2nd Place 2007 NATIONALS

WELL, it's all over for 2007. Started with a win at the Metropolitan's in NY on April 14th followed by a win two weeks later in SC for the JR USA's, after only a month and a half off of dieting I aimed for the Nationals where I placed 2nd to Jose Raymond this past weekend. Got to give it to Jose for his frame of 5'3 he had a solid package with good conditioning, congratulations Jose you looked great. As for myself, I was very happy with my placings, I mean at the time, who couldn't be upset one placing away from turning Pro at Nationals with my good friend Evan, that would have been a dream, but this year wasn't meant to be. I came in with my best package I have ever had, 3 lbs lighter than I was my last two shows, my cuts and separations were deeper, without losing any size or shape. Got to give it to BIG DAVE, he brings me in better and better every show, can't wait to see what 2008 brings for the Nationals in Atlanta GA.
As for the Nationals, I had a great time, exhausted but a great time. I stayed in the Fairmont with Evan and we just relaxed the entire time, never saw out the window, for three days just slept, ate, tanned, and competed. That's what we were there for. You go to these shows to do your best, and you see all these other guys running around doing stupid shit when all they should be doing is resting, makes you think what it is they want, a career or attention. I arrived on Wednesday night, got in late to the hotel ate and passed out. Thursday was a day of tanning, talking with Dave and 7:30pm wiegh-in's where I weighed in at 173.2. The next morning after water depleting I was 170 shredded to the bones after only 2 meals of carbs. Friday was prejudging at 5:30pm, where I was in bed until almost 7pm before I got on stage just in time to get oiled up and a quick pump before getting on stage. After quarter turns they brought us all out, and I got called 1st call out after Jose. After we went through out mandatories they brought the top 3 back on stage for one more comparison round where we all went at it head to head once more. I knew Jose had me in size, but in my opinion I had in on shape and conditioning. After I got off stage it was on to route for my boy Evan whom they didn't even compare anyone too, I mean how could you, he stood head to toe, bigger, drier, and harder, than any other guy in his class, hands down the overall winner. After that it was all about the Hooters hamburgers and fries. Saturday came, and went, tanned and ate during the day, the night show ran slow as shit in the beginning bringing the fitness in between the men's night show, but before I knew it my routine was 90 there and gone. I was standing on stage with 4 other men not knowing what the out come was going to be. I heard 5th, 4th, and 3rd place called but didn't hear 173 which was my number, then......I heard "and runner up" number..173, and I knew it just wasn't my time yet. Hit a few poses for the camera, rubbed the tan off and went back to the seats with my friends and family to give Evan my support, which he didn't need due to his physique spoke for itself. After Evan won the overall with a superb routine, I got very sick, there was a bug going around I found out the next morning I was up all night with an upset stomach, and puked my brains out around 6am. Not a fun way to start an off season. Finally, made it home after a lot of muffins and toast all day because my stomach couldn't handle anything, and feeling better and heavier today. Now taking a week off before starting my off season for the 2008 Nationals!!
Want to give a big shout out to those that came to support me, my Mom and Brother..aka ANTsistant (he was Evan and mine slave for 3 days), also Leah, her Aunt Mary, Kelly, Uncle Tom, Mike, and Will, for showing up at the airport and letting us use the microwave and driving us around the weekend, don't know what I would have done without you guys there. PJ, for just being PJ, kid is just out of control, all you can do is laugh, he's my boy and shout out to his Mom for the Godiva's..already GONE!!! Gold's Gym NH crew, you're all great, and Kenny my posing coach, thanks for everything bro. Also huge THANKS to Evan, this was a weekend I will never forget and couldn't have done it without you bro, can't wait to see you kick some ass at the NY Pro in 08. Also Special thanks to DAVE PALUMBO AND SPECIES NUTRITION, words not needed physique has spoken.......Stay big
Guy