The Night Show - Part II

We all headed back to the hotel during intermission to do nails and get bling for the night show. My new blue posing suit would make its debut!
At 3pm we left to drive back to the Victory Theater for the 4pm mandatory competitors group photograph and meeting. Once we were cleared by the promoters, it was back to the dressing room with Mary T to prep and then off to the pump up room to practice my choreographed routine a few more times before going on stage to perform it. I waited in the wings as Katie Holmes went first. I could see her performance and she was splendid! A 27 year veteran of the stage... competitive bodybuilder since the age of 20. To meet and chat with the likes of Pro's Vaughn Twigger and Victoria Thomas... individuals I had only read about in Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Magazine sure was a treat. I was given the opportunity to meet people with a similar deep passion for the sport and I always love that about competing. Amanda McDonald was a wonderful lady and a very special person.... I enjoyed getting to know her, learning about her life and what brought her to bodybuilding! As always, the experience was special and I learned so much about the business of competitive bodybuilding and about myself as a person. It is about being strong enough to make it to competition day and not let anything or anyone sway your mindset or determination. I placed last in my class but as I was told by a dear friend... "Trace, you were a winner no matter where you placed officially because you stood tall on that stage and gave it everything you had. The rest of us were vicariously living through you and in awe of your accomplishment!!" Dave and the kids blogged in support and sent pictures that brought tears of joy to my eyes.
With every show I do, it still amazes me how truly blessed I am with the support of all my friends and family who understand my crazy love of the sport of bodybuilding!
WNBF Mid-America... my first professional show. How good it feels to say that!! Laura ran out to get a bouquet of 'victory' flowers and my support team presented them to me as we exited the theater. Before we left... on last thing had to happen... we took the trademark group photo as we all flexed together. I cherish that photo from every competition as a wonderful memento.
As I poured over the 600+ photos that Dave and Mary T took, I instantly had my sights set on specific goals and I am focusing on them with each and every workout. I will train and drive to improve my overall physique with a definitive concentration on my back and ham/glute tie-in plus overall stage presence. I will step out onto that stage again in 2 years and hopefully improve my placement in the eyes of the judges. It is all about focusing on the goal... and as you know~ this ladylifter must always have a goal!!
Thanks to all who journeyed with me to Evansville.... You ROCK!!!