Ok and to the British finals. Its been a long road, dieting since 28th of February. Believe me it hasnt been easy!!! Headed down to Glasgow on the Saturday with the competition on the Sunday. Me and the girlfriend stayed at the Crowne Plaza which as right next door to the SECC. We arrived at about 2pm, I was scheduled for my polygraph until 7pm but then put me at the top of the list and was seen to stright away. I've never had a lie detector test before and was certainly something different. Your in a small hotel room with a polite and well spoken American man who explains to you what will happen and how the machine works. You sit down facing away from him and he asks you a set of questions. For example "have you ever lied to get someone into serious trouble" or the obvious "have you taken any banned substances". Its quite nerve racking and I certainly didnt feeling comfortable. Its easy to explain liek going through customs with nothing to declare but you feel as though you have a bomb strapped to you lol.
After that was over I headed to the hotel room and chilled out with the girlfriend. We headed into Glasgow and had a browse round the shops. Just trying to take my mind off the competition and RELAX, which was tuff. Headed back and prepared for the tanning event. Towels, Gloves and wine all at the ready. Slowly sipped my way through the wine and the girlfriend applied about 4 coats fo Jan Tana. As the night progressed I got darker and darker, also more and more drunk lol. Girlfriend found it hilarious me singing along to girls aloud on the TV lol.
Woke up the next morning feeling not too bad, a little hung over and dehydrated. Headed down to breakfast with my chicken and rice. We then headed back to the room and applied another couple of layers, packed our bags and headed to the SECC. Quite a tense and expectant atmosphere, talking to a few guys I've met from other comps and also a few who have been reading my blog came to say hello which was great. Glad someone reads it lol.
Said my goodbyes and made my way to the 'warm up area'. The BNBF is always very organised and there are weights and a good sized area to relaz and prepare yourself which is great!! I really dont like the waiting bit, with the show boating and the banter between competitors but its all in the spirtit of competition. The Juniors where 3rd to step on stage so the wait wasnt too long. I checked my tan got a glaze on and pumped up. The usual line up in number order and we were off and on stage.
I new it was going to be a tight encounter. The standard of the top5 was very high and would take everything I got to make sure I was at least there. We performed our quater turns and then I was in the first call out and second for the quaters. Moving on to the muscular rounds, I again was in the first call out, then the second, then the third. By this time I was truly exhausted!! Sweating buckets and cramping like you wouldnt believe!! I stepped back and one of the guys at the side of the stage prompted I drank water but I was ok. Just f***ed!! I went through another 2 rounds and stepped back again. The last call out was only with 3 and it was then I knew I hadnt made the cut of top 3 I was hoping for. Felt really gutted to be honest.
That call out would play on my mind for a while but soon got over it with a quick tet from James saying call outs are strange things and continued to hold condition and my mind. I didnt feel quite right at the pre judging. My condition just was a good as the Scottish. I think maybe I carbed up a little too much and over spilled making me a little flat. However by the evening I looked great. Alot harded and much tighter than afternoon. I thought it my go in my favour but unfortunately it didnt. I was awared with 4th plave. A slight showing of dejection and a shake of my head I accepted what I now think was a fair result. I have a great shiny trophy that will sit nicely next to my Scottish win.
Now I move on to my thank you's. First of all everyone who came to watch me down in Glasgow. Its one thing being up there and giving it your all but when its in front of family and close friends its an honour and a preveledge!! Another big thank you goes to the comeptitors and helpers a the BNBF. If it wasn't for them we wouldnt have a competition. I think the hotel housekeeping staff deserve a thank you for having to tidy my room after all the tanning. We limited our mess but that's exaclty what it was, 'limited' lol. One more thank you goes to James. Who I know works hard (phoning and texting me whilst at a wedding) to ensure that I present myself the best I can. Certainly hope we will be working together again to push for a pro card in a few years time.
And to the future. Well I'm now a personal trainer at a local gym here in Aberdeen and now striving to help other in achieving what they want. I'm unsure yet to whether I will compete next year, but one thing is for sure I will be back on stage whether it be in the lightweights or the middleweights. Will speak to James in the coming days to decide what the next stage will be. I will keep my journal going and let everyone know how the rebound goes. Once again thank you to everyone on muscletalk for there continue support!!
