Winning The Heart Of Alaska

Ending On A High Note

Winning a sword, in the Northern most latitude bodybuilding competition I know of, surrounded with my boys and friends....it was the perfect storybook ending!

There were many moments during the past five weeks when I wondered why I was suffering through for one more show. But after experiencing this weekend with my boys, I expanded. I became better having endured the trial and finished the goal. The prep was no fun. Not like the fun I experienced coming into the Alaska State Championships. That was a thrill! This was a grind!

But I made a bunch of new friends. I saw generosity in action from a promoter who loves the competitors and believes in spoiling us. To quote Sheila Bratten, promoter of the NPC Heart Of Alaska, "I want everyone to walk out feeling special no matter where they place and have so much fun that they want to do another show." Mission accomplished! The competitors were very happy. Certainly Team Glauser was happy. We cleaned house and brought home four trophies and the overall sword! Yes, I am happy with my placing. As happy as a bodybuilder can be. My boys felt like rock stars, with the custom trophies Sheila made for them, and their swag bags that more closely resembled Christmas stockings. They couldn't have felt more special!

I enjoyed doing this this smaller show. It was personal, friendly, and different than any other I've been a part of. There was one dude, Tony who was in the overall with me and my pal Jake, whom I believe could be a pro bodybuilder. That's fun to stand with pals and dudes like that!

Bodybuilding is alive and well in Alaska. There is a real positive energy reformation taking place. I am thrilled to be part of it and plan to continue to contribute to it and help further the sport. This type of competition is very positive for me, and I think it should be for all who compete. I intend to promote positive energy, intense enthusiasm and help inspire other athletes to strive for higher levels of excellence.

Unfinished Business

I really hate being in limbo.  A holding pattern is not where I thrive.  Climbing, growin, reaching, pursuing is where I get my kicks.  Achievement itself is rarely as satisfying as the struggle.  However, after the struggle, I expect to achieve the reward, and sometimes I get it.  But not always.  This bodybuilding season I had the ultimate competition.  It was so incredibly motivating knowing there were guys that could beat me, and had every intention to do so.  I made absolutely sure I came in my best.  I made dang sure they didn't out-work me.  As a result, I found energy and drive like never before.  And brought my physique in at my absolute best to date.  

All that work, for one week of competition.  Alaska State and The Emerald Cup.  Then it was over....poof!  I was left wanting.  I decided to do one more show, five weeks away.

Only 48 hrs left.  I had two goals this year,  win my weight class, and win an overall.  I am making a run 8 hours North to Fairbanks this weekend with family on board to compete one more time.  Will Smith says, "You don't have to get ready if you stay ready."  That has been on my mind the past five weeks as I've stayed down in this caloric hole, hovering around 5% bodyfat.  I have grown accustomed to my skinny wrinkled face and the striated superhero look.  But I can't begin to explain how bad I want to feast on an excess of calories and GROW!  I actually enjoy peeling all the fat off and seeing just how lean I can get with the goal of being the most shredded dude on stage.  But that is temporary.  As quickly as I get there, I want to go to work to build again.

I made a wise crack a while back,  I said, "Pain is necessary, suffering is optional."  That is just an opinion.  Suffering is relative to the person enduring it to decide whether it's pain or suffering.  Staying down in the caloric hole too long is most definitely suffering from my experience.  My brain, my attitude, and without question, my previously handsome face has suffered!  (That is where opinion and fact collide). 

I am happy when I'm hammering away at a goal, whether it's putting on muscle, climbing a mountain, chasing a four legged creature to battle for it's life, or on a power dive of body fat reduction to be stage ready.  I need to be full throttle!

I've been flying around in a circle.  I can't pig out and grow, my strength is so low I can't lift heavy weight in the gym. I can't really lose any more weight.  I am really looking forward to the suffering being over.  Hopefully it will have been worth it.   Right now I am sick as a dog with a weak immune system and feeling like hammered poo!

I'm drying out.  I've finished my course, kept the faith. 

Let's get this over with! 

