Part 23 - The Journey's End

Post competition fun in the country. Hats off to you, can't wait to do it again!
(Nikki Boudreau, Chantal Borg, Kierston Fu, Anouk A, Meaghan Kesteron,
Rosanne Neddo, Sue Champagne, Debbie Laurin-Leclerc...and Mavi the baby driver)

It's been over two weeks since the Ontario Championships and I'm pretty much recuperated. I've said adios to my definition and plan to enjoy my summer. Training continues, of course, but it won't be as much of a priority over other activities. And I'll still follow a proper diet except in a social setting. Once fall approaches, it'll be back in the saddle for this old gal.

The results of the competition have been released and I've had some time to analyze them. In Part 18 of my blog, I predicted that the judges would concentrate on the top placings and not so much on the rest. For a while, I thought I'd been wrong about that because the prejudging wasn't as rushed as I thought it would be. To save time, they instead sped up the finals by only allowing the top 5 of the physique and bodybuilding divisions to do their individual routines, and cutting out the introductions of the figure and bikini competitors altogether. That was okay with me because those 5 inch heels just about killed me. Not so good, however, for some of the audience who may have been there to see one person in particular. Oh well, you can't please everyone!

It also makes a good doorstop!

However, now that I'm reviewing the results, my prediction seems to have been somewhat accurate after all. Either that or the judging was just plain inconsistent. I can only hope that the latter is not the case. Having judged these events myself in the past, I know what a difficult and thankless job it is. It's a real challenge to scrutinize each and every physique. Sometimes it's like comparing red delicious apples and granny smiths. Which type do you like more? Perhaps you want the red delicious one minute, then you want the granny smith the next. Or would you rather go for the banana? The only thing you can be sure of is that the pear is off the menu completely...unless you turn it upside down! (Thanks for that analogy Ken.)

So here's what I'm talking about. In Figure Open Class 5 (5'5 1/2" to 5'7"), Renate Fournier-Belanger placed 7th and Sharon Knox was 11th. The same ladies also competed in Figure Grandmasters (over 45, no height division) less than an hour later. There the placings were much different. Sharon placed 4th and Renate was 7th. How is it possible that Sharon jumped from 4 placements behind Renate to 3 ahead of her? It just goes with my theory that once the judges determine that you're not in the top 5, it gets all mixed up. It's not that Sharon suddenly changed her physique, but rather that in a different mixture of competitors she shone. When she was in the Open, she was out-muscled by competitors who were not in the Grandmasters. Once she slipped below 5th place in the eyes of the judges in the Open, it was anyone's guess where she might end up. Remember, the main concentration is in getting the top 5 correct.

Another example is in Figure Open Class 1 (under 5'1") where Teresa Heron placed 3rd and Laura Finocchi placed 4th. When they competed together in Figure Masters Short, they were reversed. Laura was 7th and Teresa was 8th.

And that's the way the cookie crumbles at the upper levels folks!

Some of the ladies got together for a rehearsal prior to their competitions.

This past weekend, June 16th, the other ladies from my gym participated in the Serious About Fitness (SAF) and Physique Canada competitions in Hull. At the same time, other friends of the sport participated in the Ottawa Classic which was part of Fit Day. Congratulations to every one of you!

Just a few members of Team FFA at their competition on June 16th.
(Gina, Rosanne, Anouk, Ken, Meaghan, Nikki, Chantal)

The following day, a member of Team FFA hosted a brunch in Cantley which Ed and I attended. What a blast we had! Even though I'm the lone ranger competing with the OPA, I'm glad to be included. Thank you Nikki and Rick for sharing your beautiful home with us. Thanks also for stuffing that extra cupcake down my throat to chase the peanut butter cream pie and cookies. And thanks to my favourite 73 year old marathoner who kept my wine glass full to wash down the meatballs and chips. Yes, the food was certainly amazing. Oh and let's not forget the wonderful hike to the waterfall and the tractor photo shoot. It will be a day I'll remember for a long time. Loved it! I stepped on the scale later weighing...well, let's just say more than I was before the gathering. The party included a nice mixture of people as partners and family also joined in to celebrate the ladies' accomplishments.

