the next big adventure...

what is up with blogger???i cant comment on any ones posts!!! GRRRRR
I'm still reading yall,promise!
anyways, so while i was running yesterday(i got in 7 miles PAIN FREE!!!) i was able to think about training,contest prep,etc etc..
AND
i am 95% sure i am competing NPC in 7 weeks
a national qualifier
in7 weeks.

FMC started today and clean eats did a well.
prep mode has started!

now granted,prep will be different this time.
i need to come in a touch softer and fuller,not as lean as last show....
will this be hard to do?
physically-NO
mentally-YES!!!
i am so wired to go balls to the wall and get as lean and detailed as possible without crossing the line into BB....
will i still work hard and do my best to achieve the results i want?
 yes,but not without some pouting due to decreasing my miles a bit.
on the flip side,less cardio may be a good thing to help me stay injury free. i can get kindof carried away with running and such....
 i did wake up excited about FMC though.
excited about prep,but not without apprehensions. its been almost 4 years since ive been on the NPC stage.
I'm hoping I've got what it takes to make top 5 at this show so i can go on and compete at jr nationals next year and snag that IFBB pro card I've been dreaming about for so long!!!!!
I've been in the shadows too long,
time to step in the light,
time to to start chasing down that dream
time to start making things happen.....

come follow me along this next big adventure!

thinking again.....

just some thoughts going on in my head right now-
feels like my brain is going 100mph!
*to compete through NPC in august and not NGA
*to take summer off and just put all my efforts toward the world cup in October
*to compete BOTH in august (NPC) and October (IFPA)
*nervous about going NPC again,but know i need to if i expect to turn IFBB pro and make it to the Arnold stage
*if doing the show in August,training needs to starts in 4weeks,after that show there would be 9 weeks until the Yorton.....not too crazy about doing 2 shows that far apart. not too sure how my body would handle it. what keeps me thinking i can do it? i don't have to come in as lean for NPC,(can have more carbs!) and 9 weeks would give me time to make adjustments for October....
what makes me want to take summer off? wanting to be 100% supermom for my kids this summer. last summer i was big belly pregnant and miserable,i wasn't much fun.
this summer i want it to be different. this is the last summer i have with my preschooler before she turns into a big kid kindergartner....
this is the last summer have with my itty bitty baby before she hits that big girl 1year...
this is the last summer i have with a soon to be biggest kid in the family cause hes about to be a big 2nd grader...
not that it cant be done,training,dieting down and having a fun summer-but i would be dieting down during my husbands b-day,our anniversary,my baby's first b-day and then in October,my sons b-day.
now granted,i don't have to partake of all the yummy goodness of birthday treats,but those days are special to my husband and kids,and i want to be able to enjoy these moments with them....

on the flip side...
I've been wanting to see if i could be on the NPC stage again and hold my own
if i  do well at an NQ,i could go on to jr nats next summer and get closer to my goal
surely i can hold on for 9 more weeks after that without losing my mind? and still come in in October looking my best ever? what happens if i get burnt out physically? mentally?
would it all be worth it?
and then the thinking train starts all over again...
lots on my mind,lot to think about,
but i do know that whichever route i go,i know that shows will always be there-it wont be the end of the world if i just do one more show this year and not 2,
and if i choose to add one more show in the mix,the inner athlete,that competitive side of me would not allow me to disappoint myself and not go in a show looking my best...
will keep things updated!

blogger has been giving me trouble and i cant leave comments-i am reading up on blogs so don't feel like I'm negletcing! i just cant post comments!
grrrrrrrrr

its not over...

nope,this journey is not over!
just getting started!
more plans,more training,more,more,more......
so my big plans?
June- runamuck mud run...3.5 miles of obstacle filled course-details at
http://www.marinemarathon.com/MCM_Event_Series/Run_Amuck.htm

July-road races

August 6th-Potomac Cup...in my excitement over winning a WNBF pro card and qualifyung for the World cup,it slipped my mind that as of May 2nd,i lost pro status through NGA (i didn't compete in the 2yr time frame) The show in August is  Pro qualifier,so why not try to reclaim my card?possibility i may not get it this show,but will try!


September-possible Ragnar relay-whats this? http://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/dc
 a 200 mile relay run.its not set in stone just yet-I'm actually on call as a backup runner-deep down i secretly hope i will be called in for this!

October-YORTON WORLD CUP!!!!,and a possible 10k the next day....yup,that's how i roll......

NOW...my training plans?
ummmmmm
well this past week i have been in the gym again
and the post show bloats are slowly fading,and I'm starting to feel just a tad bit normal again....
10 wks until the Potomac cup, so training for that starts in 3 weeks,right after my B-day!
will take 3-4 weeks off and then hit training for World Cup,which will set me at 7- 8 wks to prepare,depending on how my physique is looking.
i need to come in fuller,(but still lean)similar to these pics taken on May 3rd......

coming in fuller translates into more carbs leading up to show day (yay!)
 i also have to get a stronger V.......(may have to bring shoulders up more-swimming may be in order here.my exact plan of attack is still to be decided!)
21 weeks and 6 days to bring it!

After the Dream Tan fades....

I cant believe its been 12 days since I've walked off the stage,12 days since this phase of prep has ended....
7 days since the tan faded....
feeling behind on this post,but here goes!

