Lift #8

Well it's been over a year since I've posted. I've promised a few people that I would blog about my "silent year" to catch them up. 2015 has proven to be a challenging year. 

After my 5th place finish at the 2014 North Americans in Pittsburgh, I returned to Phoenix to rest. Two successful competitions in 2014 informed my body it needed to rest - which is what I did. 2014 North Americans also was a huge show, I went on stage at around 5:45PM (pre-judging started at 8:00AM), I hadn't planned on competing in this show so I didn't have a room reserved at the host hotel. I had no real place to camp out and relax. A fellow competitor allowed me to chill in her room, which was nice but my anal retentive self rebelled and had a hard time staying in the moment. I was more conditioned for this show but I started holding water in my glutes. God only knows why - I've over analyzed it until the cows came home. In the grand scheme of things I was still very pleased with the improvements I made and my placing. 

Below are a few pictures. Again you will see 4 other amazing competitors deserving the top 5 spot. The woman on the far left is over 55 and received her IFBB pro card in that age group.  She left an impression on me to keep going. She has a very beautiful physique and well earned!

LIFT 8

Now for the bad news. Lift 8 is about 30 minutes from the base of Durango Mountain Ski Lodge. It was the last run of a 2 day ski-trip in January 2015.  I was feeling incredible, I felt like I was 25 as I accidentally sped down a black diamond run. When I approached the bottom of the hill I thought I was in complete control of my skis and speed. But due to the unseasonably warm temperatures, the closer I got to the bottom of each run there was ice and slush. Before I knew it I felt my right shoulder and head smash hard against the ground. I laid there stunned & thankful that I wear a helmet when I ski.  I moved my skis & legs to see if I had broke anything from the waist down- so far so good. The only immediate pain I felt was in my left thumb. Wow I thought I was good. I fell on the backside of the mountain so I immediately skied back to base to assess my fall. When I returned I began experiencing severe pain in my shoulder & back. I look back and am amazed I was even able to get back to base on my own.  As the evening progressed so did the pain. I was popping ibuprofen like it was candy. The ride back to Phoenix was very painful. In Phoenix I learned that I severely injured my shoulder and cracked some ribs. Life changed. The next 4-5 months was rest and rehab. Competing in New York at Team Universe in 2015 was out.  Competing is an incredible high but it also has lows as well. It was time to pull back, regroup and refocus back to what was truly important in my life. 

Today my shoulder, ribs and spine are not the same. I am recovered and back in the gym but everything has changed. This fall was a complete shock to my entire body - it was trauma. I ended up slipping into a mild depression as I had to come to terms with changing my lifestyle and doing what I know I should do instead of what I wanted to do.  

TRAINING & COMPETING UPDATE:

I am excited about the recently announced changes to my division (figure) in the NPC. Head judge Sandra Williamson stated they want the figure division to drop 15-20% muscle and have less muscle striation. It was this announcement that helped me decide to compete again.  This was good news for my physique since I have always been competing against size in my age group. At my age it is next to impossible to add muscle and simply put, I just like the look I can achieve with what I currently have. So for now, I am focusing on my weak areas. I would like to compete in 2016 and am planning for Team Universe, but that is a long way away.

I have regained most of my strength through a very slow and difficult journey. How I train has changed as well. I still have pain, weakness and tire easily so I train a lot smarter now. No more balls-to-the wall (I don't have any to throw against the wall anyways). My training is more mind to muscle. I try to go as heavy as I can but just different. Wiser, one might say. 

Glutes & Hamstrings 2 - 3 times per week

Shoulders & lats (some back) 2 times per week.

Heavy Legs 1 x per week

Heavy back 1 x per week

Arms 1 x per week

Yoga

Cardio 

FOOD

I try to keep my protein around 200g. I stick to egg whites (which are in SHORTAGE right now, grrr), chicken, lean red meats & salmon.  My carbs vary but I try keep them between 200-300g.  I continue to rotate rice, yams and potatoes.  I hate cooking so simple recipes I don't have to use my brain for... I use.

I had a fun photo shoot prior to my last competition. I'd like to thank Karianne Munsteadt at klmphoto.net for her creativity and expertise!

QUIET ROOM
Well I really wanted to write about my new quiet room I'm making in my house but I think I'll throw it out as a tease and save it until next time... I promise it won't be a year!! 

Until next time .... Thank you for following my journey and reading my blog 💜 Be blessed and be a blessing to others!