Known only to a couple of people on this board I recently entered my first bodybuilding competition. It was the IDFA Canadian Classic V in Toronto, Ontario.
The event was this past weekend on November 7th. My birthday is November 13th when I turn 41.
I had never even been to a competition before. Never. I've wanted to go but never actually gone. So what do I do for my first one? Enter it!
Talk about jumping into a swimming pool headfirst without checking to see if there's water...
I don't know where I placed. Actually I'm afraid to look. I'm really disappointed that I didn't place because I came in totally ripped. My posing, though, wasn't as good as it could have been.
I did end up having a great support team though. A couple of friends (one of whom I'm proud to say placed 5th in the Masters portion) helped with applying ProTan and Dream Tan. A girlfriend of the one used the hair dryer on my Dream Tan to dry me quicker while I stood there in my underwear (so I wouldn't get my posing trunks messed up).
Although I didn't place I proved something to myself. I proved that I can go through a brutal diet and training regime and come out of it in one piece looking great, Very low carbs and pretty high training intensity. I officially weighed in at 145 drug free pounds.
I entered the Masters Division and also the Novice Lightweight division of the IDFA Canadian Classic V. Backstage was amazing. It was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the experience.
The IDFA (International Drug Free Athletics) is the same organization Fiend competed for in Alberta. He was one of the supportive people on BB.com that knew about it along with Carl and Tifflex.
I learned something. A person can say they're a bodybuilder all they want but until you put yourself through the rigors of training to compete you really haven't got a clue. That's the real deal.
One of the Figure Division competitors was my boss at the gym. Her and my coach (and her trainer) was another personal trainer there. The 5th place Masters winner is a member of the same gym and another good friend.
After the show we all went back to the hotel (we were staying at the Novotel), showered (in our rooms), everyone came to my room, hung out for a while, and then we went into the Toronto night to grab some big food and play some pool.
I'm definitely going to do it again.
Good times and good friends.
This is a picture taken just after the evening portion of the show.
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Thank you. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I used to be the kid on the playground that nobody wanted on their team. I did it partly for that little boy.
The results aren't up yet on the web site (I just checked).
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I understand your feelings about the placing, but you should still take pride in the fact that you had the guts to compete. Not only that, but you did your job by training hard and coming in great condition your first time out (no easy task).
Avoiding the scorecards is one thing, but oftentimes it is helpful to speak with some of the judges to help determine the primary areas of your physique that need improvement. (However, many athletes are acutely aware of areas needing improvement based on self assessment.)
Everyone has their own reasons for exposing themselves to brutal workouts and the scrutiny of strangers while on stage. But if you still have the appetite for competition, then I would encourage you to continue and build on the knowledge that you have acquired from your recent competitive outing.
Good luck (you look great)!
__________________
"First train the mind, then the body."
Made from all-natural products since 1968...no gear, no prohormones.
Known only to a couple of people on this board I recently entered my first bodybuilding competition. It was the IDFA Canadian Classic V in Toronto, Ontario.
The event was this past weekend on November 7th. My birthday is November 13th when I turn 41.
I had never even been to a competition before. Never. I've wanted to go but never actually gone. So what do I do for my first one? Enter it!
Talk about jumping into a swimming pool headfirst without checking to see if there's water...
I don't know where I placed. Actually I'm afraid to look. I'm really disappointed that I didn't place because I came in totally ripped. My posing, though, wasn't as good as it could have been.
I did end up having a great support team though. A couple of friends (one of whom I'm proud to say placed 5th in the Masters portion) helped with applying ProTan and Dream Tan. A girlfriend of the one used the hair dryer on my Dream Tan to dry me quicker while I stood there in my underwear (so I wouldn't get my posing trunks messed up).
Although I didn't place I proved something to myself. I proved that I can go through a brutal diet and training regime and come out of it in one piece looking great, Very low carbs and pretty high training intensity. I officially weighed in at 145 drug free pounds.
I entered the Masters Division and also the Novice Lightweight division of the IDFA Canadian Classic V. Backstage was amazing. It was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the experience.
The IDFA (International Drug Free Athletics) is the same organization Fiend competed for in Alberta. He was one of the supportive people on BB.com that knew about it along with Carl and Tifflex.
I learned something. A person can say they're a bodybuilder all they want but until you put yourself through the rigors of training to compete you really haven't got a clue. That's the real deal.
