2 Weeks to go!

After an unbelievable experience of winning the Hercules Olympia overall and qualifying for the Wabba World Championships in Athens after a 22 year break I was utterly overwhelmed by the response from well wishers and sponsors but I was completely shattered too, so I took 2 days off! The first break since I started my competition prep on January 2nd.

After all the adoration from friends and fans, reality finally hit home, The Nabba Mr Wales was looming, this time I would be under pressure to deliver especially since I had sold approx 50 tickets to friends and close family, there's no way I will disappoint.

My training intensity has increased markedly and I didn't think I could train any harder but I am! As a result my physique has changed again, looking fuller and more vascular than ever, I just hope I can show case the improvements I've made on the 10th May. 

Apart from friends, family and fans supporting me there will also be the guys that want to see me fail, I'm sorry guys but I will disappoint you! I'm in it to win and nothing else will do. My sights are set on qualifying for the Nabba Britain and do well there too. A couple of Nabba judges that saw me compete at the Hercules both said I have a great chance of winning the Britain, that was sweet news to my ears indeed. But I still have the small (well it's not small really) matter of doing the business at the Mr Wales.

My posing is becoming more and more polished, I practice every night, presenting ones physique at its best some times overcomes the bigger more muscular guys because you end up making them look clumsy and out of breath, so presentation is a key factor in my strategy, that's why it's important to practice, even when you're exhausted from all the training and dieting.

Another plus for me is that I know what my body responds to with food, I never have a so called cheat meal, I think that's nonsense and lacks discipline, instead if I'm feeling a little flat I just increase my rice or potatoes, simples. All I see on face book are pics of cheat meals consisting of cakes, biscuits, ice cream and other nutritionally deficient foods, that to me is a weakness, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it, no matter what the so called Gurus Think!

In closing I would like to thank everyone who has supported me from the beginning and the new friends I've made since the Hercules, you guys are part of the fuel that drives me to train harder, without your support It would be a lonely road and much tougher. I want to win for me, my wife, my family, my sponsors and of course you my friends.

See you at the Mr Wales on the 10th May, please come and say hi and please shout for me when I'm on stage, you wouldn't believe the lift it gives me.

TRAIN WITH PURPOSE! Renzo

Reflection - the past weekend

Travelling to Colchester on the eve of my first competition in 22 years, I kept trying to visualise myself on stage and then all the doubting questions came flooding in, "am I lean enough" "will I get my water manipulation correct" and so on, luckily Sean who was my driver, bag carrier, confidant and sponsor all rolled in one, made a quick stop at to Neale Cranwell's gym Krunch for Neale to give me the once over.

Neale was instrumental in prepping me for this show, he's a great guy and a very experienced competitor, of course all I had to do leading up to this important weekend for the last 3 months was 6am Cardio, work, lifting my heart out in the gym, followed by more cardio, followed by posing practice and eating all the right foods to maintain muscle and lose body fat!

It was thumbs up from Neale who hinted I may be good enough to win the whole show! Feeling elated Sean and I continued our journey to Colchester and arrived at the Hotel for steak, potato and eggs as my last meal and a glass of white wine to act as a natural diuretic because I had stopped taking water by 6pm that night to tighten up even more. 

I couldn't sleep all night thinking about the show the next morning, I felt really tired but the mood changed when I checked my condition in the bathroom mirror, I was bang on the money and all nerves had fled back over the Severn Bridge to Cardiff. I felt confident about everything as I casually checked in with officials, handed over the music to the DJ and then just relaxed until about an hour before my class was due on stage. 

The setting was indeed Herculean, stage lighting, back drop all perfect and some amazing trophies too. 

I wasn't really taken seriously or noticed by anyone until I began to change from track suit to trunks, then I felt the presence of many fixed eyes and murmurings, I then knew I had brought my best to Colchester's Scott Hercs Olympia and my confidence grew by the minute. I didn't pump up like so many were, frantically lifting dumbbells and pulling stretch bands from one corner to the next, I just flexed and flexed, that's what I had painfully practiced night after night for the past 3 moths and inturn my body began to respond and my body got tighter and tighter. 

Sean applied the tan and then we "over 50's" were ushered to to the stage entrance! I could hear the crowd, see the lights and the atmosphere was building but I felt no nerves at all after all these years, I was home again!

As we stepped on stage the crowd went wild as we presented our selves as best we could and then I noticed all seven judges looking at me which could mean I was good or really bad! Comparisons made we asked to leave the stage and come back one at a time to perform to music, I knew my music and routine were unique, I just hoped the crowd and the judges would agree.

Move after move flowed, the noise of the crowd increased and flashes of photography pinging every where. When I had finished many were on there feet applauding and I even saw a couple of judges sneaking the odd photo or two. I had a chance!

There was another good Italian who had brought over a large contingent with him but they were cheering me, it must have deflated the poor man. 3rd was called and the Englisman graciously accepted his award. And in Second place, the Italian competitor was called, I knew I had won, it was amazing! 

As I was leaving the stage to thunderous applause, Scott Hercs turned to me and told me my physique and routine were incredible, I was taken a back.

Joyously I put my track suit on and from there on in I was mobbed by well wishes and new fans,I was on top of the world, I was the over 50's champion. 

Then I realised I had the small matter of the overall to contend with. the over all means all men's class winners going head to head on stage for the Title of Mr Hercules Olympia.

A couple of hours later we all lined up back stage ready to go to war! I happened to be first in the line up of around Seven other champions and as we took the entrance to the stage the crowd went berserk. I even noticed the Italian team cheering for me, 3 of us were to called to compare physiques, I new the other guys were bigger than me but I also knew I was able to present myself better than them.

We were asked to line back up and then the winner was announced, they called my name, from there on in it was all a blurr, photos, hugs and kisses of adoration and much much more. It took ages for Sean and I to leave the venue because we were stopped on every corner by well wishers. 

I can't actually remember much after that and the journey home back to Cardiff was one of the happiest and easiest ones I have ever made. Special thanks to my Sponsor Sean Brown who tirelessly worked to make my weekend a comfortable one.

And so as champion of my first comp I head toward my goal to be over 50's Mr Wales on May 10th and qualify for the British champions.

Thank you to all of you you that have lifted me with your comments and encouragement, you really have made a difference and remember "Train With Purpose".

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!