CRAIG PRODUCTIONS LLC

Hi everyone, I'm back from a wonderful vacation. I took a little trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a week to relax and unwind. When I first arrived in Cabo, I was amazed at how beautiful the surroundings of the resort were. Flowers, palm trees, pools, and the gorgeous pacific ocean was what I saw from the lanai of my room. However, I really "lit up" when I saw the fitness center. Wow! Everything I needed was there, and it was all nice equipment and in good condition! I got a great chest workout and an even better back workout in. I did treadmill for cardio one day, and ran stairs for an hour the next. I went to Costco there, and stocked up on chicken, eggs, peppers, broccoli and rice.

Everything was perfect, but I realized I was so focused on eating perfect and working out, that I wasn't really having much fun. When I was at the pool, I was thinking about my next meal. When I was relaxing on the lanai, I was thinking about the next workout. I know that's what needs to be done when you are preparing for a competition...training and eating are always on your mind. However, as my trainer Dave has been saying, I have plenty of time. I need to be able to relax and enjoy life, this far out. So, I "heard" Dave's voice, and listened. I relaxed. The rest of the vacation I didn't work out. I didn't worry if I went out to eat. I ENJOYED my vacation.

I arrived home late Friday, so I wasn't able to attend the Emerald Cup figure competition. I was bummed that I wasn't able to see my friend Julie onstage. Julie got the tiara that she worked so hard for! Yay! I'm so happy for her. I wish I could've been there to see her face! For those of you who don't know Julie personally, she is an awesome lady, and I'm so fortunate to have become friends with her. If anyone deserves a tiara, it is HER! Congratulations Julie!

I did get to go to pre-judging and the evening competition. My friend Kathy competed in the Masters over 50 and took 3rd place! Very impressive, since this was only her second show! It was so fun to watch her shine onstage. She truly looked like she was having fun up there! I was able to help her get ready backstage before the show, and she was just so relaxed, she's a natural competitor! Congratulations, Kathy.

Those of you who know who Janet Guenther is, know that she always comes giving her very best. Janet shined onstage. She keeps getting better and better with each competition. Not only did Janet take first place in the Masters over 50, but also Masters Overall. She added yet another sword to her collection. Just a few short years ago, all Janet wanted was to just get one sword. Now, she has many swords decorating her office wall. Not bad for being almost 60 years old. Janet also entertained the crowd with another awesome country routine. Congratulations Janny!

What can I say about my trainer, Dave? We all know him, and expect a great show from him. He did not disappoint! Dave rocked the house with an awesome routine....high energy, and lots of fun. Dave came in 4th in a class of great looking guys over 50. Dave also competed with a beautiful lady, Marga, in a mixed pairs routine that was off the hook! If you didn't get to see it, you missed out! It was an awesome routine with a hilarious ending! Congratulations Dave and Marga!

I have to say a big THANK YOU to Brad and Elaine Craig for allowing me to go backstage at the Emerald Cup. What an honor! Since I blog for their website, I was given a VIP pass to go backstage anytime I wanted. I felt so important! Brad and Elaine are so accommodating to the competitors, and put on the best shows ever! Not only are the shows organized well, and lots of cool "stuff" is given out to the competitors, but Brad and Elaine are such nice people! Thank you Brad and Elaine, for your hard work and dedication to the sport of bodybuilding. Your shows are truly a class act!

So, since my vacation is over, it's time to crank it up! Time to start thinking seriously about the Ironman! Of course, I will still be listening to my trainer, Dave, but I'm feeling the energy to step things up a notch. Vacations are good, they rejuvenate you. The Emerald Cup is always inspiring. I'm amazed at all the beautiful physiques that graced the stage at the EC. As I sat in the audience watching the show, I began to get a little nervous. If all goes as planned, I will be stepping onstage in 24 weeks. I gotta admit, I got a little freaked out just thinking about it. So many eyes will be looking at me. Can I do this? What if I get stage fright? I know that when the time comes, and I'm getting ready to walk out onstage, I will be nervous...no doubt about it. Even long time competitors get a bit nervous going out there. What I do know, is that I want to do this more than anything. It's what I think about each and every day. Now that the Emerald Cup is over, and the competitors are enjoying some well deserved rest, I'm starting to get really excited for the Ironman. It was so fun to be backstage at the EC...to feel the energy of the competitors. Watching people getting tanned, putting on make-up, pumping up...that's exciting to me. Not many people get to go backstage at competitions, I feel very lucky to be able to experience it before I actually compete.

Congratulations to all the EC competitors. No matter how you placed in the line up, you are all winners! Now, onto the IRONMAN!

Think On It:

What would bodybuilding be like, if we weren't blessed by Brad and Elaine's hard work in putting together the Emerald Cup and the Ironman? They promote not only one, but two fantastic shows, the Pacific Northwest wouldn't have if it weren't for them. Take a moment from your busy day, to show your appreciation for Brad and Elaine!

Bren

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