I'd like to make special mention of one person in particular who attended the brunch. Nikki's mom. I never did get her name, but being called mom seemed to work for her. She is one amazing woman. At the age of 70, she ran a full marathon...incredible! She's an example of why I vow to stay in shape for as long as my body will allow.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, that concludes my journey. If my blog has helped at all in your own fitness goals or your entertainment pleasure, please let me know. If so, I may consider starting a new blog for my next adventure or changing the name of this one and continuing on.

I'm still waiting for photos of the Ontario Championships from Liana which I'll share just as soon as I get them. The ones I posted earlier weren't of the best quality and were taken from a bad angle.

Until then, remember that 80 percent of success is showing up. Consider showing up at the gym or on the bike path. At the very least, do a couple of laps if you find yourself at a pool party this summer. Make it fun and you're more likely to stick with it!

Part 22 - Toronto Pro SuperShow

Photo shoot with Liana Louzon

The day after the Ontario Championships, I arrived refreshed for my photo shoot with Liana Louzon. I'd been scheduled between some bikini models and we had fun cheering each other on. The photos should be ready in a couple of weeks. Ed went off to find beverages and returned with coffee in beautiful mugs. I thought he'd sweet talked the staff into letting him take them out of the shop, but as it turned out he bought them. He's too cute...always aiming to please!

Before heading home, we decided to check out the exhibits and other activities at the Toronto Pro SuperShow. I'm glad we did because it was the most enjoyable part of the weekend. We went to see the finals of the MuscleMag and Oxygen fitness model search competitions which took place on the main stage at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Jessica, who I'd shared my drying tent with earlier, made the top 10 in the Oxygen search. She did well considering that there were over 100 entrants.

Main stage at the SuperShow

As we walked through the exhibits, we stopped and chatted with the movers and shakers of the industry. It was great to see some friends from the old days. Then we went shopping at Mode Risque where Ed bought me two fantastic outfits for the gym!

After the model search was over, I jumped up onto the stage and pretended that I was a contestant. The stage was all mine! They had a division for over 40 ladies in the Oxgyen search...hmm, perhaps this is my calling. The atmosphere at the SuperShow was such that you could let yourself go, flaunt a little (or a lot), meet the fitness stars and even rip your shirt off without anyone batting an eye.

My favourite person to meet that day was Nancy DiNino who is a fitness celebrity, media personality and SALSA DANCER. Her eyes lit up when I told her that I was a fan because she's a dancer rather than because she's in shape which is what she probably hears all the time. What a beautiful lady inside and out.

I ran into so many people I hadn't seen in years. Garry Bartlett, writer for MuscleMag and one of the nicest guys in the industry, was there and we reflected on the 1984 Canadian Championships which Larry and I hosted at the National Arts Centre. We laughed at the fact that he had no idea that I was a key player in promoting the event, then in his magazine coverage he thanked me for watching his camera during the post-party. The next time I saw Garry the following year, I grabbed him by the collar and said "what do you mean that I watched your camera, that's not all I did buddy." Ah, the memories we've shared together in the years that followed!

Then I decided to take a crash course from the World Arm Wrestling Champion, Devon Larratt. Of course, I challenged him to a match afterwards...and won! Yeah right!

It was a fun, fun, fun day!!! But it was time to head home.

Later in the week, the OPA posted the results of the Ontario Championships. My final placings were 2nd Open Figure Short and 8th Figure Grandmasters. I'm happy with my placings against the young ones, but it's not quite what I'd hoped for against the older gals. Everyone worked hard to be there and at least I ended up in the middle of the pack.

I'm still mulling over what my next move will be. All I know is that I'm not ready to quit yet..........

Discovering Chris White's abs

Hamming it up with Mike Pierron,
MC of the Ontario Championships

Re-enactment with Garry Bartlett

With Winston Roberts & unknown hottie

With the winner of the Oxygen
fitness model search

`

With Domenic Mauro of
Muscle Insider

Discussing salsa with Nancy DiNino

With MuscleMag's Tosca Reno

With Patrice Lee-Seyon, winner of Musclemag
model search and Overall Ontario Bikini

Modeling one of my new outfits
with the staff at Mode Risque

Ed's girl is high maintenance!

