Blade at Lakeland Classic

[blade]

Well I didn't place in this one but I got the scores and I placed 4th so not too bad for my first year. I placed 2nd in last weeks Open Novice and even though I was more conditioned this week, the competition was a lot tougher being in the middleweight class and having to drop 4lbs to make weight in one week.

Here's the link to the professional photos :
www.iajephoto.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=3848


And here's some I got from my family being in the crowd

Me and the 2nd place guy



The class 3rd is to my right and then 2nd,1st to my left

[blade]

Darrem Charles guest posing with his 17yr old son!



Day after party with the family. They came down to FL all the way from Boston. I love them

[mrbeefy]

Great pics B!

Good job...lots of hard work there! Really shows!

Two "tweaks" if I may?

Double Bi shot ~ I would raise my arms just a bit higher above parallel.

On rear bi shot, I would pull my arms back a bit more too.

Just my 2 cents

What do you think Gerry? You're the man when it ocmes to this?

[GerryT]

Your tweaks sound about right, Frank. Fine line with back double though; if you pull back too much your back can look narrower. Most important that elbows are straight out and bis just above delt level to max the back muscularity and width.

Anyway, Blade, you competed well and should be very proud of yourself. The best is yet to come.

[mrky03]

You did it Russ! Good job my friend! You really came a long way in a short period of time.

You have a lot to be proud of! I'm proud of you!

[blade]

Thanks Joel, it was all to learn from this year and next year to perfect it. This will be a look back at what was done, 47lbs lost in 12 weeks to be as stage ready as possible. Now that I know what my doby does with techniques in nutrition we can dial it more and this time NOT be as off season fat as I was. I'm following your steps of being lean all year round so that conditioning to the end won't be as much a stress and focus on posing more.

[QuietBob]

Great job.
Now that you have an idea how your body works you'll just keep getting better and better.

[blade]

That's what it was all about this first time competing. Thanks Bob.

[Intensity]

Greeeeat physique Russ... and what a transformation!

Congrats!

PS: I was scrolling down the pictures but wasnt reading the comments... you should have seen my face when I saw Darrem Charles and thought he was competing against you

[blade]

;D
LOL! Yeah that'd be close scoring. LMAO, no he and his son were guest posers and they put on the best show I had ever seen. Darrem can dance very well for his size.

[Roger]

Blade, I have watched you come a long way in a very short time. I can't wait to see what next year will bring for you.

[blade]

roger said:

Blade, I have watched you come a long way in a very short time. I can't wait to see what next year will bring for you.

Thanks Roger. It starts NOW. Off season is more important than pre contest IMO so time to grow and gain some quality muscle for next year.