The 2010 Bodybuilding Season has begun!

The 2010 NPC season kicked off this past weekend with the World Gym Classic in San Diego, CA.  I couldn’t attend due to a conflicting work schedule, but some of good friends from Orange County participated … and one placed rather well.  Actually, saying that he did “well” is an understatement as he (Zeb Beatty) took overall honors in the Novice Division and placed 2nd in the Open Super-Heavyweight Class.  What’s even more impressive is the fact that the World Gym Classic was his first and only outing.  Now that he has qualified for the USA’s and Nationals, I have advised Zeb to take a break and put on some more quality muscle before hitting the national scene.  One of the biggest mistakes that an amateur can make is being too anxious to hit the big stage with too little to show.  There is only one reason to hit the national stage … and that is to earn an IFBB pro card.  Coming in with more ego than goods will only result in getting your feelings hurt … period.  I haven’t competed in almost 3 years now, so helping Zeb brought back many memories of my amateur days … when it was all about having fun and building friendships.

I am going to try to make the Max Muscle Classic (formerly the Max Muscle Naturals) in Culver City, CA next weekend.  Barring a drastic change in my work schedule, plan on seeing me out there.  The weather has been absolutely amazing, which has been great for my early morning runs through the OC.  I did catch a little bit of March Madness, but its been way too nice outside to waste.  Just a heads-up … if you are planning on competing in or are wondering what show to compete in that is not a national qualifier, look no further than the Muscle Beach Classic.  Beginning this year, the NPC has made ALL southern California contests National Qualifiers.  I don’t like their decision to do so as it diminishes much of the fun associated with amateur bodybuilding.  i don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel right competing in my first contest knowing that I will be competing against  guys who are well-seasoned bodybuilders.  Regardless if the Novice Division, its just not fair or right in my opinion.  There are many competitors who compete in the Novice Division that have been competing for years.  At any rate, the Muscle Beach Classic is more about the personal enjoyment of the sport and lifestyle than it is about winning.  I have judged Joe Wheatley’s events numerous times and, although competitive, it is still a ton of fun to be a part of.  Feel free to contact me about the Muscle Beach Classic … erykbui@sbcglobal.net.

Continual Reinvention = Longevity

I got my bandages off this past Tuesday and while I was excited, I was also very unsure. Unsure about what? Let’s just way I walked into the surgeons office over a month ago with little certainty about how much I could do and how hard I could train because of my bicep’s tendon situation … and I walked out of the same surgeons office this past Tuesday with the same questions … perhaps more. The biggest question of all centers around the fact that I still don’t know to what extent I can push my upper body without risking further damage. To many, it is a no brainer to stop training heavy and just rely on light to moderate weight stimulus … but I can’t do that. I have always lifted heavy. It’s like asking Michael Jordon to stop taking shots and just play defense.

So then, what did I do Tuesday night to celebrate my first training session in over a week? My stitches were still in so I did the only thing that I could do … RUN. I thought that it was going to be much more difficult than it ended up being. I struggled slightly at first, but all turned out well once I got into my groove. I ran a slightly slower pace (7.0-7.5 MPH) for 25 minutes, but still managed to finish 3 miles. It felt amazing! Heck, it felt so good that I’ve been able to maintain a 3.5 mile per day pace since then.

I wrote an article a few months back about the importance of frequent reinvention through the use of continual physical challenges to promote longevity. This article isn’t just about me … it should be about you as well. Don’t let life’s setbacks, no matter how frequent, stop you from living your life to the fullest. When you don’t grab life by the horns, life’s horns will invariably wind up throwing you around and impaling you. As I’ve aged, I’ve definitely become wiser and much more aware of how vital having and maintaining balance can be. For example, I have often been quoted as saying, “Before you can expect great things to happen, you must first be willing to do extraordinary things.” Ten years ago, I meant it in a purely physical way … train heavy to break down the body and induce a net positive gain. Today, I have a more expanded understanding of that quote … I apply that philosophy to everything that I do and think. I don’t blame life for its maladies. Instead, I focus on cause and effect. What am I doing today to influence what happens tomorrow? I don’t waste energy on things that I cannot control. I utilize my talents to foster the talents from within others. Not just for me and them, but for all. Just as it takes just one small impact in a pond to create a succession of ripples, so to does it require one small act of good will to influence thousands, perhaps millions to do the same.

This coming week, my challenge to all, including myself, is to share at least one random act of kindness to a stranger. Notice I said stranger? It is much easier to be nice to people who we love and know … much, much more challenging to share good will to those whom we don’t. I am not say to go out and hand someone some money. It can be as easy as a smile or a handshake. Do what it is that makes you feel good. Just in case that stranger does not react in a kind way, don’t give up. Go to the next one and try again. It is always easy to give up and walk away, and you can do that at any time. You will discover ultimately that it is not in the end result, so much as it is in your willingness to try, that will gain you the most satisfaction and reward. In closing … love often, smile often, and don’t ever forget to cherish the things that are closest to you. If life is not a journey towards something greater, then why do we eventually die and leave all material things behind? Just food for thought.

Somtimes, it’s just not in the cards …

This past week has been a rough one for me, so finding the motivation to write enthusiastically is a rather tall order.  I discovered a couple months ago that I had a partially torn left biceps tendon.  I had been planning on making a comeback of sorts to pro bodybuilding, but that flame was quickly extinguished last Monday when I went in to have surgery.  The surgeon that I acquired for the procedure was, in his words, “certain” that he could successfully do the job.  WRONG!  The friggin’ guy waits until he cuts me open before he decides that perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew.  I am pissed?  Damn right I am!  I have absolutely no faith in the medical system as I think most of those bastards could care less if they can actually do the job … I am convinced that they just want to get paid.  I have had many of my closest friends go under the knife and not many of them have had positive things to say.  The weird thing is that the ones that do have positive experiences are not from the US.  Perhaps the medical practitioners in the US are more hype than they are talented.  I just can’t believe that I went through all of this bullshit for nothing.  FUUUUUUUCK … I FUCKIN’ CAN’T STAND PEOPLE WHO TALK THE TALK AND DON’T WALK THE WALK!   That mutha-fucker should have been truthful and allowed me to go to someone else who may have been able to do the job.

I’ll try to get back on track next weekend.  Hope everyone else had a better week than I did.