Part 21 - Ontario Championships, Finals

John Scott and Sue

When we returned to the John W.H. Bassett Theatre for the finals, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. The pressure was off. The judging was done. When the Figure Short division was called onto the stage, I had no idea how it would turn out. The only hope I had to bring home a trophy today was to make the top 3 in this small division. I felt that I had a shot at 1st or 2nd, but I've been wrong before.

The statistician handed the results to the Master of Ceremonies, Mike Pierron. He looked down at the sheet of paper and paused before making the announcements. In 4th place, Laura Finocchi....whew! In 3rd place, Teresa Heron....whew again! Left standing with Vicky, I was beaming. Could I possibly win? My heart was pounding. In 2nd place, Sue Champagne. I stepped forward and proudly took my position in the appropriate spot next to centre stage. The winner of Figure Short, Vicky Robitaille. We posed for the cameras and left the stage. Backstage, I held my trophy high and yelled "happy, happy, happy". Never was anyone so pleased with a 2nd. At least I was going home as a runner up. My goal had been achieved. This old gal still has it in her and stood tall with the young ones.

Sue and Vicky

Part 20 - Ontario Championships, Prejudging

Vicky Robitaille & Sue

My weekend at the Toronto Pro SuperShow and Ontario Championships was absolutely amazing. The journey has ended but the stories still need to be told.

We arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel at around 2:30 pm on Friday. My spray tan with Jan Tana was interested. Only at a big event like this will you find men and women stripping down to nothing together to get sprayed. I shared my drying tent with a young lady named Jessica from Chicago who was at the SuperShow for the Oxygen Model Search. I promised her I'd be there on Sunday to support her at the competition.

Sue & Lynda Jager

After the spray tan, we headed over to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the competitor briefing which was to commence at 5:30 pm. As I stood outside the room, I noticed that some of the other ladies were wearing badges, so I asked what that was all about. I was told that registration was over and that I better get over there immediately. The information package indicated that registration and weigh-in was between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, but it was unclear that the figure competitors were supposed to be there. Normally, weigh-in is only for the bodybuilders to determine their weight division. Figure and bikini competitors are measured by height. This usually happens after the briefing.

When I went over to the registration room, they were shutting it down and I was told that I was out of the contest. In other words, go home and come back next year! WHAT??? My jaw dropped in disbelief. Then I realized that I had only two choices...put my head between my knees or beg them to let me in. Of course, I chose the latter. Anyone in my position would have done the same. As I stood there arguing with the officials that the info package was unclear, about 25 other women with the same dilemma gathered around to support me. One balled her eyes out, tears streaming down her face, she was hysterical. Everyone was yelling at each other, none of us willing to go down without a fight. Then suddenly, in the midst of the commotion, the door flew open and a pleasant woman greeted us and inviting us in to register. Whew! Inside the room, the staff made us feel welcome. A big thank you goes out to Rosa Valente for calming things down!

Getting my hair redone beside
the Jan Tana spray tan tents.

When we finally arrived at the competitor briefing, I froze when I saw that the official who I'd been arguing with was the head judge. Oops! Note to self...do not pick a fight with the head judge the day before a competition. Sorry Rudy, I promise it won't happen again. Where's that drink I've been looking forward to?

The morning of the show, we were up early for my second coat of spray tan at 5:30 am. My beautiful hairdo which Rosanne had so carefully done for me before leaving Ottawa had to come down during the night. It had gotten messed up because I had to tie it up for my first coat then couldn't sleep on the bobby pins. Melody, who works for Jan Tana, restyled it for me on the fly and I was good to go again.

Backstage waiting to go on

We had been told to be at the theatre by 8:30 am. There was no way I was going to be late, so we headed over to the John W.H. Bassett Theatre for 8 am. With 280 competitors backstage, it was crowded and full of adrenaline. Bodybuilders, physique athletes, fitness competitors, figure ladies and bikini models all shared common space. Even though the women had their own dressing rooms, the men were walking through them and nobody seemed to mind. Jan Tana had an area for glazing and touch-ups which people lined up for. There was a pump-up room somewhere but I didn't look for it since I'd brought my own dumbbells. You could see everyone checking out the competition and introducing each other. It was surreal to meet all the athletes who you'd been googling over the past year. There were coaches backstage and an incredible crew to control the chaos.

