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DR.
RICK'S SECOND BODYBUILDING CHANCE |
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I never
had much luck at winning in athletics. It all stemmed from my
little league coach when I was about 7 years old. Never could
throw a ball--still can't. But this bodybuilding stuff seems
to be a little different. I won't go on quite as long as my
last post, but a few highlights. The "Pioneer
Valley Natural" ANBC contest yesterday was not as well
attended as hoped for, but there were a couple of veterans with
a rich history of success, along with a few newcomers like myself.
There were a few newcomers who were like I had been two weeks
ago--a touch green around the gills, wondering the whole time
what was next. Women were better represented this time--six
competitors, but I could see that for some it was still early
in the season. As for my plans--diet and hydration status--I
was right on. My striations now had striations, and I had to
keep applying lip balm to keep my lips moist. The night
before this contest was different from the first one--I had
house guests from Ecuador--a doctor, his wife and daughter,
my hosts in Ecuador--and we were having a party for them--at
my house!! It was supposed to end at 8:00, which I knew it wouldn't.
When everyone finally left a little after 10:00, taking my guests
out on the town, at my request, I was able to start the "tanning"
process. All of this went a little quicker this time. I didn't
apply the solution to my face until morning, so my color was
less frightening, and I had fewer splotches. My guests were
back and up in the morning, and they were awed by my transition.
I had forewarned them, and they were rather fascinated by the
whole process. I have no doubt that I'll never hear the end
of it when I'm in Ecuador in two weeks. The trip
to Amherst, the registration, the pre-contest meeting were uneventful,
except that we were told that we could cross over into the Men's
Open, since there were fewer competitors than hoped for. This
resulted in four competitors in the Masters, and five competitors
in the Men's Open Tall class. I had determined that I hadn't
pumped up enough last time, so I tried to be a little more aggressive
with my pump up this time. It was warmer in the pump up room,
and my vascularity came out a lot better. It was very hot on
stage, but again, I think that except for sweating, that may
have been somewhat advantageous to keep the pump going. It seemed
like minutes between posing for the Master's and the Men's Tall.
It all went quickly, but I felt like I could pay attention better
this time. I was really glad I had done the previous contest,
just so I had a sense of what was going on. Though the crowd
was smaller, a familiar voice shouted to me at the beginning
of the first round of poses--"Alright, #12 (my number again!)--you
did your homework!! Great shape, man!"--It was the stranger
from Fall River, who had made me feel so much better two weeks
ago. The poses suddenly became that much easier... Jimmy,
my "coach", had driven out with Nancy, a friend from
Worcester who was judging, and the three of us went for some
lunch after pre-judging, leaving my strategically prepared chicken
and couscous in my car. This, I think, was perhaps a defining
moment in bodybuilding history. We went to a Malaysian restaurant,
Rasa Sayang, where I had the "Hot Pepper Chicken"
in all of its sodium and spice laden glory. I didn't have it
dissected or modified--I ate it the way it appeared on the plate.
I confess, though, that I only ate half of it, because I didn't
want to be bloated when it came time for my abdominal roll during
my routine. The remainder I had packed for lunch the next day.
I did, however, eat the complimentary tapioca dessert--my first
dessert in about eight weeks. In the
end, I was not hurt in any way by the decision to eat this lunch--In
fact perhaps it helped me. It seemed that after lunch, I looked
even harder than during pre-judging--and certainly more vascular.
Perhaps the extra sodium load in combination with the hot spices....Who
knows?!! The routine went off like clockwork--including the
brief segment toward the end, the timing of which had caused
me so much difficulty before. Again, the abdominal roll was
the signature move that got the crowd roaring. I managed to
hold the crab most-muscular long enough this time, and then
I headed back stage to watch the remaining competitors. After the
intermission, we were reassembled for awards. I was informed
again of having won "Best Poser" in the Masters, and
the remaining results were somewhat overwhelming. Because of
the cross-over, I found myself with more than a handful of trophies,
including an "Overall" trophy which can double as
an entertainment center, and more importantly, qualification
for the Nationals in either Masters' or Men's divisions. Thanks
to everyone on the list--especially those of you who have sent
me direct e-mail and those of you whom I have met in person--for
your incredible support. What a great way to meet new people! Rick Silverman,
M.D. "What a man puts foremost in his life will tell you not only where he is going but about how far he will go". --D. Ralph Millard, Jr., M.D. |
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