Energy

Mike and I just finished up an A.M. back workout. We prefer to train later in the day with more calories in the system. The mental fortitude and strength is significantly stronger in the afternoon. But we sucked it up and got through it with low energy.

After the workout, I don't know if my pre-workout kicked in, or if it was the process of forcing the body to do work that woke it up. Probably a combination of both. But I finally came alive. Lately I've been more conscious about managing my energy levels. Like everyone else, I could use a little more of it!

Nothing makes me more tired than lounging or sitting without purpose. When I'm tired, that's what I want to do, and if I succumb to it, it's hard to get up and get moving again. Posture makes a difference too! A few days after hammering legs, I have the gait of a seventy something. I naturally want to walk slower and take it easy. When I notice myself dragging my sorry butt across a parking lot, I've been forcing myself to run. A 15 second jog to my truck when I don't feel like it fires my mojo back up. Activity and movement is the quickest way to boost energy and get out of that lethargic funk.

Without proper sleep and food, our bodies simply don't work right. No caffeine boost can replace sleep and nutrition for very long. Good sleep, enough calories, regulating blood sugar and physical activity are all critical to sustaining energy. Besides, once our caffeine tolerance increases, we don't get a goose from it, so we take more, then our quality of sleep suffers. At least mine does.

I am determined to get my body's energy figured out so it can perform at optimal levels. So far, I know what most people know. Sleep, food, and physical activity are all key components of good energy. But our mind has power over matter. Sometimes we just have to decide to get moving and yell "WAKE UP!!!"

Then get up and make some sh## happen!

I'm getting tired again...gotta move!

Goals

A friend sent a message yesterday, "You've been quiet. Everything OK?" Yes, I'm quite alright. I haven't been writing though. One nigh,t a few weeks ago I didn't feel like writing. I checked to see if I had fulfilled my commitment to blog for 30 consecutive days. I had gone well past it, and let myself off the hook. I learned a few things about commitment. When I make it a "have to", then I do it whether I feel like it or not. If I don't have to do something, I can usually let myself off the hook too easily! Any excuse will do if you need one right?

Truthfully, I love writing when it's from the heart. It is fulfilling to create something. There was so much focused energy and single mindedness leading up to the competition. It was as though I hit the pause button on life for a month. Shifting energy elsewhere is needed. But I intend to keep writing.

In my experience, when wrapping up a big goal, there are a few days of relief, and celebration. It's satisfying to glory in it for a few days, but that quickly fades and a new goal is needed. I'm a goal person. The good thing is that while I have fitness and bodybuilding goals, Those will come about over time by living the lifestyle. If I train hard, sleep well and eat like a Samoan man, I will stack meat on my frame and fill in those lagging body parts. Consistency and time are the key components.

That's the name of the game with this stuff. It's simple. I didn't say easy, but it's not complex. There are 5 main components to getting the body you want. 1. Eating, 2. Training, 3. Sleeping, 4. Consistency & 5. Time. There is one more, it's so big it can't even be on the list. Commitment. Nothing great can be brought about without it.

Fitness goals aren't at the top of my mind at the moment. The habits and lifestyle won't change much. But I am craving new and bigger goals. I am really digging the process of re-creation, and refining my BHAG's (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals) The problem is, I have a lot of them. But I do love the refining process!

What's your goal? Maybe I need one more.

I'm Going To Start "Juicing"

Some people might think I'm taking the easy way out.  But I don't care!  This is a personal decision, and I've thought a lot about it.   I've never looked down on juicers. I just never saw the point for me.

After going to Emerald Cup I see how far I still have to go to be competitive in bodybuilding.  I want to add more muscle.   My goal is to put on 10 lbs of lean mass before I compete again.  That is no easy task.  I am going to need every advantage I can get. 

Packing on lean muscle means training harder and eating a LOT more food.  As much as I eat, my jaw is going to wear out.  Doubling and tripling my calories means chowing on a lot more groceries!  After gnawing through multiple moose steaks in a day, and a few lbs of rice, I'm tired of chewing.  The last thing I want to do is chomp down a big salad every few hours.   So I intend to blend and drink my green veggies.  This is what has led me to be a "Juicer".