My classes weren't scheduled to get on-stage until about 3 hours into the prejudging. Vicky Robitaille and I made claim to a couple of chair near side stage and hung out most of the day. I'd just met Vicky and we were scheduled to compete together in Figure Short. The other person I passed time with was Lynda Jager who I'd competed with in Hamilton at my first competition in 2011. It's just an indication of how friendly it can be at these events. Ed had a backstage pass so he split his time between watching the prejudging and making sure I was okay.

Figure Short was the first of the figure classes to enter the stage. There were only 4 of us but we were all strong contenders. We were almost like clones of each other. We'd been warned at the briefing that scores would be adjusted if anyone was found to change their outfit between prejudging and finals, which I assumed also meant between divisions for anyone entered in more than one. I opted to put my 5 inch heels on for the whole event. I'd practiced walking in them but had hoped to only wear them for Grandmasters. Though it has a bit of a platform, it's still a tall heel to put on a size 5 foot.

There was no need for comparisons or call-outs for Figure Short, though they had us do our quarter turns twice and left us standing in one position for a long time. My stomach was grumbling and my knees started to shake. I hadn't eaten much because my nerves were shot. All I could think about was that I needed to get something in me before passing out and thereby sabotaging my chances in Grandmasters.

Ed was there for me and got me some oatmeal and chocolate bars. Meanwhile, Vicky was cramping and her nerve endings were tingling. The on-site masseur suggested that she was too dehydrated. While I got her some water, Ed ran to a store for salty potato chips. He had hoped for Miss Vickie's but had to settle for Lays!

By the time Grandmasters was up, I felt a whole lot better. There were 13 fabulous ladies, all over 45, lined up and we filed onto the stage together. The head judge split us into 2 groups for our quarter turns, then called out the comparisons. I did not make the first call-out. My heart sunk but I continued to smile. I knew right then that I wasn't going to place. I was in the second call-out which at least gave me hope that I wouldn't land near the bottom. We can't always tell what the judges are up to, but 9 times out of 10 the top placers are in the first call-out. Having said that, John Scott placed 5th in his division without making a single call-out in a huge line-up. There was still hope for me.

Ed left me alone for the better part of an hour after the prejudging to give me time to absorb everything that had just happened. It was hard work and I was exhausted and hungry. We went for a bite to eat then to the hotel room to relax before the finals.

It was going to be a long wait for the results..........

Part 19 - Ready, Set, Let's Go

It's the day before the show and it's almost time to head to Toronto for the Ontario Championships. I've done everything possible to prepare. It's been 7 months since my qualifying event and I definitely feel I've made improvements. As small as they might be, it's progress nonetheless. What else can a post-menopausal woman expect?

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week were carb deplete days which I struggled through. My energy was way down. Fortunately, they were light workout days. On Thursday, I started carb loading and today I continue with it. Today is also dehydration day. We'll find out tomorrow if the plan worked.

All the cosmetic preparations are in place and my bags are packed. Right now, I'm on my way for a 7:00 am appointment with Rosanne Neddo to get my hair set. Yep, gonna have to sleep with it up. Ed is picking me up at 9:00 am. My spray tan appointment is schedule for 4:45 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The competitors' meeting is at 5:30 pm. Once we line up to register, we'll find out who stands where on stage and how many are in each class. The Ontario Championships is on Saturday. It's part of the Toronto Pro SuperShow where the best of the best will be gathering.

I'm like an overdue pregnant woman. I've been ready for a couple of weeks and I just want it to be over. Really looking forward to having a drink tomorrow evening.

Thank you to everyone who has followed my blog and sent me notes of encouragement. You have no idea how it has kept me going. I've had days when I just wanted to quit and others when I thought I could go to the top. The support has been an important factor in my preparation. Thank you, thank you!

I'll let you all know how it went when I return. Win or lose, this is going to be loads of fun..........