March 5, 2007

Hello everyone....

MONDAY morning.... closes the ARNOLD CLASSIC 2007 weekend for me! Wow..... is all I can say! This has to be one of the most exciting, exhausting, never ending, over stimulated weekend of my life. So many ups and downs ... from the weather to circumstances.

I will reiterate what happend to start the weekend off... a Thursday mid-afternoon phone call that my parents were involved in a serious car accident on their way drive from Michigan to Columbus to see me compete. It really scared me... their car was totalled, a few bumbs and bruises.. but thank the lord they were no seriously injured. Cars can be replaced... not my parents.

Friday came and went fast... and I mean FAST. We didn't have to leave for the venue until 11:30 so it was nice to not have to get up at 5 a.m. to start hair/ make-up. But.. when we got there...things rolled. It was clear who the winner would be as soon as we arrived in COLUMBUS.. Iris Kyle. She had an amazing body... enough said. I think she has the stage for many years to come and it is going to be difficult to beat her as she is rarely if ever "off" when she competes. I have never seen her conditioning less then her best.

In knowing she was the clear winner.... everything else was left to the judges. As suspected.. I was last call out and with the level of competitors at this competition, I didn't expect much better. These were the best female bodybuilders in the WORLD and it was evident on that stage. When you remove yourself from the outcome.. which I have done since turning professional, I had one of the best times on stage of my competitive career. The audience was alive and seemed to really embrace my posing routine and even at prejudging I felt the support of my friends and family. That felt so good. I was just there to do my thing... not worrying about where I was going to place. I recognize my place as a female bodybuilder competing in such a competitive arena.

I had a wonderful weekend. I did my best..... I never dieted between Christmas and January / February .. two of the coldest months in New York. It was a learning experience.

What is next... I am not sure. Do I do the Jan Tana in JUNE.. or do I just give my body a much needed rest.

I will make that decision in the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime.... I just want to enjoy.

Thanks for all your support... I have some of the most amazing friends and family.

Colette

March 3, 2007

Hello everyone....

Well... the ARNOLD CLASSIC is officially over. I made it.... I accomplished my dream. I was on the Ms. O and Ms. I stage... in basically a year. Look... I didn't place last...14th, but I removed myself from the outcome so I just went there to have a great time. And, I DID.

First, let me start by saying, all the girls were incredible backstage. When I talk to people about competition and what it is all about many people assume the girls are very cut troat and it just isn't the case. I think we all respect the difficulty in preparing for a compeition and when you get to this level and since the MONEY is not the reason we compete we have a different attitude toward each other and what we do. I had such a wonderful experience.

But... with every good Arnold Classic... there has to be drama. First, my parents decided to drive in from Detroit, MI ( a 5 hour drive ) and got into a severe car accident, NOT A GOOD SIGN for someone competing. I insisted they stay home and take care of themselves... but, they were determined to make it to Columbus. The were okay, but their car was totalled. Thank God.. I love my parents so much and if something were to happen to them, especially while comeing to see me compete.... I don't know what I would have done. They did finally make and saw me at Prejuding and the night show.

Then, my friend Malea Jensen calls me with news from IOWA, blizzard and all flights cancelled. She couldn't make it either.

I get to the Prejudging... backstage, ready to go.... they tell me my amazing Pink Metallic Suit would disqualify me from the competition... and I didn't have another suit that wasn't Metallic. So, I called everyone and anyone to get me a suit from back in the room... but, I didn't have enough time. So, I switched into the DARKER metallic... come to find out.. it wouldn't have mattered. Damn..I should have just stayed in my original suit.

My friend Elise... she didn't feel well and missed working the BOOTH for Muscular Developmemt and I couldn't communiate with the booth while worrying about myself and ended up getting her in trouble with the powers at be over there.... I hate it when people are misunderstood as a result of Lack of Communication.

During the meeting on Thursday night... I didn't bring a jacket and was wearing flip flops... come to realize we were being bused over to the Venue and Expo to get familiar.... however, it was raining. I just got Jan Tana SPRAY tan and well.............rain and tan.. not a good mix.

Nothing was the end of the world... everything seemed to work out in the end... but, the famous words, NEVER A DULL MOMENT seemed to be fitting for the weekend so far, and it isn't even over yet.

I will be at the BOOTH all day on Saturday and Sunday... .I am looking forward to it. Not doing too many photo shoots.. going to enjoy myself.

I am not sure what is next for me.... I was thinking about doing the Jan Tana... but, not sure it is realistic. I need to continue to make improvements... so, it could be to soon. It is June 23rd... leaving little time to make any REAL gains.

I might take the rest of the year off........but, this could all change.

I am going to start spending more time on my website and blogging. I have a lot of catching up to do in that arena.

I want to acknowledge all my incredibly supportive friends. Mimi and Amanda were my major support here.. they are two of my best friends. They were front row at both prejudging and the night show.. they had my back the whole time.

I could name off all the names of the people that my dear friend RICH ( kylequest@aol.com ) got for around 30 people... but if I miss someone I will feel horrible. You know who you are and I love you for being there for me.

Special shout to Elise Firestone.. www.elisefirestone.com .. she has been there for me on more than one occasion.

Cheri Owen - www.cheriowen.net -- has a crazy schedule and came all this way to see me compete.

Joel - Always there when you need him.

Don - thanks for the Virginia Blanched NUTS... everyone whe knows me.. knows I have a severe peanut addictions. I love all NUTS.

Life is great. I have no compliants in the world. Bodybuilding is just one aspect of my life and I am in a good place. Life is more balanced and once you remove yourself from the outcome... you seem to enjoy the experience so much more.

Peace my friends.. until next time....

Colette