Things I re-learned along the way to the Pro stage......
Never underestimate your competition
Never underestimate yourself
I am stronger than what i think,both mentally and physically
Preparation H lathered all over the belly and booty and cellophane wrapped and left overnight,draws up and dries out the subcutaneous water you hold before a show-works wonders when your in a pinch to see abs again!
I missed having a bowl of cereal with my kids more than i would think
I missed having the energy to play with my kids more than i thought,but learned how to have fun and mask my tiredness and soreness anyways
I can keep ketchup and fat free butter spray,natural peanut butter and rice cakes in my contest prep meal plan without sacrificing anything..
everything tastes better with ketchup during contest prep
even at 5% body fat,i still didn't feel skinny when i was bloated over
Pictures makes you look bigger than what you are in person
Overindulging on EVERYTHING in sight after a show is the best way to get carb face and stay bloated and hold on to fat....(yeah,just call me carbfaced right now,lol!)
Eating what you've been craving for weeks on end after a show is fine and for the first 36 hours afterwards..THEN up the water intake and GRADUALLY add back in the foods that were cut during the final weeks of prep-this cuts back on post show bloats and that dreaded weight gain!!! and also helps metabolism staying check and not get so thrown off!!
the crust from my kids peanut butter and honey sandwiches really does taste like a small slice of heaven!!!
Chocolate rice cake with 1tsp PNB,1 tsp honey and 1tsp fat free/sugar free chocolate sauce is a great quick fix for a chocoholic during contest prep!
Food will always be there after a show,but the time spent with loved ones, friends and family wont be,so spend time with those you love,even if you cant partake of all the good food you so desperately crave!!
hard work pays off,
strength and endurance will always prevail,
blood,sweat and tears will wash away but will always leave an impression in your soul

sometimes its the journey and not the destination that makes us better stronger individuals...
Success does not come without the effort and and drive to achieve it-
Regardless of titles or placements,as long as you stay focused,stay positive and do your best,you will always walk away a winner-YOU are the trophy and having the guts to step foot on stage in a tiny posing suit,5" heels,tons of make up,a fake tan,fake nails and a feeling like NOTHING is impossible-well,that's a victory in and of itself!

Pushing fear and self doubt aside removes MANY obstacles-don't sweat the small stuff,just focus on things you can control,leave the rest in God's hands!!

**i am stronger than what i think,physically and mentally
i am able to push myself above and beyond what i thought was physically and mentally possible-
just when i thought i couldn't go any more,do anymore,i somehow managed to push above and beyond my expectations
regardless of what others people subjective opinion of me is,after the dream,after the makeup,after the heels are off and the dream tan fades away,i am left with ME,the super mom me,the wife me,the pro figure athlete me,the hypercritical me....but it is a me that i am very proud of,and i am very happy to have made the journey to where i am now.......


so whats next?
what now?
what are my training plans??

saving that for the next post,
in the meantime,i am trying to get rid of the post show bloats.....
I'm back in the gym,back on track with workouts...
but with nutrition??
lets just say i am easing back into the healthy nutrition plan,and making room for moderation.
i didn't do a reverse meal plan right after the show,and I'm feeling it now..(no worries,i can still fit in my clothes,most my abs are gone though!too much sodium,too little water,too much junk,too little will power)
i know what needs to be done,
so its on to getting my rear in gear with everything.
it HAS been nice eating cereal with my kids and feeling a sense of nutritional freedom though...it also feels GREAT to have so much energy now,to start feeling a sense of "normalcy" return....
and, my husband is enjoying having his wife back!!

happy Thursday yall!

half marathon recap!!!

wow,I'm so behind on blogging and keeping up with others! sorry for the lack of comments yall!
will try to do better!
anyways,on to one of the shortest race recaps!
Sunday morning,5:30am I'm awake and feeling tight and achiness in my muscles/bones/joints...rain does not make me feel good!
in the back of my mind,i feel almost relieved i wasn't "racing",but on the same token,i was also a whole heck of a lot  just a little disappointed that my hip/IT wouldn't allow me to run fast. i knew my body couldn't handle any speed,so i just accepted the fact and decided to treat this race as a long,slow training run (and to help burn off all the chocolate,peanut butter and white carbs i have regretfully indulged in this past week!)
 so after a mini breakfast of cheerios with 1/2 a banana (and a diet coke) i took some ibuprofen and got ready to run. race was at 7,i was already preregistered the day before,so i leave at 6:15,planning to get to the race site by 6:30. ha! i also *forgot* this was a monster huge race and parking would be non existent after 5:30am.....
SO at 6:40,i finally find a parking spot about 1.5miles away from the main area of the event. you know its a bad sign when the mall parking lots are full by 6:30AM on a Sunday!
so after a nice brisk power walk to the starting line,i have about 5 minutes to spare before the gun.
side note-it was nice to be able see so many military,young and old participate or volunteer. very very grateful and humbling feelings while making the hike to the start. one thing that got me was when the national anthem was played..i wasn't to the start yet,but could hear it from where i was. everyone around me stopped,and i immediately saw 5 men,3 old,2 young, stand at attention,as if in full uniform. these guys were racing that day,in full runners gear,and it made my heart proud to see the older gentlemen salute the anthem in that manner...with respect,honor and gratitude...
:)
so,after i did get to the start,i got there in time to hear Drew Carey say a few words before he fired the starting pistol for the wheelchair racers...and then a one minute countdown and we were all off...all (almost)6,000 of us.
HOLY claustrophobic feeling like a sardine in a can feeling,batman! i was boxed in right at the start,and for the next 3 minutes it was a slow walk to the starter line..and even after that-for the next 5 miles,it was elbow to elbow!
so mile one,uneventful-just trying to feel out my hip pain,and figure out what pace i could go at without pain. which i couldn't have gone fast even if i tried. too many ppl around to make a clear path (without knocking someone over) so i just sit back,relax, take in the scenery,and try not to think about having to go pee.
2 miles in,the clock reads 19:07....9:30 min mile pace? really? i mean really? geez I'm going slow!
so i pick my pace up a bit,still trying to figure out how fast i could go without pain.

