What a Year

2013 certainly brought it's challenges, not only in training but in life in General, what it did do though was it re-ignited the competition flame in me that had been neatly tucked away and out of site for almost 22 years.
Once my mind was made up, the gains came quickly, however competition body building has changed some what since I last graced the stage in 1992! Those changes also applied to my 53 year old body too, recovery time became longer, joint and tendon pains were a clear indicator that I had to train smarter as well as harder. My digestive system had changed considerably too, I couldn't assimilate certain nutrients like I used to so my nutrient intake had to change drastically too, not only to gain muscle but to loose fat too, but hey that's why it's taken the whole of 2013 to get it right.

These modern day trainers and gurus haven't a clue when it comes to the older man, they're great with all the latest nutrient timing and macro mix but they haven't factored in ageing, although some have done a great job with the younger generation.
Any way it's all systems go for 2014, May 10th to be exact, my aim is to win and win emphatically, sounds cocky I know but I believe I'm bringing a package to the stage that hasn't been seen in an over  50's before, not just my physique but I aim to captivate judges and audience with a routine that'll justify the cost of their ticket, something special is all I can say right now.
Finally without the unconditional love and support of my wife Julie I would not be on stage in May, a special thanks must go to my training partners Sean Brown and Sean Mathews who have pushed and encouraged me all the way, thank you guys.
Speak to you all soon and remember, TRAIN WITH PURPOSE!

The way it is

Competition training if done properly is completely different to your normal run of the mill workout, for many reasons really, mine has just one focus, to be the best I can be on the day. More than that really, I want to be the best, that's it! The last thing I want on the day is a judge approaching me and saying "your competitor was better than you because". That's what makes it all different, nothing can be left to chance, every body part suddenly becomes a priority which means every workout is a priority. "Oh my legs are good so I don't need to hit them as hard cause they grow easy" heard that one before? I have and then it's panic stations 3 weeks out, too late! Similarly some guys work outstanding body parts even harder given their physiques an unbalanced look because they believe that their good parts will disguise their weak ones.
Winning comes from creating a muscular, ripped, balanced physique and then having the ability to present the months of training and dieting to 7 beleaguered judges waiting with baited breath to unburden their responsibilities for just a little respite. Judges go through hell "you wuz robbed" is a sound that all to commonly rings repeatedly through their ear canals eventually crushing all sense of reality, Brainwashed is the word I was looking for.
look give the judges and the partisan crowd a break and be a stand out winner from the moment you step on on stage. That's the way it is. TRAIN WITH PURPOSE!

And so it begins

There had to be some mistake, my alarm clock sounded almost cocky as it yanked me out of blissful sleep into an enigmatic reality but alas it was true, the 5.30am get up call was more painful than any set of leg presses I've recently done. My limp body slowly twitched and stretched, each sinew and tendon pleading for clemency then the image that's haunted me ever since I made the decision to compete again, smashed its way to the forefront of my mind, I had to win and I had to get up and get walking.
 Black coffee with coconut oil and I was ready and fuelled for for my first competition cardio workout, the cold air soon filled my lungs like elixir and soon my mind was filled with tensing my gluteus with each stride imaging the look I hope to have on May 10th.
45 mins later and it was all over, it felt good, next step food and supplements.
My nutrition was bang on throughout the day and the evening workout with the 2 Seans was as tough as ever but completely satisfying, home for food and day one was coming to its successful conclusion, strange really, got to do it all again tomorrow.
You've really got to want it to succeed, I mean it has to be more than just a desire with some planning and preparation, it has to be a burning need to win, nothing else counts, I don't understand people who say they're in it for the experience! Are you nuts? Go on holiday, that's an experience! Competitive bodybuilding has to be about the winning that's all there is to it! TRAIN WITH PURPOSE.
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