destiny shmesstiny my 2007 nationals blog

nationals weekend destiny shmesstinyby: V Delcampo - November 21st, 2007
I arrived in Dallas Thursday afternoon poised and confident that this was my year to win the Nationals. I have been competing in the Nationals since 2002. In 2002, the Nationals were also held in Dallas and this was my first time back to compete since. I have to admit there was a part of me that some how believed it was my destiny to win this year and finish my amatuer career where it started. All I had to do was show up and collect my trophy. Now don't get the wrong idea I went prepared. I trained with full intensity and dieted without wavering once. The pictures will prove that! Unfortunately, this destiny crap was not going to be. I arrived knowing that I was a heavy favorite and recieved a lot of attention from the press. This only further boosted my confidence as I was sure it was my day to shine. At about this point a certain nickle back song started to ring in my head. I think the words are something like I'm feeling so good there's gotta be something wrong or something like that. So, I mentally prepared myself for disappointment just in case. I still never thought I had much to worry about at this point. But bodybuilding is a subjective sport and I'm counting on human opinions to determine my fate. At weigh-ins, I stood out as the one to beat. Weigh-ins are 24 hours before the contest and a lot can happen to your body at these shows in that short of time. Lucky for me my physique stayed in tact (tight and full) and I felt I looked my best ever by the time I hit the stage. Unfortunately, some of the other guys whom were less then impressive at weigh-ins filled out and looked incredible by the time they hit the stage. We were brought out on stage and I was feeling good my routine was flawless and as we were getting ready for call outs, I was pretty certain that I was still going to take this show. First call out, not me, awe. Second call out, not me, ok,ok keep smiling. Third call out, What!!!!! Not me? Ouch, what happened Fourth call out, again not me. That was the first time, in a long time, I was not in the first call out. I was on the outside looking in. Since I dont find myself here to often anymore, it was quite humbling. Well, I was the first call of the second group and handled my business there and ultimately ended up in 5th place. So, what the hell happened? I had a chance to talk to a few people who are friends with the judges and apparently, I let my left quad go few times on stage and didn't flex it causing it to appear soft. The top three looked very good but if I had not made this critical error, I would probably have gotten that call out and had a chance to show that I'm better then the other guys. It seems I make a new mistake at every show. I don't know if it's good that I don't make the same mistakes twice or bad that I keep coming up with new ones. Over all, I do consider the weekend a big success and I'll list a few reasons why. I know some of you have read this in the forum but here goes: 1. One of my personal goals was to beat the guy who placed second last year. His name is Jesse Sabutur. did that. 2. I was at my all time best, so, what else can I do. All I can do is be better from show to show. Anymore then that is out of my hands. I was at my best for sure thanks to the help and guidance of George Farah (love that guy). 3. I beat this year, last years, (and I believe there was another former) USA class champion. Now thats something to be proud of. 4. I got to spend some time with a bunch of great people, Jess and Peter Putnam are both really nice. I spent some time with George Farah of course, Bob from Optimum and many other during the weekend. I learned that there is nothing guaranteed and destiny is for fairy tales. I'm more motivated then ever now and I just can't wait to see the new and improved me next season.