meanwhile i am so loving just being able to slog run,just to have the ability to physically run and finish a half marathon. im also loving that this race is HUGE and there are so many people to talk to.( i see a few ppl from the gym and think in the back of my mind,ok i have to pass these people eventually!) there are also so many spectators cheering us on. i cant believe how many people are out there supporting all of runners!
miles 3-5 go by fast.i laugh out loud as i pass a sign in a front yard that read:
"4 houses down until a slight down hill"
 LOL!!! that part of the course was a tad hilly,but not bad!
at this point,I'm seriously on the look out for a porta potty cause i really have to pee!
so mile 6 i find one!
i have NEVER had to stop in the middle of a race to use the bathroom,ever. i had to wait in line for ?? 2 minutes maybe?not that bad i guess?
so after I'm back on the road to run,i try to catch sight of the gym ppl. while I'm trying to do this,i have to add that the military men and women volunteering here were awesome at cheering us on! i mean every one was hollering at us,encouraging us and just downright cheerful...LOVED IT!
so the next 2 miles take me through historic downtown,around old neighborhoods....even the locals were in on supporting us! so many signs in front yards,kids handing out twizzlers,setting up their sprinkler sets so we could run through them,little old men and women coming out on their front porch,kids on the side of the streets hands out,wanting to give away their high fives! and yep,you betcha I'm a sucker for kiddos and high fives! so I'm loving this,loving the support,loving the live bands every mile or so,loving the non pressure to not go balls to the wall,to not "race",loving just the feeling of running for the sake of running and not to PR,loving the overcast muggy weather,loving being surrounded in my "element",love just being a part of this race!

mile 8,i catch up to trainer guy from the gym, we chat for the next 2 miles,gym talk,and again,I'm feeling in my element...running a half marathon while talking about working out-my 2 passions combined! yeah!
and THEN....Hospital Hill.....
stuck at mile 10,and then a smaller hill,but just as daunting at mile 11....
i tell trainer guy to stay with me-he falls behind a bit and I'm just plugging away,encouraging everyone i pass,giving pats on the back for those walking....I'm feeling great at this point,legs feel good,hip has been tight,but tolerable....
spectators along the hillside are awesome at being cheerleaders...
i finally make it to the top of the hill,greeted by cheers from volunteers....me and about 10 other runners sigh a breath of relief and laugh just cause we made it up without dying. i catch up to state trooper guy and stay with him for the next 2.1 miles....i try to push him along up Cowan hill at mile 11...small talk until mile 12. and then we are just on the look out for the finish line.he is trying to hold on to pace and I'm encouraging him along the way. and then finally,we see the huge banners,hear the bands,pass under the huge American flag,hear the roar of the huge crowds gathered along the side of the streets....
and i tell trooper guy to go ahead and sprint to the finish,there was no way i could go any faster than what i was...
so off he went
and i cross the line feeling like a million bucks(aside from hip tightness)
 i have never felt so good after a race i didn't "race"...
i get a finisher medal,a bag to put all my goodies in,grab a finishers picture and head home. no point in staying for awards,i knew i didn't stand a chance at placing today.
now THAT,that was a strange feeling I'm not used to....
but in a way,it was nice. just a long slow training run and back home by 9:30AM...
my kids were still in their jammies with sleepy faces on!
2 hours later,i felt the aches and pains set in,
man it sucks getting old!
Monday i was sore in my hip/IT and was feeling down and out about it,
but today i was able to get in a  much needed HIIT in the gym....
so there it is, the 1/2 mary recap-the race i wanted to PR on so bad!
i was on pace to hit hit 1:36-1:38.....before getting injured...
and my time? in case you missed it last post,here it is:

http://results.active.com/pages/oneResult.jsp?pID=108258907&rsID=109839

am i disappointed? of course,but i really cant complain at all. i ran smart,i didn't re-injur myself,i just had a relaxing fun run,and some days you need that!
i really cant wait to get back into speed work and some 5k's though,but that is another post for a another day-
ive rambled much too long already....
 be on the look out for post-comp plans coming soon!

more pics.....

 just a few more pics......the one below-i look like a kid,my size is really noticeable!

 why the rest of the pics wouldn't turn upright,???? but anyways,loving my back here!

and here!

love the triceps popping out!

look at the quad/ham separation....

and check out the quads here.....

 can ya tell i was mostly happy with how i looked on show day?
wish my abs would have been out.
 i STILL don't know how to get them to pop on stage...
.need to work on poise and pose some more as well....
need to work on side poses,
need to work on a lot of things......
i could make a humongo list of what needs improvement,but right now,I'm focusing on the positives!

happy weekend yall!
1/2 marathon recap coming soon!
one of the best races i have ever ran-and i didn't "race"...i just jogged it and had fun!
So not the PR i had planned it to be,but there is always next year!

http://results.active.com/pages/oneResult.jsp?pID=108258907&rsID=109839

anyhoo,
more blogging later,
more thoughts on show day,training,and all that fun stuff in between!

picture time!

a few pics of the weekend! the first few -ironbeast clothing! the rest are stage pics wish i had better ones that show my legs better! anyways here ya go!

got figure?

above-Kristen and i backstage...representing ironbeast!

above: the pushup that felt like i had an elephant sitting on my back! i was sooooooo exhausted!

for a little bit,judges stuck me right between first and second place gals!

mid back pose

finally next to some short gals! love the detail in my back here!

ok so they put me between the tall gals for a while.....just call me lil miss mcshorty!

start of the night T-walk....

part of the line up

oh!im between the first and second place gals again! loving my legs here!

night T-walk triceps pose....

the line up at night show..can you see me?

the top 5......

can yall see the judging trend for that night?

softer,fuller muscles with strong V tapers....

