| Focus June 1, 2003
The Best Advice I Ever Got
The best competition advice anyone ever gave me had nothing
to do with physical training. It had nothing to do with diet, exercise, routine or
costume. It had to do with another component of competition -- mental preparation.
When I first started competing in 2000, IFBB Pro Kary
Odiatu said the first step to prepping for any show was to make a "Top Five"
list. That is -- five reasons, other than winning, why you want to compete.
Although leading up to a show the Top Five might not seem
as important to your overall placing as a good diet and hard training, its importance
becomes much more evident when all is said and done.
The actual day of the 2003 CBBF Canadian Fitness and Figure
Championships went by so fast that I really didn’t have a chance to absorb the
experience until it was all over. But looking back, I understand why the Top Five is so
important. The fact is, I didn’t win (in the sense of a first-place finish), only a
handful of competitors did, but I managed to make the show a great experience in other
ways.
First and foremost, I met some people face-to-face that
I’ve been emailing for the past six months. I also met up with old friends from
previous shows, and one of the highlights of the day (which I’m sure most competitors
can relate to), was all the sharing that went on backstage. Of course I’m referring
to the sharing of chocolate, candy and other treats!
I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit
that a Top Three finish would have been the icing on the cake for me; there’s nothing
wrong with wanting do well at any competition. I think it’s important because it
keeps us focused and motivates us to "torture" ourselves every year leading up
to a show. But, what I’m trying to get at is that winning is not the
be-all-and-end-all of this sport. If it were, we’d all be in big trouble!
Most of us are back home again and have returned to our
normal (if you can call them normal) lives. No matter how you placed, I hope there is at
least one thing that you were able to bring home with you. If not, not to worry! After
all, the competitive season is still young, and with the CBBF National World Qualifier
just around the corner, your next chance to reaffirm your Top Five is only a month away!
...Denyse Johnson
denyse@seriousaboutfitness.com
Congrats to all the competitors, the CBBF officials and
judges, and event organizers, for putting on a great show. And from all the competitors, a
special thanks to our families and friends for your support (and tolerance). To those who
have helped us get through these past few months, please feel free to refer to this
"thank-you" at any time leading up to the next show! |
