Hi everyone!!
Thank you everyone for all the emails...The kind words and best wishes were all greatly appreciated....
First of all, I have so many people to thank before I get into sharing my experience at the Arnold Classic/Fitness International Weekend....
I would like to thank: my mom for watching Alex and Happy over the weekend, Dennis for being so supportive, being the best coach & hubby, and you have officially earned the title "The best bag bitch in the industry!", Karen Phillips of KHP DESIGNS for suiting me up with the amazing fitness routine outfits, Berns from Passion Fruit Designs for designing both my one and two piece suits....they were so elegant, Nancy Marr....the worlds best massage therapist, Peter & Elaine from Physical Development Nutrition Shoppe for providing me with product, Doug Schneider for all his on-going support, and putting me on the cover of Serious About Fitness...you're amazing, Garry Bartlett for being one of my biggest supporters and always promoting me in the Canadian Corner in Muscle Mag International, Island Heat Tanning Studios, Fulton Fitness, all of my friends, family, the fans and the members of my site.....without all of you, I would not be where I am today.....THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!
I would like to congratulate all of the competitors who competed at the Arnold Classic....it was an amazing opportunity to compete with all of you...true professionals through and through.....Debbie C, I am sooooooooo happy that you're back, Angie...i hope you enjoyed your smarties..lol...Adela, thanks for the offer and I will definitely help you out, Heidi....I hope you're feeling better...you poor thing..., and to all the other competitors who I shared the stage with....you are all so amazing and I feel blessed to be part of this amazing event.....OK....now onto my weekends thoughts and feelings.....
To tell you the truth, I was extremely disappointed with my placings... I felt that I came into this event with a full package. I was prepared well in advance and went into this event feeling pretty confident. My off season training went well and I feel that I made some significant improvements to my overall physique......My routines went well, but they scored very low and that was very disturbing to me as I take pride in being known for performing some impressive routines....After the show, I didn't have the opportunity to speak with the judges, but did have numerous conversations with well known individuals in the sport and they said that I should have placed higher and they were shocked in the final placings....My goal was to place in the top 10 and I am upset, confused and disappointed that I didn't meet my personal goal....But, these athletes are the best of best and it was a tough competition.....I am using this negative feeling and turning it into a positive and fueling my own fire...they won't know what hit them the next time I step out on stage,...I have some down time to rest, heal and put a kickass routine together...maybe this is what I needed...a good kick in the ass to get me hungrier!!! I love challenges....so I guess this will be a good one!!!
After the show, Dennis and I met up with the Canadian crew for a bite to eat....Doug Schneider, Natalie Waples, Winston Roberts, Stephanie Worsfold, and Garry Bartlett....oh and of course Kenny Kastle....I had shoots booked most of Saturday, so after our dinner we headed back to the room to get some shut eye....My morning shoot canceled, so Dennis and I decided to go over to the expo and check it out....I made some great contacts there and met so many wonderful fans....it was a blast. We could only stay for an hour or so...I had shoots booked all afternoon. I ended up shooting until 10pm....boy...was I exhausted!!! We were supposed to go to the after party.....but after I took my shower and got dressed, grabbed a bite to eat, Dennis and I were way too tired to go out.....we just hung out in the hotel room.....half way through the night, I started feeling sick...started getting a headache and started to cramp....My body was starting to shut down and letting me know it now needed some well deserved rest......We got up early, and ended up heading home.....Alex called early that morning and let us know that he was racing at 9am...he was feeling pretty good and was excited to compete in his rowing race. Dennis and I were home sick and we wish we were able to see Alex compete.....it took us 6.5 hours to get home....we picked up Alex and Happy from my moms and went straight home....Alex was kind of disappointed with his performance as well....but we were all happy to be together again.....ahhhhh!!!
I'm still not feeling 100% and have been just hanging out at home....I feel so lazy right now, but I know I need to rest and let my body heal....I am eager to get training again.....I am going back to the drawing board again and I finally have a few months where I'm not competing, so I can take some extra time and start working new skills and creating a new routine....I can't wait!!!
There are free pics from the Arnold Classic in the Photo section...check it out.
Take care.....hey girls...the 2007 season is now in the works....let's kick it into gear!
Mindi O
xo
4 comments:
my dear you were robbed at the classic! i checked out the photo's and placings online and i'd say this was your best yet! But now rest and recover then go kick some butt! Same goes for you too Alex!
You are number 1 with us darlin.
Pete & Elaine
Mindi- you looked FANTASTIC at the Arnolds, congratulations! One thing I noticed is that you were VERY hard and dry... whereas other women who placed higher were somewhat softer. Do you think this had anything to do with your placing (which is INSANE by the way- how did YOU end up 12th???). Do you think that what the judges were looking for was different this year? Regardless, you looked amazing and Im sorry that your results didnt reflect all the hard work you put in :(
i saw you outside the venue friday night. i wanted to say that you looked fantastic, your routine definately kicked... and that canada was proud of you!! maybe you would have appreciated hearing that... but maybe you would have preferred being left alone. so i said nothing and i let you pass.
rest up... i can't wait to see what your going to bring next!!!!
Thanks everyone for all of your comments....I really don't know what the judges were looking for this year....it's constantly changing...I find that I look my best full, and hard...I have such long appendages, I think that if I came in softer, it wouldn't look as good...also, I definitely wouldn't feel as good....I know what i need to do to improve and that's exactly what I am going to do...I am always up for a challenge, so bring it on!! The girls at the Arnold Classic were all invited for a reason...they are the best of the best...its' an honor to be there, and an honor to represent my country and perform for the fans...I was disappointed with the overall results, but there was nothing more I could have done...
I have competed in 16 pro shows in the last 2.5 yrs and My body really hasn't had time to rest and i haven't really had any down time to start working and perfecting new skills...I now have a few months where I can now put more focus on these things and I will be back with a kick ass routine, full of tough and unique skills....
Thanks again for everything...
Mindi O
xo
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