ALL of the ladies on stage that night look awesome in my eyes! we all had strengths,something to bring to the table.....

the feedback i received:

too lean,too small,need fuller muscles,thicker back,stronger V....

do i agree with that? YES!

i was by far the leanest athlete and the smallest in regards to muscle size. while i am comparable with these ladies,i still need to fine tune everything and be sure to come in the next show not nearly as depleted and stressed! i still plan on coming in lean,just a little bit fuller.....i have 4.5 months to tweak out the details! once i have some better pictures to do comparisons with,i will post those side by side...

there was a big difference between the 2 shows i did.

measurements first show:

hips-29.5

waist-20.5

thigh-14.5

arm-19.1

measurements for the pro show:

hips-28.5

waist-19.8

thigh-14.0

arm-9.0

i over dieted.i should have done a repeat of the week prior. my body loves carbs. if i take them out,i get lean quick!

but hindsight is 20/20. i still have time to figure out my plan of attack for the world cup!!!!! yeeeee that was exciting typing that out!

more thoughts on that later,as with comparison pics!!!

happy Friday yall!!!!!

Time to play the game...show recap!(semi part 2)

so picking back where i left off....
click here for events leading up to this moment....

before i get to the nitty gritty,i have to say this is by far,the smoothest running show to date. VERY well ran,well expidited event. everyone backstage was so willing to help all of us athletes,and we stayed well informed of the sequence of events...very very very well organized event!
 ok,so now on to the recap-long post ahead just to warn ya! (and btw title of post is clue to song i walked out too,read on to listen!) i apologize in advance for any rambles thrown in!

so Allison and I are off to the show-running late and me in a state of  a stress frenzy. Allison is awesome though and lets me vent and rant and rave...she does her best to try to get my nerves calmed down a bit,bless her heart!
her husband has my kids call me and wish me luck...almost cried over that one!
i missed them already!

so we get to the venue at 10:31-show starts at 11am SHARP....
we get her trainer pass,head to the back rooms,find a place to set my stuff down and we go to work getting my nails on and trying to fix my make up...my skin is dry so it looks like i have splotches of dark skin all over my face...i have no moisturizer to help out so it is just a "hope this doesn't look this bad on stage under the lights" moment.
by the time this is done,the women's bodybuilding pros are being corralled to pump up/tanning area....(men pros were already coming off stage!).figure pros are right after!
things are running on time and VERY smooth back stage.very well expedited event!!!!!
i have to pump up,and quick!
i grab a bite of chocolate,find some dbs and start working....
get a few pics in my new ironbeauty shirt...

yes that is my figure on the back!!!!
my sponsor had this one made special!!!!
will have pics of me wearing it next post!

anyways,
small talk with a few competitors,find my Ironbeast girl,Kristen(shes sponsored by ironbeast clothing too! http://www.ironbeastclothing.com/ )chat for a minute,then keep pumping up!
soon figure gals are being rounded up-i take my stuff off and head on down to the holding area,my friend follows me along,helps me grab a bite of Reece's peanut butter cup and she goes off to grab a seat and take pics....
the figure gals are lined up,im 13th of the 15 in the line up...
here we go,time to be on stage!
really!
i just got here!
really???
this is happening so fast!
very surreal feeling.
we all walk out on stage-too many of us to make one long line so I'm fighting my way amongst the gals to be front row.....
we all get called to the back row,and then the numbers are being called out.
5 gals get called up first-my heart sinks.....i figured they would do 3 rounds of 5,and i wasn't in top 5. my mind goes blank,i zone out,and then i hear my friend said "go 32!"
what? oh crap! they called me up there! group of 7! I'm in the top call out!!!!!! whooooo!
so i get up there,we hold turns forever....
I'm posing so hard my ears pop.
I'm posing so hard i catch a cramp between my shoulder blades and in my calves.
I'm actually laughing on stage because its either laugh or cry!
more gals get called up,i don't get called down.
more posing,more turns-I'm shaking,I'm sweating,I'm laughing!
i keep thinking to smile and relax,but I'm jittery,a nervous calm?
 i get moved around,close to the middle,on the ends,a few places in between...i have no idea where i sit in the line up at all.
the  last group of gals get called up,a few get called back-I'm still there-trying to keep it tight,trying to hold it together...
i try to focus on my friend who is doing a great job hollering at me to keep my quads out,flex my back harder,etc etc...she really helped me stay focused on stage!
I'm thinking of my family,missing my husband,wishing he were there hollering his loud yell...
I'm thinking to myself...
OMG! i cant believe I'm here,on this stage again,with these amazing group of gals,
i cant believe in on the PRO stage almost 9 months after giving birth,
i made it here!
heck yeah ill smile away!
and oh me oh my,OUCH!
i felt like passing out!
and finally,finally after a few more turns and a few more smiles,a few more hollers from the crowd to "hang in there ladies!"
we filed off stage.
the hard part was done-over.
it was all in the judges hands now,
was it enough?
did i have what it took to hold my own?
just a few hours and ill find out!