No, I won't be doing a steroid cycle...if that's what you were thinking.  That conflicts with my other goals.  I like the healthy aspects of bodybuilding.  I'll take the slow boat.  10 lbs of muscle may be optimistic, but I am an optimist.

I understand the need for veggies, but they annoy me and take time.  I can cook a bunch of meat and a pot of rice and portion my meals in containers in no time.  I can put down a prepped meal of meat and rice in the gullet in minutes and be back to whatever I want to be doing.  Eating a salad adds minutes, and I just want to get it over with.  Yesterday I threw a handful of spinach, sugar snap peas and some V8 juice in the ninja and pureed it.  My steak and rice was in the system in three minutes, my green sludge went down in 10 seconds.  I had vitality flowing through my veins.  I guess I didn't really juice, I blended.  That way I'm getting all the fiber and good stuff!  And I am a little embarrassed to admit it...but I kind of liked it.  I hope this doesn't make me a sissy!

So, I am reaching out to juicers everywhere. I welcome your advice.  Two days ago I was a virgin juicer.  Today I have bowels full of spinach.  My cocktail won't win any taste awards.   If you have a tip for a rookie juicer, I'm all ears!    Thanks for reading to the end! 

Cheers!

Sugar is Crack!

One week ago, I woke up delirious, in a dirty hotel room, lying in a puddle of my own spray tan.   A few hours before I was an exhausted brown man wandering the streets of Seattle looking to score a cheeseburger after the Emerald Cup.   I had to get moving toward the airport, but I was STARVING!  I went Yogi bearin' through my backpack for any vittles I could devour.  It didn't matter, anything would do.  Leftover cheesecake...perfect breakfast!  I found a few oats and some whey protein.  Then like manna from heaven I discover a double portion of Reece's peanut butter eggs.  I toss them in the microwave with my oatmeal and discovered what my breakfast had been missing all along....SUGAR in the form of chocolate and peanut butter!

That was the kickoff to a week of sugar! I paced myself on my cache of girl scout cookies, by only eating half of a box at a time.  Then the other half. 

After a week of eating to failure, I remember just how addicting sugar is.  Four months I ate almost no sugar, and I didn't miss it or crave it much at all.  But once it hits my mouth, I find it so very tasty, yet so unsatisfying that I just want more and more.  

I come from a long line of sugar addicts.  I inherited it from my Mom and passed it to two of my kids that are total sugar fiends.

So I am going to shut down the sugar flow this week.  I enjoyed it, and a week was enough to know that sugar is a powerful drug in my system.   I'll stick to dark chocolate.  I've found that a little bit satisfies and I don't want to binge on it.    Cold turkey this week.  I've got to tame the sugar beast before I swell up like a wood tick! 

No Regrets

The thing I like most about bodybuilding is that you never know how you will grow through the process of intense preparation, work, and sacrifice.  But I never come out the other side of it the same.  Each time I learn new things about my self,  what I'm capable of, and a new direction for life.  There are changes beyond the physical that reshape me.  I think that's the same with any goal or undertaking that requires our best. 

I'll never forget the first lesson Mike taught me about bodybuilding.  "The only thing you can't control is who else shows up."  So true!  But I can control how I show up.   One more thing we can't control.  The judges...they are the ones that decide on the better physique.  Since it is a subjective sport, sometimes they will like the leanest guy, sometimes the bigger guy, sometimes the guy with the better symmetry.  I've yet to be able to guess the judging throughout the classes at a show.  The judges control the prize.  Therefore it is a mistake to get too hung up on placings at a competition.  And  since the promoters here give a  $4 medal for prizes,  it better be about the journey of personal growth and development, otherwise it's wouldn't be worth it.  

And for me it is.  It's been said so many times that it's cliche, but it's the absolute truth that "it's about the journey, not the destination."  Author Stephen Pressfield says "We are not entitled to the fruits of our labor.  We are only entitled to our labor."  I understand that better now.  The process and progress of work, and the inherent benefits of our work are the only things we can lay claim on.

