coachcinziaFinally, I am able to write on my diary! I am borrowing my son’s laptop since mine died on me a week ago. Yes, right after I got back from Chicago I had a lot of nice notes saved on mine ready to be published and out of the blue my hard drive quit working! I am glad I am so focused on my next competition because things like this in my current state of mind usually don’t get me mad. I feel in control and ready that I will not allow anything to disturb my positive attitude, but I still can’t believe it! This is the second hard drive I have lost in a year! Unbelievable!
I have been back home for a week now. We got back on Sunday, June 19th, Father’s Day. I had the chance to enjoy a little celebration with my son and husband eating some yummy pizza and Italian gelato! The day after father’s day I got back on my diet and started training for the NPC National Fitness Championships. NPC Jr. Nationals was a success for me – it seems the judges liked my routine and my physique but unfortunally, during my routine pre-judging, I cramped up and I was unable to deliever a complete routine. On Friday afternoon we headed to the venue at 3:00 pm to perform my routine for prejudging. We were supposed warm up and then start at 4:00. Right before going on stage a storm hit the city of Chicago causing a power outage not only for the Hyatt hotel, but for the entire city.
Not knowing the severity of the blackout, we continued to warm up waiting for the power to come back on, but unfortunally it took 2 and half hours before we got it back. The great thing about this is that I was able to get to know many of the fitness competitors backstage. Most of them I already knew, some of them only through Facebook and some others from meeting just a little at other national shows. This long two hours gave us plenty of time to chat and find out more about eachother. Often times the tension back stage can really build a wall between competitors and only the more experienced ones sometimes can have that cofidence to still reach out for others. Unfortunally, although I tried to keep a very positive attitude and spirit, my routine round suffered greatly. Partly because I am 41, and partly because I only had enough food in me to get me though to the scheduled time! In physique comeptition, every minute counts and timing is critical. Alas, half way through my routine my left quadricep cramped up and left me with no power in that leg. I knew I had to conclude my routine in order to get a score, so I kept on going, but I knew I did not look pretty. I will look back with a bit of humor, picturing IFBB Pro Tracey Greenwood (a frequent on-stage expeditor at national level competitions) as she was waving for me to exit the stage, mouting something along the lines of “just get off the stage!”
I wanted to deliever a fun, entertaining, happy routine so, not being able to deliever it the way I knew I could, was a huge disappointment. My son was so upset and kept asking me why I didn’t finish the way he had seen me finish it over and over when practicing. I went back on Saturday morning for the two piece round and did very well. If you are not familiar with the national shows, only the top 5 of each class get to perform their rouitine again at the finals. I went on stage in my two piece suit for the eveneing show, waved to the adience briefly and stepped down the stairs from the stage to listen to the expeditor telling me that I had indeed made top 5! I don’t think I can explain my excitement. I felt like I had been given a second chance. It was time to do a lot better and deliever some fun no matter what. I wanted to see a big smile on my husband and son’s faces.
I immediately changed into my routine outfit, warmed up, and when it was my turn gave my best. I Felt good about my evening performance and, although, I knew I could have done even better, I felt I connected with the audience and had much fun while performing. My son and my husband both were so happy for me! I changed back in my two piece and lined up amongst the top 5 in my class for the awards. Number 5 was called out and it was not my name! I know I started making funny face right then! The forth place was called and it was not me again! I could not believe my ears! I didn’t know than I had placed second in my physique round and fourth place in routine then. With these scores I was able to still get top 5 and ultimately place 3rd in my class. My class had 9 fitness competitors all strong and beautiful and with amazing routines. This was the toughest competition I ever been in, packed full of veteran competitors, truly the best amateurs in the country, and knowing know that the judges placed me 4th place even when I didn’t get to complete my routine the way I know how gives me the confidence that they liked what they were able to see. Now I can’t wait to show them the rest and enteirtain them to the fullest!
So, this is why I am headed to the NPC National Fitness Championships next week. It will be held in New Jersey in conjunction with Team Universe and I am sooooo ready!!!!