right after getting off stage,i breathed a sigh of relief,a sigh of pure exhaustion.
i was tired beyond belief,sweaty and so relieved to be walking off the stage!
 my friend came back and showed me pics she had taken-she said i looked better than the last show,more detailed......
but i also looked TIRED-
and i was.
4 weeks of averaging 1-2hrs a night,on top of training and dieting down,takes a toll on a person.add in stress on show day?? bleh,not pretty....
after reviewing the pics,i knew i was too small,too lean....
i looked like a kid next to some of those gals.
but it is what is its,

time to call hubs and then grab some lunch and then watch my friend in the amature figure....
i called my husband and he was still sick,poor guy! i know its hard taking care of a baby when your not feeling well and i assured him that i would be home as soon as i was done with awards-which wouldn't be much longer-pros were out first!
i also gave him the rundown of the show....

after a subway trip for my friend and a rice cake with PNB for me (i had NO appetite what so ever)
i met up with my other friend and for the next 2 hours we all watched the rest of pre-judge.
i apologize to Tracy,Corey,Kristen and Allison for the loopy state of mind i was in.
i felt like dog poo and was trying hard to be coherent to others around me,but it was hard.
i felt dazed,tired,loopy,queasy,light headed and just plain run down.

normally i would be stressing over how prejudge went,but at this point i was too tired to think about it,i had other things on my mind like my sick hubby and  my kids!
the end of prejudge is at 3:50 and the night show started at 4pmon the dot.
time to get back stage and get dolled up again.
i touch up make up and start *trying* to pump up.
but I'm too exhausted to get much done. 10lb plates feel like 500lbs!
things move fast from here.....
before i know it,figure gals are called on for T walks,they reverse the order so i am 3rd one out!
now i am nervous!!!!
my named gets called,bio card read (they forgot to mention i had an 8 month old baby) and them my song blared....
and here it is,the song i walked out to:
don't laugh,i love it!
click here to listen

i forgot to smile a lot and act sassy,i felt dead on my feet so i just went through the motions...
no response from the crowd,just a lone voice of Allison...
ahhh well,
its done!
now i just wait for the other gals to go through their walks...
small talk with the other pros backstage was nice...very very very sweet group of ladies!
watched the rest of the t-walks and was simply amazed at the caliber of athletes here.
amazed.
and in awe.
so glad i wasn't a judge!!!!!

and then it was time for top 5,im #32,
so i hear #30,#31,#33.....and i knew i didn't make top 5.....
*sigh*
i hang around for a minute to see the final placements,congratulate all the gals, tell them how great they look,and then i go to the back room to get my stuff and leave-i had a sick hubby to get home too!

my friend forced me to eat subway on the way home,and I'm so thankful she did!
subway never tasted sooooooo good!!!!
and that long awaited frappacino tasted like heaven!
and then it was a walmart trip for hubs and then got my older 2 kids and headed home,empty handed.
i felt bummed out about not reaching my initial goal of top 5,but in the back of my mind i was hoping i made the top half so i could still qualify for the world cup.
would email the promoter to find out placings later...
 so that night hubs passed the baby off and quarantined himself upstairs for the weekend...

then the next day emailing started and then i found out the news about qualifying.
totally made the weekend worth it!
still have a lot more thoughts on this but will save that for later,
I've rambled much too long already-
for those still with me-
bless your hearts and THANK YOU!!!!
thank you to all my blogger followers for cheering me along this journey,especially when i needed it the most!
the final 2 weeks were HARD!
but i pulled through,
i survived!
and THANK YOU to Allison,for EVERYTHING! you were what kept me together the past 2 weeks!

 things i learned along the way and thoughts on training for World cup and of course some pics will be coming soon!
let me know what yall think of my song!

this just in.....

http://www.thenaturalmusclenetwork.com/IFPA/Contests/resultsIFPA20110507VA.html

guess who (by the skin of her posing suit) qualified for the world cup??????

October 29th is the big day!
lots of work to be done in the next 5 months.

although i love being super lean,judges feedback was that i was TOO lean....
perhaps i was just a *tad* overbaord crazy over zealous about losing the baby weight?
:)
wow,this news totally made the weekend worth it!!!

pictures and full recap coming soon!!!!!!!!!
but click on the link above and it will lead you to show pics!!!!!!

