10 Weeks and Counting

I never thought I would say this but I'm almost on contest condition, at 10 weeks out from the Mr Wales, so what started out as a warm up show in 5 weeks (Scott Hercs Olympia in Colchester) has now become an event I'm out to win! Saying that though Scott's show does attract body builders from around the globe but what a great test for me, if I can do well against those guys then the Welsh Show should give me the confidence of a win.

It's been an odd experience this time round, everything is so different from 22 years ago when I last competed, everything except hard graft, discipline and self belief but boy has this 54 year old body felt felt some pain, unlike any other pain I can remember. The upside of that is that I'm in probably the best shape I have ever been in and here lies the dilemma.

Of course I'm quite level headed and take compliments for what they are and I appreciate them all but people are seeing me without comparing me (cause they haven't seen them) to other competitors and are now saying I should enter the tougher classes like class 3, by the way the more experienced competitors, current and former champions are decided in order of height with class 4 being the shortest to class 1 being the tallest and then the winner of each class competes for the overall. Over 50's are not included in the over all,  it's just one of the rules of Nabba.

My original plan and it still is to qualify for the over 50's British, which I believe I would have a good chance in.

It would be great to hear your thoughts on this though, the pic I posted a couple of weeks ago which had a fantastic response (thank you) doesn't not resemble the physique I now have, it's improved considerably from that and will continue to do so right up to competition day.

I love blogging and love hearing from friends and haters too, all your comments good or bad give me the energy to train harder, diet harder and be the best I can be. TRAIN WITH PURPOSE!

Renzo

80 Days to Go

80 days seems a long way doesn't it but time seems to be flying by, which by the way isn't a bad thing, well not for me anyway. The journey so far has been very tough in many ways just because life throws in the odd spanner or two in an attempt to disrupt the focus, for one my wife's health begun to worsen ironically when I began my prep for the show. Don't get me wrong Julie is right behind me 100% of the way it was just a coincidence I could say.
It's become habitual now, 5.30am rise, amino acids lemon tea and then a 50 minute power walk around the streets of St. Mellons, weights at 5pm followed by 45minutes of stationary bike cardio, 6 days a week.
I read a lot about this HIIT cardio and I've even tried it but let me tell you it ain't for me, not at 54, old school stuff works for me and the discipline of the endurance I think gives me an edge on many body builders.
Right now all muscle groups are are clearly showing with plenty of vascularity, maybe I'm ahead of the game but that's ok, I'm not into this last minute panic stuff, I rather be ready at least 3 weeks out and just make minor adjustments leading up to the big day. On the other hand on this occasion I'm doing Scott Hercs Olympia in Colchester as a warm up and that's in 6 weeks so I'll be ready 5 weeks before the NABBA Wales, a long time for some but I love this sort of stuff and I'll come in even sharper for the Wales. I just hope I have some decent competition next to me.
Slight dietary and supplement changes from this weekend and another transitional period will begin.
Oh by the way my posing routine has to be 90 seconds that's the rules and Niko my son has mixed an amazing bit of music which I must say is difficult to move to but I've been practising and you're going to love it, none of this compulsory poses rubbish to music just because you've decided on a piece of music last minute and can't think of anything creative! Give the crowd what they paid for entertainment! See you there my friends and remember TRAIN WITH PURPOSE.