The Show

by: Joe Lyons - May 18th, 2008

So how did the show go?

Saturday came, and neither Jess nor I got any sleep on Friday. We were both waking up almost hourly ready to get over to the show.

I ate my two meals before I left the house and brought my sodium load food with me to the athletes meeting. We did things this way because last year we miss timed the load and effect it has on my body. While at the athletes meeting I met up with Jeff (DrMac) and we chilled together for the morning. Jess had different meeting times and was off with other figure competitors.

Jeff, another LH Tim, and I all chilled out back stage while fitness and women's bodybuilding went through their prejudging. There were very limited numbers of bantams, lightweights, and middle weights, so they breezed through those classes quicker then any of us LH's had anticipated. All of the sudden we have 10 min to get ready, oiled up, and pumped up. It was a mad scramble and I was rushed to get my oil on and IMO it was a little heavy. As I'm getting ready...I noticed my body hadn't responded to the sodium load...not enough time had elapsed. This started to concern me, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it, so I just started warming up. There were 20 light heavies and most people there agreed, that this was one of the most conditioned LH classes at any show in years. George Farah and some of the photographers were talking about how at least 10-12 very conditioned athletes in the class. Striated glutes were all over the place in this class.

We went through the prejudging and I didn't make the first call out. It's not the first time that's happened to me. I've always found a way to work my way back into the top 5 in the past two shows this happened to me. Unfortunately, this time, my body didn't respond like in the past by getting harder the more I posed. I stayed pretty flat through the whole time out there.

We get off stage, I get dressed, and head out to the ON/ABB booth. I had 3 scoops of PB and a small drink of diet soda....about 10 min later I felt through my pants all my veins sticking out. I dropped my drawers right there, and my legs and abs were hard and veiny. I was furious! (at myself) How could I have only been 20-30 min off?! I know my conditioning was up there with the top guys. Justin did a great job in getting me ready and it didn't show when it counted.

I went home and looked at the MD website. I then realize I still had the conditioning showing...but I didn't show it. My posing was off in that I arched my back to much. By doing this I stretched my hamstrings and I didn't get a good contraction. It also popped my butt up to high and didn't allow for any glute contraction. I talked to Bill Comstock after and he told me the same thing. He said my conditioning was there, but I didn't show it.

The night show came, and again...I missed becoming harder and more vascular by about 30min. I was flat on stage (for 20 seconds) and then back stage while talking to people my legs hardened up and had veins running all over them.

I learned a lot during this show and it cost me possible placings. The guys that were ahead of me probably still would have been, but I would have liked to presented the best form of me I could have.

What's next? I don't know yet. I'm going to enjoy watching Jess have her moment and support her along the way. I have to take care of my job situation or I'll never be competing again. One thing will remain...I will be in the gym Monday morning, May 19th, training my butt off again, and making improvements. I don't know any other way of doing things.

Oh, and one other thing I forgot to mention. I hung out with Jason Phillips and Fitcat from the RA family. Jason is a great guy and it was great watching our wonderful ladies compete in the figure competition. I would like to extend a congratulation to Fitcat, Cathrine (sp?) on winner her class at the Jr. USA. She was in a very tough class and earned a huge victory. It was a pleasure meeting you Fitcat and seeing you again Jason.

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