Looking back on this year's journey, I can smile with pride.  I wouldn't have done anything different.  I worked harder than ever and brought my best physique in both size and conditioning.  I am pleased with my posing.  I am pleased with my progress.  I can say with all honesty, I have no regrets.  I did it in a healthy way.  And I felt strong right down until the end. 

The upside of not having reached my goal of winning the overall, is that I am still hungry.  So my journey continues.    And while I can't predict how I will grow through the process of my next goal, I know I won't emerge the same.  I'm happy to have a goal... I'm happiest when I'm in pursuit.

This is bodybuilding, not bodybuilt.  Let the building continue...

It's a Little Weird...

For most people, it's not sporting the posing trunks on stage that keeps them from entering a bodybuilding competition.   Although that'll keep plenty away.  It's the food, or lack of that comes with competition dieting that makes most normal folk vow to never cross that line.

There are a lot of misconceptions.  I'm not hear to clear them up.  I am here to confirm the fact that some of the food is tough to swallow.   Although, to a starving man, anything tastes good.  As you will see in this video.  But I only eat like this, two days before a competition.  Not every bodybuilder eats this, but plenty do. 

Lack of sleep, bodyfat, chemical spray tan leeching into the brain and an overdose on chicken can make a guy a little goofy.  Or maybe I'm just always this way.  My wife is quick to remind me of my weirdness. 

This is the shrunken down, dried out 172 lb Chad, last year at Empire.

It's Never Over

Last Sunday, Bodhi and Cameron were still floating from their first taste of the bodybuilding stage the night before. After church we went to Mortensen's for an Easter feast. Mike and I were sitting on the deck talking about the show and how it turned out. Bodhi comes out and lets out a big sad sigh and says, "It's over!" As if to say, What am I going to do with my life now? He was lamenting me taking a break from competition. Which meant he would too.

We told him "It's never over." It became an awesome fireside chat about life. Mike shared wisdom and we soaked it up. Mike said, "Bodhi, this is a lifestyle. Whether we competing or not, we still build and take care of our bodies." Eight months of the year we train the body, then four months we train the mind for competition and get really focused on chiseling down. Some people think we start lifting and dieting when we get serious about prepping for a show. But in reality, we do it every day. Bodybuilding is the healthy habits we fit into everyday life. An hour at the gym, prepping meals etc. Bodybuilding is eating with purpose, training hard and sleeping well. All of the efforts accumulate in our physique to make it ready for competition.

I could see that it helped the lad to talk about it. By the end he was smiling. We taught him about how this lifestyle it helps our spirit lead of our body. We talked about how God wants us to pursue excellence and use the gifts he has given us. That He is pleased when we take action and do hard things for growth.
This is a great hobby for me, a healthy lifestyle for my body and mind. Competition aside, I don't intend to give up the lifestyle.

A Different View

Competition morning. Things are moving fast. As soon as I get my tan on, the expeditor shouts out, “Middleweights!” My first thought, “Almond Joy!” It’s a tradition. I rifle through my bag for pre-workout. No shaker! I eat a dry scoop of high octane powder, and a mouthful of water. I swish and gulp without a shiver. Within seconds, George and I are pumping up.

The middleweight line up is stacked with little jacked dudes. Under 5’6” is ideal. I’m five inches over ideal. 13 thick muscle machines, built like R2D2 and me, C3P0. But looking at the conditioning of the other competitors, I still think it’s possible to squeak into the top five. I'm hoping my symmetry, conditioning, and good posing will make up for my lankiness.

We step onto the freight elevator, like gladiators descending to the arena. (Minus the swords, plus the elevator.) The Niacin Jeff gave me to make my veins pop kicks in and I feel my face burning up. I should have only taken one! I ask George if I’m red. He laughs and says “Holy spit! Beet red!” My skin is on freaking fire and I feel like picking a fight!

We step to the line under blinding lights. I’ve never been more fired up to pose. We quarter turn and the judges shuffle us to the side of the stage without a chance to perform our mandatories. “Chopped liver please move to the side of the stage” is how I heard it.