the (mis)adventures of peak week! part 1

before a recap,let me explain about peak week....
for some reason,its NEVER stress free....something always happens that leaves me stressed to the max.
will try to make it as brief as possible
and in hind sight,the chain of events that led up to show day might not sound all that bad,might be trivial to some,but in my carb depleted,over trained,underfed mind,it seemed worse than what it was....
so here goes---
Saturday-after show #1-i broke out in itchy red hives all over,stayed there for 3 itchy days....
Sunday-attempted to run fast but couldn't.  the 12 miler,(crucial to 1/2 marathon training,) i had planned,didn't happen. did get in a collective 10 throughout the day
Monday- hip/IT band would not allow for plyos OR sprints.totally bummed,tried to make lemonade and did HIIT on other cardio equipment-up all night with a fussy baby
Tuesday-exhausted feeling.up all night with a fussy baby---more so than her normal fussy self at night
Wednesday-still a no go for sprints. my scheduled 10x400 repeats,crucial for 1/2 mary training didn't happen.my body started to get bloaty and crampy. wiped out,exhausted feeling...feeling "off" and emotional.no rest for the weary that night either.
Thursday-full depletion time.my body loves carbs,so its always hard to give them up.may be TMI but TOM showed up.wth???? i just ended a cycle 7 days ago,why is it back? never had this happen. I've been on a 40 day cycle,a 60,have missed months,but never had back to back cycles.this made me want to cry. i always bloat during that time,always gain 5lbs of water during that time. i have competed before during my cycle,and it is horrible. anyways,this threw me for a huge loop. i was so scared all my hard work would not show up on stage,that it would all be bloated over. i felt devastated.all sorts of thoughts in my mind...did i peak to soon? will i be flat on show day,will i stay this bloated,should i cut calories and carbs?should i do something drastic to see results?
my gut tells me NOT to do anything crazy. my husband suggests that i eat steak on both Thursday and Friday night to help my muscles look fuller. so Thursday night,my bloated self ate a steak!
Friday-woke up to rock hard abs,YAY! but that was short lived...i bloated over again by late morning.cramps from hell!!!!
when it was time to carb up,i was scared too.didnt want to eat too much for fear of bloating. BUT i followed my nutrition to a T,except for adding in an extra meal....steak and sweet potato! i was just HOPING the process would work and i would look amazing for Saturday....NO sleep whatsoever on Friday night,except for a quick 30 minute catnap- lil M wasn't as fussy,but i just could not sleep-too many thoughts in my head?nervous,excited,expecting the worst,hoping for the best...and then...
show day.........
off to a rough start to say the least. as I'm frantically getting last minute things ready,the kids dressed and ready,my bag packed,the diaper bag ready..my husband starts getting SICK,like minutes before we have to leave.
really?
this cant happen now.not on my big day!
so not only is my husband puking,he is still trying to convince me he is OK to go to the show with all 3 kids.
no he is not OK.
so I'm frantically trying to think of what i need to do. we live out of state,far away from family,we don't have a babysitter-who to call? what to do? talk to my friend who is coming to the show-she says that it would be hard or her to watch the baby,she tells me to call her back in a minute so she can think of something.
gah! i had to leave 5 minutes ago!!
hubs tells me to take the older kids with me and he will watch the baby. she would be to hard for anyone else to deal with and my friend could help watch the older 2.
so i get the older 2 and head out the door,running late to the competitors meeting.as I'm leaving i call my friend and tell her whats going on-she tells me to take the older kids to her house so her husband can watch them and she would drive me to the show....
I'm a hot bloated mess on my way to her house-my hair is done but make up is not,i had trouble with the foundation and i look like i don't know what. i want to cry.NOTHING is going my way.at all. and i wanted this day to be special with my family,and now i have a pukey sick husband taking care of a baby and dropping off my other kids at someones house. they were so excited to see me on stage,i really wanted my family to be there since they weren't last show....(but the kids were also excited to have play dates with my friends 2 children....)
and then my hives come back....
I'm itching like crazy everywhere,
i start to feel sick,am i getting sick now? will the kids get sick?
i am stressed.
i have a phobia of vomit to begin with,so adding this all to the mix?
anxiety levels are high,
I'm running late for the show,my makeups not done,my fake nails aren't on,my tan is splotching,my suit has a twist in the front that i cant fix,I'm yelling at the kids in the car because they wont stop fighting.......
and then we get to my friends house,i put the fear of god in my children to be on  best behavior,thank my friends husband profusely (i may or may noy have promised to buy him lots of beer),and them me and Allison are off to the show..........

recap coming next post!

quick update!

dead tired,long day,
highly stressful day
will post pics/details/recap later...
didn't place top 5--- I'm way too small,(once i get the pics yall will see!!!)
but did make top call outs,
i did hold my own,
i did come in looking lean,mean and awesome!!! would much rather come into a show lean and conditioned,than not......
felt confidant on stage bc i didn't have time to be nervous....
it was such an amazing feeling being in stage today!!!!
amazing!
i posed my eardrums out! we held quarter turns forever and a day,at least 15-25 minutes...
was in complete awe at the caliber of competitors,amazed at how down to earth and sweet these pro gals are!
cant wait to post some pics when i get them! I'm so proud of my legs!!!!
anyways,this has been one crazy day!
peak week never holds good things for the Cunningham household,and wow,this week has been no different!
more on that in a later post.....(stay tuned for the misadventures of peak week post!!!!)
anyways,time to prop my feet up,have that cadburry cream egg now and hopefully tomorrow will be better!
gonna have that bowl of cereal in the morning!
OH and my first meal after the show??
subway!
subway club on wheat,no bacon,but WITH cheese (YUMMO) and little bit of chipotle sauce... chased it down with a frapacino and a handful of sun chips.....
2 more meals of the "good stuff" then on to reveres diet-gradually adding back in things so i don't bloat out and gain a million pounds-
i know i cant splurge too much-the half marathon is in 7 days!
a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been cheering me on along this crazy journey of mine. I'm so sorry i didn't bring home the gold,BUT what i can say,is that i brought one heck of a physique to that stage-my personal best so soon after a baby!!
don't know my exact placing just yet but will keep yall updated.....might be a slim chance i can still make it to the wold cup-the top half qualify....15 gals in group,i need to be in top 7! wish me luck!

and yes I'm a little bummed abut not getting top 5,yes this has been hell week,but i made it through!tis the journey and not the destination in this case....
again thank you to everyone!!
will try to be a better blogger and catch up some blogs here now.....apologies for lack of leaving comments!
oh and happy mothers day weekend!

hope those mommies out there have a grrreat day!

