Need good advices... and an update, and pics

[QuietBob]

For anybody interested...

I'm at the end of the contest season and am trying to decide what to do at this point--one more show or go to offseason mode. I normally keep most things to myself but I thought I'd air this out here as I respect everybody's opinion on this board and you've become my bodybuilding family, so here goes... this may get long so grab a protein shake or a cup of coffee and try to stay awake!

My competition goal for this year was to win Pro cards in the 3 natural organizations that I have the most access to and really see where I could go in this sport. I've been training since my teens (I'm 41) and competing for about the last 15 months, and have always seemed to be competitive onstage (which is why I've strived for the Pro qualifications). Thus far, I've done 5 shows since June (dieting since mid-Feb) with the following results:

June: OCB Oregon--Overall Masters Winner, 2nd Open
ABA/INBA--Mr. Reno--1st Open; Mr. Millenium--Overall Masters Winner, Mens Open Winner

July: INBF Capital Cities--Masters 2nd, Mens Open Winner (Pro Card with WNBF)

August: ABA/INBA Windsor Grand Prix--Masters Overall Winner, Open 1st

Sept: OCB Phoenix Natural--Masters 2nd, Mens Tall 3rd

So, I've earned a Pro Card with WNBF, qualified as a Pro with ABA/INBA (the way they work is that you have to compete in one of their Pro shows to get your Pro card), but fell short in the OCB which I feel in a few years may become the premier Natural organization out there, although at this time the WNBF has far more Pro shows.
The show I'm thinking of doing is the OCB NY State Naturals Nov. 3rd in Syracuse, NY. Now, why go all the way to NY from California for an amateur show? I'll try and list some things here so you know where I'm coming from but would really appreciate some outside input.

I'm still in shape. Three weeks before the last show I did (OCB Phoenix) I finally hired a diet coach. Up to that point I'd always did things on my own but still felt I was missing something and needed somebody else to get me there. In 3 weeks he got me in the best shape I've ever been in. One more show would give me an opportunity to prep one more time with him before hitting the Pro stage next year.
All Pro shows I'll do will involve lengthy travel by virtue of where I live, so this will give me a chance to get used to traveling (via Airplane) right before a show.
I'd like to see how I stack up against East-Coasters, which seems to have become the hotspot of Natural Bodybuilding. From what I've learned, this show is outstanding.
I love competing and have a blast at most shows.
I kind of feel like I have some unfinished business with the OCB ;D. The OCB Phoenix show was highly competitive, but as you can see it was the worst placings I've had this year. It was also the best shape I've been in. The gentleman I placed 2nd to in the Masters (he also came in 2nd in the Men's Tall Class) actually told me he thought I'd won the show. Numerous people backstage also came up to me prior to the Finals, congratulating me as the Overall winner. That's bodybuilding and that's the way it goes; I think the guys who came out ahead of me earned their placings, but it was nice to be acknowledged in that fashion.

Here is a link to pics from that show:

mikesimon.smugmug.com/gallery/3518679#199112745

I'm #26, green trunks for prejudging, black for night show. I believe the pics start with one of the trophy presentation for the Mens tall, with the tall winner taking the Overall as well. Any and all critiques and comments are appreciated!
Now, the cons:
Why the he!! go cross-country for an amateur show? Ego? Greed? Isn't NY really, really, really cold?! (It'll probably be 75 degrees where I live in early Nov!) Am I taking this too far...?
The bizarre thing is that my wife (the rational, frugal one) was totally supportive of this when I brought it up...
I'll also post some pics that my wife took of the show (biased, obviously, on me, so some of the other guys may not have been hitting their poses). Again, I appreciate any input from everybody and thanks for reading (if you still are!)

Bob



Mens Tall pre-judge: me #26, eventual overall winner, Tim Beamer #43

[QuietBob]

[QuietBob]

Frank Reed, #23 on my left, is the one who took the Master's and 2nd in the tall. He won the Masters and the Overall at this show 2 years ago. He and I got a long great on and offstage.
Running out of time. Will try and post a few more later.
Again, any thoughts, insite, etc is appreciated!

Bob

[Tim Wescott]

Bob,first of all,very impressive contest season....congratulations on all your success.


Secondly,you look amazing......great proportions and symettry,backand delts looked as if they are carved from stone!!


Last but cetainly not least,you said you had unfinished business in the OCB...............finish it!!! #arockon6ha#

[Tim Wescott]

Just wanted to add that you have the potential to be a pro in any natural organization without a doubt,so why not give it a shot....if you don`t quite make it this year,which is unlikely,you are only 41 and next year is not a long time to finalize your goals.


Good luck in whatever you decide Bob,and much respect!

[mrbeefy]

Bob!

Ditto to what Tim said. GREAT YEAR!

I can only tell you what I would do under similar circumstances:

Long way to travel? Well, look how far you've come!
If money is no object....

I would plan New York as my FINALE' for the year!

Since you have family support, make it a vacation.

Go for the competition, and give them hell, and then.........RELAX!....because you and your family have earned it.

Take in a show in NY. See some sites, whatever you want to do.
Make it a second honeymoon? B&B action?