One of the Figure Division competitors was my boss at the gym. Her and my coach (and her trainer) was another personal trainer there. The 5th place Masters winner is a member of the same gym and another good friend.
After the show we all went back to the hotel (we were staying at the Novotel), showered (in our rooms), everyone came to my room, hung out for a while, and then we went into the Toronto night to grab some big food and play some pool.
I'm definitely going to do it again.
Good times and good friends.
This is a picture taken just after the evening portion of the show.
Congratulations Joe! I am so proud of you.
What are your future plans?
__________________
Tiffany
"You will never be the person you can be if pressure, tension and discipline are taken out of your life."-- James Bilkey
Congratulations Joe! I am so proud of you.
What are your future plans?
To keep competing. It's expensive and you really put yourself out there but it's a whole lot of fun!
I found a couple of stage pictures on Facebook. I haven't gotten any other stage pictures from anyone yet.
I'm the one in the back row in the red posing suit.
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
You lived up to your screen name & did something. Serious props & congrats on doing what it took.
__________________
"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don?t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."
- Randy Pausch, "The Last Lecture" (1960-2008)
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"I will tell you why they made the leg press: to keep the pussies out of the squat rack." - Arlecchino
Way to step up Joe! You crossed the line that divides those who talk about something and those experience something.
__________________
Everybody loves the destination but nobody wants to make the trip.
"If we can structure our thoughts in a successful mindset, one that strives towards success regardless of the obstacle, then it makes us a better person. One of the best ways to train to do this is to do something that is really f***ing hard. And then do that on a regular basis." Justin Lascek
You lived up to your screen name & did something. Serious props & congrats on doing what it took.
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I'm probably going to take the week off from training while my new coach and I come up with a new split (which I'll start next Monday).
There's a few things I need to work on. This week we'll asses and see where priorities should lie.
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
From an obscurity to the stage, you really stepped it up bro.
I am most impressed my fellow IDFA competitor and bb.com forum member.
Next show, top three and out of the novice with the lessons learned from this one.
__________________
Layne Norton FTW
Tifflex's and Fiend_73's journey to the stage
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=361189401&posted=1#post361189401
R.I.P CandyJunkie
With great power comes great responsibility.
~Spiderman/Stan Lee~
A very solid effort, DS. From the pics that were put up, you looked very lean around the waist (I wish I were that lean, LOL!) and cut all over. Compared to the guy on the left in the first pic and the other guys posing in both pics, you seemed to lack size in the upper body...chest/shoulder/arm region..but you looked very symmetrical, though, and that's a start; lots of guys can get big but tend to be top-heavy or over-developed in certain areas and under-develped in others. You were pretty solid overall and who gives a damn about the placing....you got up there and did it.
FWIW, I'd just concentrate on adding a bit more size in your upper body if possible--I think you could still gain more even though you're over 35 (!) and keep your proportions/definition. A very solid effort and props to you for getting up onstage and showin' what you got!
__________________
Most guys are oblivious to the obvious when it comes to training.
----------------------------------
"May the good Lord take a liking to you and blow you up real good!" (Billy Sol Hurok and Big Jim McBob).
Was it well run? Earlier in the year i was thinking of giving this specific show a shot as it is in Toronto but choked LOL Did you find it amateur "friendly"? Did they give you a bit of guidance being an amateur or did you go in blind or had somewhat of an idea?
I wish i had the balls you had to just go for it,props to you! You just might be my inspiration to get er' done!
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wanting the wife to give me that wink just like the Bowflex guys says ;)
Well done, Joe! Takes a lot of balls to get up on stage like that! I also think that's pretty cool that you kept it on the down low until you actually participated, and then surprised everybody like you did!
__________________
Stop looking for excuses why you can't do it, and start looking for ways you can!
Congrats!! You did your first Comp!!! Thats a Big step,.....
btw,...what is it with all these Canadians wearing glasses in competitions??
Funny, there is a pretty well built young guy in my gym who i think should compete (if he doesn't already)that wears glasses. Maybe it's the Clark Kent effect going on Looks cool, i kind of like the look!
__________________
wanting the wife to give me that wink just like the Bowflex guys says ;)
From an obscurity to the stage, you really stepped it up bro.
I am most impressed my fellow IDFA competitor and bb.com forum member.
Next show, top three and out of the novice with the lessons learned from this one.
I was wondering when you'd make your way in here! lol
There were plenty of lessens learned last weekend. One of which was to plan better and not stress so much. Now that I have an idea of the way the events will run I can be better prepared.