T-12 HOURS.....

well, got checked in last night,polygraphed,got my # (32!)
have 3rd coat of tanner on waiting for it to dry so i can try to get some sleep.
I'm a nervous ball of energy,
 very excited,
trying not to over think things
feel like a bloated mess,
but hoping that changes by 12pm tomorrow!
just gotta trust the process....!
hard to believe that all this training,all this hard core nutrition stuff,ALL of that,is leading up to tomorrow.
it about to be here,the time to see if i still have what it takes to hold my own on the pro stage.
this is the hardest i have prepared for an event like this-which says a lot because i thought last time was the hardest i ever worked.
proved myself wrong!
in a good way!
yay!

this week has been hard,but i know it will be worth it.
i don't care if i place first or dead last at this show.
just to be able to make it on the pro stage again,so soon after a baby,is an amazing feeling already!
NOW all i am hoping for at this event is to be able to walk on stage and look like i belong....if i can do that,then that is validation enough for me....
I'm anticipating everything,
expecting nothing
other than doing,bringing and being my personal best!!!!!

will try to give updates,but if not will def post something by Monday....
I'm really looking forward to mothers day weekend and having a frapacino and a bowl of cereal with milk!!!
oh and pasta,and Easter candy.....
AND to have some"normalcy" again.
my husband wants his wife back!!!!!!!
:D
:D

anyways,will leave yall (ie re-post)with a poem i wrote after a Sunday long run while preparing for my first Pro show almost 2yrs ago...
enjoy
SUNDAY ASPHALT
My Sunday asphalt
has become my sanctuary without walls
a place of solace and solitude
a time to reflect on the day
that lies before me,
that lies behind me
a time to talk to God.
as each mile passes
i pray for strength
i ask for help
to be my best.
while the world and sun sleeps
i am running before dawn
training by sun break,
fine tuning my body like a machine.
do i have what it takes
to be my best?
to have the will power
and dedication
this sport requires?
at times
My life is measured
by the week
by the day
by the hour
My life is measured
by the inch,
by the ounce
by the gram
and by the magic power
of every third hour-
what bliss eggwhites and oatmeal can bring!
for a moment in time
Mrs dash and splenda
become my best friends,
for a moment in time
my life is consumed
with calculated meal plans
complex carbs
proteins,
high heels
blinged out suits
quarter turns
poses and poise....
for a moment in time
My life is measured
by one moment on stage
a group comparison
and four quarter turns-
and what it comes down to
is someones SUBJECTIVE opinion
of my OBJECTIVE idea
to be the best.
for a moment
my life is measured,
and for a moment on stage,
i turn to the right
smile
keep it tight
relax
smile
keep it tight...
for a moment on stage
i am my best,
i have what it takes
i made the journey here,
i am victorious,
regardless of placing or titles!

My Sunday asphalt
has become my sanctuary without walls.......

brief recap!

ok,a brief recap-----where to start?the weekend was a blur really. guess i should rewind to peak week. as most know,peak weeks are notorious for being choas in the Cunningham houshold.

quick rundown:

the day before peak week for this show started,lil M fractured her femur and was put in a full leg cast. the same day she was casted,my husband rolled his ankle-bad. and me,well my hip is all sorts of gimp right now-wasnt able to do sprints or plyos like i needed to. all of this combined together for a stressful week,with LITTLE sleep. the night before the show. M starts to get a cough. she is coughing so hard she is vomiting. again,for those that have followed for a while,know i have a phobia of vomit. although my husband stayed up with her that night,i was still awake when she was bc i was worried she would puking all night. turns out she didn't,she just had a lot of flem and needed to get it up. bright and early at 4AM i was in the shower,then had hubby help put the final coat of dream tan on. while it was drying i was putting on make up,getting my hair dry and getting it flat ironed. 5:30 i put some clothes on,6AM babysitter arrives,6:15 hubs leaves for his Scottish highland games,6:30 my friend gets here to drive us to the venue.8 am we make a stop to Walgreen's to get sparkle eyeshadow. we get to the place,she helps me get the final touches of makeup done,tan spoltches fixed...Allison was a gem! anyways and then we wait with our frien Corey,who is also competing. we wait and wait.figure open short is the LAST group to go on. so i have time to get nervous.........Allison and Corey are there to help calm my nerves.pretty soon its time to start pumping up. I'm a ball of nervous energy. i keep covered up the entire time im pumping up. 3 reasons for that. 1)i was freezing. 2)tradition/superstition.always have done it that way-didn't want to change it.3)i hate being sized up first glance.granted everyone backstage is always going to try to sneak peaks at the competition and compare....i stay covered to keep ppl guessing,to be underestimated...:D

anyways,then its time for the stage! after almost 2 yrs away,i was ready! after waiting around backstage and meeting some great gals (TRACY!!!!)it was time!i went out there for T walk first before the line up and quarter turns-after i got done with my walk,i felt great! like i had kicked the dust out of my heels,and was gearing up for some serious quarter turns! and yes,we had 10 gals in the short class-and we held poses. bleh! but Allison was AWESOME at yelling at me to keep things tight,and to flex this,that,bring out back,quads,etc....such a big help!!!!!!!!

