to move to the middle and being so nervous I followed the other girl despite the fact that she was walking in front of the other contestants which I know is a huge no-no! We left stage in a sort of discombobulated line while trying to wave back at the crowd. 

Thank god, now I could breathe haha! For the next couple of hours I took turns between watching the other classes get pre-judged from the auditorium where my family was, and hanging out back stage where I munched on my minuscule portioned meals and socialized with the other contestants. In all I think there were 55 contestants which was double what the show had last year so it was really a great turnout! Around 5:00 we had another contestant meeting and at 5:30 we were lined up again for our individual T-walks. I truly thought I would die at this point. I sipped probably double the amount of wine I had had earlier in the day and despite feeling a little blurry-headed it still did nothing to quench my nerves. I also had a case of the nervous pees...this is when you feel the need to urinate every 30 minutes despite having unintentionally drank nearly no water all day long! Being contestant #2 I had to go out on stage second so at least I could get it over with quickly and be done for the day. The MC was kind of annoying and said exactly what I didn't want him to say during my introduction but at least he got my name right which is more than I can say for most people. Once out there I knew all eyes were on me. I took my time and probably went over my 60 second allotment  but I had to concentrate so hard to be sure not to forget any of my poses; especially since we were instructed to go to the right side of the stage first rather than the left as I had practiced. Again, although I knew the majority if not all of the scoring had been done earlier in the day I still made an effort to make eye contact with all of the judges and wave with a "thank you" as I walked off stage as the head judge had alerted us that there were a few ties so your individual performance could be what made or broke you. 

Done. Finally! I walked off stage exhaling a sigh of relief and became overwhelmed with the happiest of thoughts as I realized I could now indulge in my favourite tahini oat cookie I had picked up at Whole Foods the day before LOL! After watching the other bikini contestants from backstage I scooted off to grab my snack and watched the remainder of the classes perform from the audience. Unfortunately I could not see the other bikini girls very well from behind the curtain so I don't have a good basis for who did what well. I do have to say though that confidence is key when you're out there. Watching the figure ladies go was different from what I expected. I didn't realize that they were more similar to bikini than bodybuilding...maybe that's something for me to strive for in the next year or so as I get more comfortable with being on stage and build more muscle. The bodybuilders were exceptionally entertaining, especially the ladies. I don't think I can see myself ever doing that class but they were really remarkable to watch! 

Finally at the end of the individual performances there was a short intermission and then it was award time. Again, bikini was first and we all lined-up back stage in case our number was called. Contestant #5 was called first. It was a girl who I felt had much better stage confidence than I so my heart sank a little as I figured my chances of scoring any higher than her were slim-to-none. Contestant #4 was called and again, it was a girl whom I knew had a stellar standing pose. I started to get dizzy and overwhelmed when all of a sudden I hear "Third place goes to contestant #2"...or something like that. I don't really know what they said other than they had called out my number! I walked out on stage, shook hands with the promoter who handed me a massive trophy and beamed with pride and pure joy out into the crowd toward where I knew my family was sitting as I took my stance and awaited the last two winners to be called out. Here's a pic of the 5 of us on stage:

Not my greatest look right there...I blame it on the post-judging carb-load LOL. I was just so happy to place, I didn't care which number got. I've never won anything of substance, especially athletically, in my entire life! However, thinking back on it last night I realized just how amazing an accomplishment 3rd place was: The girl who got #1 was on her 6th or 7th show having won the last OCB show in March and the girl who got #2 is a former Miss. Maine and Miss. America pageant contestant. Then there's me who's never been on a stage in her life, and has horrible stage fright! I hope this doesn't come across as conceited, I'm just so elated right now it's all I can think about. The rest of the competitors I think were all first-timers like myself (except for the girl who one 1st place last year) and definitely brought some fierce competition. There's even a couple who I think deserved to be in the top 5 so I'll be interested to hear what the judges have to say for why they placed people where they did. Here's a pic of me with my parents after the show. Think they felt a little awkward standing next to me there? :P

Sorry for the long entry today; there's just so much to talk about and this only covered the major parts! All the competitors who coached me along the way and inspired me to embark on this journey in the first place told me that once you get one show under your belt you become hooked. They weren't kidding! I just signed up for the OCB Spirit of America (SOA) on April 20th in Carver, MA and can't wait to hit the stage with some new competitors, a few of the same competitors, and be competing in an International Federation of Physique Athletes (IFPA) pro-qualifying show. I splurged and signed-up for both the novice and open bikini categories as this is a much larger show with more competition so the more chances I have at placing the better.

After enjoying some fantastically delicious sushi last night I jumped back on the training wagon and hit up World's this morning for a shoulders and core workout. It was so great to be able to share my story with all the inquisitive gym regulars who weren't in the audience yesterday. This week will be a re-fuel week. I'm back on my pre-peak week meal plan so my energy levels will be up and I can get in some hardcore weight sessions. then it's peak week #2 before the SOA. I plan to do peak week a little differently this time around now that I know how my body responds to carb depletion (not well!). It will still be torture but hopefully not quite as bad LOL.

Anyway, thank you to all who stood by me over the past few months of training. I'm not going to name each one of you (don't want to leave anyone out) but you know who you are. I'm so happy I took a chance at this sport; I've definitely found my calling! 'Til next time gym rats, happy gymming!! xo