I'm going to train for first place in my next one. Nobody trains for second - if they do they should find something else to do with their time.
You have my respect, man. You're coming along for the next ride to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuyJin
A very solid effort, DS. From the pics that were put up, you looked very lean around the waist (I wish I were that lean, LOL!) and cut all over. Compared to the guy on the left in the first pic and the other guys posing in both pics, you seemed to lack size in the upper body...chest/shoulder/arm region..but you looked very symmetrical, though, and that's a start; lots of guys can get big but tend to be top-heavy or over-developed in certain areas and under-develped in others. You were pretty solid overall and who gives a damn about the placing....you got up there and did it.
FWIW, I'd just concentrate on adding a bit more size in your upper body if possible--I think you could still gain more even though you're over 35 (!) and keep your proportions/definition. A very solid effort and props to you for getting up onstage and showin' what you got!
True. We went over it today and my new program. The new program I came up with seemed all right to my new trainer so I'll start it Thursday. It's a 3 day split just like the one I just finished and done twice a week for a six day training schedule.
We decided to concentrate on lats and chest. Everything else should come up with the program I'll be on but those were the priorities as well as improving my posing, which, to be honest, was bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by buff_dad_dy
Congratulations!
Was it well run? Earlier in the year i was thinking of giving this specific show a shot as it is in Toronto but choked LOL Did you find it amateur "friendly"? Did they give you a bit of guidance being an amateur or did you go in blind or had somewhat of an idea?
I wish i had the balls you had to just go for it,props to you! You just might be my inspiration to get er' done!
Athlete friendly, yes. Well run, maybe. There were time constraints so instead of doing a 30 second posing routine to their chosen music they pared it down to each competitor choosing their two best poses for the evening show. I went with front double bi and abdominal/thigh. They made this change seemingly just prior to stage time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IronCharles
Well done, Joe! Takes a lot of balls to get up on stage like that! I also think that's pretty cool that you kept it on the down low until you actually participated, and then surprised everybody like you did!
It's a lonely sport. This is something that I was serious about. I couldn't post much about it because I wanted to go in and do it. I did allude to it a few times but nobody got it (like when I posted the thread about applying ProTan).
I'm also going to do the IDFA show in April. In 2009 it was in March but from what I understand it's being moved to April.
Thank you to everyone that's repped me and/or posted here.
Bodybuilding is a close net community among it's brethren - this was brought home past weekend.
I messed up my ProTan and there were a couple of people I previously mentioned in the OP that helped fix it. They even applied my Dream Tan for me.
I also learned that ProTan is crap for me. The IDFA doesn't mind Dream Tan (they even sell it) so I'm going to try to avoid buying anymore ProTan other than the limited supply I already have.
I have only just begun.
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Just give yourself time to grow into your new "you." I'd work on gaining quality mass all over, although, as you said, chest and back are the priorities for now. You have good, natural symmetry and if you overdo the bodypart thing, you'll spoil your lines. I honestly think you could carry at least ten more pounds of solid muscle all over without compromising your definition or symmetry. Ten pounds doesn't sound like a lot but on a guy with your structure you'd look a helluva lot bigger. (I know, ten pounds, easier said than done...LOL...but I think you could pull it off).
At any rate, stick to it and you will get there. My congrats to you.
__________________
Most guys are oblivious to the obvious when it comes to training.
----------------------------------
"May the good Lord take a liking to you and blow you up real good!" (Billy Sol Hurok and Big Jim McBob).
btw,...what is it with all these Canadians wearing glasses in competitions??
Would you rather have us wear our snow goggles that we wear riding our Ski Doo's from our igloos??
__________________
Layne Norton FTW
Tifflex's and Fiend_73's journey to the stage
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=361189401&posted=1#post361189401
R.I.P CandyJunkie
With great power comes great responsibility.
~Spiderman/Stan Lee~
Would you rather have us wear our snow goggles that we wear riding our Ski Doo's from our igloos??
Pfft! It isn't even summer yet!
__________________
"leading by example is always the best way, even if you are leading without even knowing it!!"
- dungeonmistress
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Congratulations!!!
I was actually backstage as well.
Helped one of the trainers at my gym with his contest prep. He came in 2nd in the heavyweights for the open division.
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Disclaimer : The above post is my own PERSONAL OPINION and DOES NOT REPRESENT the official position of any company or entity. It DOES NOT constitute medical advice.
IDFA Canadian Classic V: My First Competition
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