so after prejudge it was off to get something to eat. well for allison. i had my cooler of turkey and sweet potatoes. we stopped by whole foods and OMG! LOOOOVVVVEEEEE that place! really wanted to stick my face in all the food,but i was a good gal......:D

after break was night show,and it took forever so it seemed. went out 3rd to last for Fit Moms category-placed 2nd in that bc there was a 3 way tie for 1rst. the test judges score got thrown out and i was 1 point under....ahh well! the fit moms was live judge so we held poses forever! after those awards it was time for night t-walks and top 5. i get 1rst and wait around for overall. and then got overall,was on cloud 9 the rest of the night!!!! i had my doubts though. i went into this show expecting NOTHING. i have never competed through INBF before so i didn't know what they were looking for. i used this show as a warm up to prepare for this weekend. SO glad i did! the unexpected win just gave me momentum enough to get me through the week! anyways,enough of a recap-will levae yall with some pics!!!!

warming up

....

the line up from side

the line up for fit moms

overall results.....

and heres just me.........

will post better pics once i get them,some i found of my quads,and i was like really? is that me?
but anyways,
for those still reading-thanks for following along!
OH and hubs placed 3rd overall out of 30 at his games,bringing home 4 1rst place medals!
happy friday yall! will post again soon!

last chance workout!!!! and other rambles......

so today is my last chance workout-will be headed to the gym in a couple hours,and I'm actually excited about it!
woke up this AM excited about FMC,glad that today is my last day to give it what ive got....after tonight's cardio,i will put myself on auto pilot and just let everything else take over....
 72 hours now.........
last night was tough-i was exhausted,long day with the kids and school activities and such,by 9:30pm i was exhausted,i told myself i could skip PM cardio,maybe one night wouldn't hurt.....
i drifted off to sleep on the couch and was woken up by a phone call.
my sponsor was calling to check in on things,and that phone call was just what i needed to give me that extra umph and drive to get on that TM!
i cranked out 5 miles before bed,and am hoping i can represent this weekend.

in all honesty,even though i WANT top 5,(thats the goal in mind!)
 all what really matters to ME at this show is being able to hold my own with the other Pros.
although i am a triple pro card holder now,i am still a rookie Pro,and just as i did at the amature level,i still have to work my way up the ranks...... as a Pro.

i am going in this weekend,anticipating everything,but expecting nothing other than to come in looking my best ever and bringing my best....
what else can i do?
I've done the work,
I've stayed on course with nutrition 99.8%
(although a few cheat bites have been had over the past 10 weeks,have to admit!)
i think I've done everything i can possibly do to prepare.
I've trained as hard as this falling apart body will allow!!!!
which,btw,my injury list is growing...
left wrist
right shoulder
right hip
right IT band
this prep i have had to modify modify modify
and im hoping it has been enough!
i may have to pushed pulled or dragged on stage,might need a cane or wheel chair before its all said and done with,
but one thing is for sure,
IM READY!

yesterday my workout partner and i did a mini photo shoot in the gym-here's a preview!

i was uber self conscious about doing this. i ALWAYS stay covered up in the gym-long pants,long sleeves,ballcap on......
and for me to walk out in the gym looking like this?????

i was nervous and uncomfortable-totally out of my comfort zone
but glad i did it,gives me pictures to show my kids when they are older...
and i can say i looked like that,8 months after giving birth......
:D
happy Wednesday yall!
heres to a fast week!

I'm off to hit the gym HARD!!!!!!

hell week has begun!

I'm burning my candle at both ends
only way to keep it burning is to out run the wind!!!
alrighty,its official-the true peak week has started-started yesterday and wow,i am feeling it today!
i had to drraaaag myself on the TM for FMC  this morning (and yesterday) and in the gym i had to FORCE myself through a leg workout and HIIT.
since i cant run sprints (IT band/hip flexors are SHOT) i did another triple threat-10 min on elliptical,stepper and bike 5 sprints on each pc of equipment.
kicked.
my.
biscuits.
i bonked.
i needed a quick carb.
my cheat bite was a handful of cheerios. BOO!
this week is going to be hard.
this week will be the LONGEST,
SHORTEST
week ever.
i am having to dig deep yall.
reeeeeeally deep.
although this past weekend has given me momentum to keep going hard and balls to the wall,i hate it i feel so tired,especially for my children. i have explained to the older ones that mommy needs their help this week,that i need good listeners and good helpers to help me make it through to this show.
i may or may not have bribed them with a trip to cracker barrel this weekend if they are on best behavior
:D!!!

anyways, just have 2 more days of am/pm cardio,2 more days in the gym,1 more HIIT
and then its up to nutrition ,water,and some good luck to get me to Saturday.
no one said it would be easy,its do or die,only the strong survive--and come hell or high water,i will be on that stage in my best condition ever,with my best physique ever...i may have to hobble or crawl to get there,but i will get there!!!!!

i also want to say a HUGE THANK YOU for all of those cheering me on! yall have no idea just what a kind word or encouraging comment can do!
please keep the positive vibes rolling this way!!!!

happy Monday!!!!
more pics from last weekend and a recap coming soon!

weekend in pictures

thank you everyone for all the encouraging words this week!i promise a full recap later,in the meantime,here are a few pics from the show.....and

 newest WNBF PRO and overall winner!!!!!!!

 my girls dont know wht to think!

 representing IRON BEAST CLOTHING!

 rice cake and PNB anyone? pre stage snack!

in had 2 bites of godiva chocolate and 2 reeces PNB eggs...i REALLY wanted to eat the whole bar but am saving that for THIS weekend!
wish me luck i can push through this last week! 6 more days until the PRO STAGE!!!!!!!
i am sooooooo excited and nervous already!
happy sunday yall!