Once you go into your off-season, your mind and body will relax, and rightly so, will start to heal from the year of beating! Then let yourself unwind, and rest in your laurels for the year. Take the time to make an attack plan for next year. Goals? Diet? Workouts? Work on weak areas (if any!). Get bigger? Leaner? more cut? Write it down and start the plan for next year, while everything is fresh in your mind.


You also cannot foresee the future. Who knows what may happen next year. If you feel ready ~ GO FOR IT!

IF not ~ Cool too.....but will you ask yourself....what if?...What if?....Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Regrets? We shouldn't have them, but how many times have you said, "Could-a ~ should-a ~ Would-a .....?

[RUBICON19]

Hey Bob! GREAT season! You are a HUGE inspiration! Go to NY and tak it home! I can feel your enthusiasm in your words! You sound very excited about this show. Ride the wave!! I am behind you 100%!!!

[GerryT]

Bob, you're a class act as an athlete and person.

If your budget can stand it, your family is behind you and your body says yes (always have to listen to what your body tells you; that is first priority), then go for it.

[QuietBob]

admin said:

Just wanted to add that you have the potential to be a pro in any natural organization without a doubt,so why not give it a shot....if you don`t quite make it this year,which is unlikely,you are only 41 and next year is not a long time to finalize your goals.


Good luck in whatever you decide Bob,and much respect!

Thanks, Tim. I could very well go out there and get my butt handed to me, but it still sounds like a fun show (and it would be nice to finish up business...)
Either way I'll probably shoot for my first Pro show late April or early May next year.

[QuietBob]

Frank, Randy, and Gerry,

Thanks for the support.
New York is a haul from where I live, but certainly do-able. Unfortunately, money will always be an object and this would be a solo trip (3 more tickets is not so do-able!). Nice thing is that the hotel will be free as I have enough points with Marriott to cover the trip.

You're absulutely right, Frank. For a long time I've lived my life with a philosophy of "no regrets." That actually led me to the bbing stage to begin with. I didn't want to be 70 looking back and wishing I'd have tried competing, so I did it...

Gerry, I actually feel great right now. After the Phoenix show we did a vacation where I ate a lot of great food (my wife says I ate more deserts than she's seen me eat over the last 5 years). By the time we got home I'd only gained about 7lbs from my contest weight. I feel like my body doesn't want me to hold fat right now...

Thanks again for the support and encouragement. Any comments on areas to work on (in a short period of time) from anybody who's viewed the pics?

Bob

[GerryT]

Glad to know you're feeling great, Bob. I don't see any real weaknesses. Perhaps just a bit more quad definition and sweep. But quads are not radically lagging.

Look balanced and well conditioned in the photos. Tremendous abs and serratus, and great back complete with Xmas tree. Just come in as hard and tight as you possibly can, and you should definitely contend.

[mrbeefy]

Bob,

You're quite welcome. You've worked hard, and it shows. Your physique looks great, and I concur with everything Gerry said.

It is a short time, so I would just keep tight on diet, and perhaps light full body workouts. Perhaps some leg curls to try to bring out a pinch more detail in your hamstrings.

And...pose, pose, pose.
I noticed that in the contests I've observed, the real winners always looked really natural, as if posing was second nature to them. No shaking, no funny faces. It looks like they enjoyed every second on stage...like it was effortless.

I haven't actually seen you pose, so you may be doing that already. Just something that makes the "cream rise to the top!"

Well...we wish you well my friend....whatever happens YOU ARE A WINNER...on stage...at your work....and with your loving family.

My last plug for your wife
She has supported you all this time, and you owe her big time buddy! SInce she may not accompany you, try to plan something special when you get back. Make it something she'll remember for a long time. For example...if she works, show up at her place of work in a tuxedo, with roses in hand...publickly thank her for allowing you to be the happiest man in the world...by being his wife...then take her away somwhere! Just an example, but you get the idea.

Go for it Bob! Can't wait to hear all the details!

[Intensity]

Bob, from what you said, in my opinion, it's a yes! I mean, you CAN -You are in top condition and no injury is forcing you not to do it- and you seem EXCITED about the idea - Your mind is into it and you talk like a man who feels like going on stage one more time this year. So let's go, do it and ENJOY!

I remember being in the same situation in 2005… I finally decided to go to the show in Toronto (8 hours drive from Montreal) and I truly made the best decision possible! I had so much fun… and it just incresed my desired to progress as a bodybuilder!

As far as commenting on the areas you should work on, I would say that in that period of time, just make sure you reach your top condition…

Good luck!

[mrky03]

Bob, you look fantastic! If its in your budget and you have the desire to press on after a lengthy contest season, I say go for it!

You might have posted this in the past but what are your stats, height, weight?

Good job my friend!

[QuietBob]

Thanks, guys.
It'll probably come down to getting the time off work. I've stayed on the contest diet and think I'm leaner now than at the last show.
I also told my diet coach that we're on....
I've just had a great time at the shows I've done this year and love competing.\
Joel: height about 5' 11"; weight this morning 190lbs

Agree, Mo. Conditioning is key, and I think I can still shed a bit more fat off this body!

Thanks,

Bob