George steps to the line in front of me. They turn and he faces me. I remind him to hit his glutes. They tighten up. He turns to the side, “suck it in”. He sucks tighter. I make it my job to coach him on the stage. I’m so caught up watching him, I forget to squeeze my legs, until I notice a judge eyeballing me, and I tighten up. When it’s my turn on the line, George coaches me back. I’m sure the judges and other competitors think we're wacky. But the tag team moment will be a fun memory.

I barely get a second look from the judges. The short, thick dudes with cannon ball shoulders are the victors. George is much tighter than one week ago at the state show. His posing is stellar and it earns him a 4th place trophy. A great accomplishment for the Emerald Cup. Jeff also wins a few hard earned trophies from his divisions.

After pre-judging I’m sitting on the steps outside, licking my wounds. A spectator I met earlier, James, approaches me and with intensity and says, “I just wanted you to know that YOU LOOKED F***ING AWESOME UP THERE!!!” He says it with more sincerity than I’ve ever received in a compliment. He and his wife are convinced I deserve first place. They were impressed with my symmetry and proportions above anyone on stage. Imagine that. I wish James and his wife were on the judging panel!

His compliments made my day. Not because he said I looked good, but he said I inspired him. He has never done a show, but is planning on doing one this year. And seeing me up there polished and peeled made him want to work hard to bring his body in polished for the show. He had an inspiring "I can do this" moment.

I'm appreciative that James took the time to seek me out and tell me how he saw it from where they sat. He is an average Joe like me. Isn’t it awesome that the guy who placed near the bottom, unknowingly has the power to inspire someone in the crowd! Don't get me wrong, I want a trophy, but to inspire others has power and meaning far beyond a trophy. We exchanged info and James is probably reading this blog about himself. Thanks James! And good luck at the Seven Feathers Classic!

In a nutshell, I find it highly worthwhile to pursue goals, connect with people, and inspire others to grow. Every one of us will inspire people just by GOING FOR IT! Whatever that thing may be. We never know who is watching, and how we might be the example that inspires them. The more people I connect with in this amateur bodybuilding world, the more I am inspired! Because it is average Joes and Janes, men and women who purposefully put themselves on a path to excellence! Nobody gets there by accident.

Savor the Moment

I know I live a charmed life.  I can't expain why, I have been blessed beyond my worthiness.  It doesn't make sense.  But I am grateful.  I know there are people who are much better people than I but for some reason, experience life like Job in the Bible.  I don't know how else to look at it, but be grateful for my opportunities and blessings. 

In a couple of hours I get to step on stage at the Emerald Cup just for my own kicks and giggles. How lucky I am  to have a healthy, strong body that can do this.  My heart is humble this morning.  It always is when I'm dehydrated and physically spent.  Like fasting, the body yields to the will of the spirit, and there are deeper feelings in the heart.  Life lessons area easier to learn, and gratitude comes much easier.  If there are no distractions, (like this quiet hour before the madness), thoughts of God and the good things in life come easier. 

When I was a Scoutmaster, our plan was to wear the boys out in the mountains during the day  to prepare them for the campfire at night.  Once they were worn out physically, we could have a testimony meeting around the campfire.  That's where spiritual experiences happen. 

My thoughts will soon change toward the stage I came here to stand on.  But for the next half hour, I think I'll just savor more of this quiet time while my mind is clear to appreciate my blessings, and the things that really matter.

I feel inclined  to spread the word to savor the moments in life that bring joy.  We never know when it's going to be our time to move on to the next life.  The only thing I'm going to want to do at that moment is grab a hold of my wife and kids and squeeze them tight,  and let them know how much I love them!  I want to tell them what a privilege it has been to be part of their life.   And remind them that we are a forever family.   Thank goodness there is more time to do just that!

I look forward to getting home tomorrow and making Bodhi a big birthday cake and together eating it all.  Then we're going out back to shoot his new compound bow that's hiding in my garage. 

Life is good!  Savor the quiet time!

Emerald Cup

I'm back at the hotel room, just hangin' out with my spray tan to keep me company.  I would write something clever if my brain worked.  I'm sucked down somewhere at or below 4% bodyfat, and I'm about out of the juice that makes brain power.  On the morrow I do battle with 15 middleweights that look like light heavyweights.  These dudes are jacked!  But nobody really knows until it's all peeled and presented on stage tomorrow.  It should be fun!

