Well, it is all over with, my first competition is done. I am realy glad that it is over as I have worked super hard dieting. It was more than just a 16 week diet though. Last March (a little over a year ago) I had decided that I wanted to compete and that I just needed to add more size so I told everyone "next year is my year. the year I do it." I worked my ass off and got my bw up to 200lbs over the winter time. This was way more than a diet....it was a year long goal and I am really proud of myself that I stuck it out and completed that goal. I am also proud that, aside from some help on the final week contest preparation, I did everything myself. I set up my own diet(s), I set up my own training and I I even taught myself how to pose! So, this whole thing was never about a placing or anything like that. It was more about working hard for myself and completing my goal. it has often been said......"it is not the destenation that is important, it is the journey that brought you there."
Thoughs on bodybuilding contests......The experiece was amazing and I learned a ton about my body. What was really cool was seeing how quickly your body can change just with in the day, hour and even minute! The worst part about today was the backstage area. There are a lot of real a**holes that are really cocky and kind of leave a bad taste in your mouth about the whole competing thing. It shouldn't be about that. It should be about comraderie and everyone working for their personal best. The guy that won the class that I was in (novice short) probably pissed me off the most when he is saying things like "man, I am not even a novice. I have done all these shows this year already and won." or "did you pass your drug test?" to which I replied "ofcourse, I don't use anything." and he says "yeah, I am doing an NPC show in November so I am just trying a bunch of shit out at this show." That is so pathetic. I can't complain and say that it isn't fair becasue I have the option to be on all kinds of junk as well but....c'mon, it is supposed to be a natural show.....oh well.
Now to the placings........I wasn't nervous at all. After years of music school and performing being on stage for something like this was easy as pie. All my freinds that were there were like "wow, you didn't look nervous at all." There was no need to be either, I worked hard for this and did the best I could do. Well, I didn't win my class, which was obvious by the story above. There were some other bodybuilders just in the audience and a few INBF pro's that told me that they had me in second place. I could care less about the placing but I walked away with third place in my class. The funny thing about the show was that I weighted more than almost everyone there, even the tall guys! It was easy to see why once you looked at my legscompared to everyone elses. I had people coming up to me saying "Damn, your legs are huge! What the hell!" and "Man, you defenitly have the best set of wheels here.....your quads are big!" my freinds backstage with me are like "Yeah, you have never seen someone train legs like this guy" So that was really nice.
Will I ever do it again.....maybe...I could see myself doing another show next year. But, one thing is for sure.....the next time I compete no doubt about it I will be the biggest guy in that place! And I wont do it with drugs......I will do it with hard work and disipline.....the only way!
Well, thanks everyone for all the well wishes and great input and advice along the way. It was extremly appreciated.
-patrick
Thoughs on bodybuilding contests......The experiece was amazing and I learned a ton about my body. What was really cool was seeing how quickly your body can change just with in the day, hour and even minute! The worst part about today was the backstage area. There are a lot of real a**holes that are really cocky and kind of leave a bad taste in your mouth about the whole competing thing. It shouldn't be about that. It should be about comraderie and everyone working for their personal best. The guy that won the class that I was in (novice short) probably pissed me off the most when he is saying things like "man, I am not even a novice. I have done all these shows this year already and won." or "did you pass your drug test?" to which I replied "ofcourse, I don't use anything." and he says "yeah, I am doing an NPC show in November so I am just trying a bunch of shit out at this show." That is so pathetic. I can't complain and say that it isn't fair becasue I have the option to be on all kinds of junk as well but....c'mon, it is supposed to be a natural show.....oh well.
Now to the placings........I wasn't nervous at all. After years of music school and performing being on stage for something like this was easy as pie. All my freinds that were there were like "wow, you didn't look nervous at all." There was no need to be either, I worked hard for this and did the best I could do. Well, I didn't win my class, which was obvious by the story above. There were some other bodybuilders just in the audience and a few INBF pro's that told me that they had me in second place. I could care less about the placing but I walked away with third place in my class. The funny thing about the show was that I weighted more than almost everyone there, even the tall guys! It was easy to see why once you looked at my legscompared to everyone elses. I had people coming up to me saying "Damn, your legs are huge! What the hell!" and "Man, you defenitly have the best set of wheels here.....your quads are big!" my freinds backstage with me are like "Yeah, you have never seen someone train legs like this guy" So that was really nice.
Will I ever do it again.....maybe...I could see myself doing another show next year. But, one thing is for sure.....the next time I compete no doubt about it I will be the biggest guy in that place! And I wont do it with drugs......I will do it with hard work and disipline.....the only way!
Well, thanks everyone for all the well wishes and great input and advice along the way. It was extremly appreciated.
-patrick
Congratulations Funky 
I'm so proud of you for completing your goal and for taking 3rd. It's been a long road for you because I remember you saying that you wanted to do this for a while now. You've done an outstanding job doing this by yourself from the start. 
that's one of the biggest turn-offs for me...and also what gives the sport a bad name...too many hed strong egomaniacs
My mouth would have gotten me in trouble there had I heard that.
I want to see more bigger pics 