Quick blog post tonight.  I need a couple hours of rest between feedings.  Like a baby.

The Emerald Cup in Seattle.  It is the show of shows! There are a handful of Alaskans here to cheer each other on.  

Here's a short vid of the overall last year to give you an idea of what it's all about.   Notice the guy in the emerald green trunks.  He's the same dude that won me in Spokane last year at the Empire Classic.  Turns out he won his class at the Iron Man as well.

This will give you an idea of the kind of bodybuilders at Ecup.  Pretty awesome. 

Alaska State Championships Pt. 3 - Overall Battle

I heard someone say “It would be awesome to be the only one in your weight class and automatically win first place.”  I said, “No it wouldn’t, it would be stupid!”  There is no victory without a battle.  If you beat the fat kid, how much can you appreciate the win?  I’m not afraid of losing.  I fear regret of not acting.

When George Hartley told me in January, that he and two other former Alaska state champs were competing for state title, he encouraged me to get in on it.  My plan was not to compete and take the year to build muscle and work on widening my back and filling out my lanky arms and legs.  I know where I need to grow. But I saw this as great opportunity to train and diet with more intensity.   I liked the idea of trying to beat the big dogs.
The whole point of bodybuilding for me is to have a reason to push harder and reach new levels of growth.  What better motivator could I ask for?  Training to compete with champion bodybuilders I knew it required my A game.  So I kicked my A in gear!

EVENING SHOW
When the night show begins, I'm buzzing with positive energy.  I'mstrong and my muscles are becoming more full and round.  My boys posing routines have me so jacked up, I'm not worrying one bit about the competition.  I'm having a blast.  Winning my weight class, intensifies my energy.   I’m stoked for the opportunity to compete in the overall.  A new experience. 

Coming into this show, there were a few studs that might be tough to beat.   After prejudging it narrowed.  Jeff Bentz is a Superheavyweight but came in light at 218.  He was shredded and he won his class but he didn't "peak".  I won Josh in the middles.   George was now the one to beat.  He's been an NPC judge for a long time.  He can spot those who will give him trouble.  He says to me, "It's going to come down to you and me"  And I agree.   I want the title as much as I’ve wanted anything.  But I'm not even worried about it.   I intend to make it happen.  I know that if there is any way for me to win this show, I will.  I will give it my absolute best in the overall just as I had done up to this point.

Backstage, George was in bad shape.  He had previously walked off stage in prejudging.  He was exhausted and dangerously dehydrated.  Just before we step out, George says to me, "I want this for you bro."  It seemed to me that he was preparing himself to be a good sport.  I think he thought it might go my way. This was a good moment.  I was savoring it.  I felt healthy and I was having fun.  George just wanted it to be over.

We step out to the blinding lights and squeeze our legs with everything we have.  The “front relaxed pose” is anything but relaxed!  I can't see the crowd or judges.  I am barely aware of my opponents.  I'm laser focused on squeezing every piece of meat, bone and sinew that I own!  "Quarter turn to the right.  Quarter turn to the right,"  and so it goes.   Without looking, I know they are posing and squeezing as hard as me.  I squeeze until I shake.  A spectator screams, "YOU GOTTA WANT IT!!!  Nobody wants it more than me!  Not even possible!

The pose down felt like battle.  I've never been so intensely focused.  I have no idea what poses my opponents are hitting.  I’m locked into my own.  George comes over and bumps into me.  I forget we said we would make it fun for the crowd and mess around.  I am only focused on hitting the pose on my mind

We are called back to the line and the MC calls for the crowd to cheer for their favorite.  It’s clear that George is the hometown favorite.  I don’t know if he brought half the crowd with him or what, but his support was the strongest.  

Announcing the 2014 Overall Champ, I know it's me.  There is almost no doubt in my mind.  I came in better than George.  Then rang the words throughout the stadium, "Your 2014 Alaska State Champion...............Geeeeeooorrgeee Hartley!"  

I'm stunned.  I shouldn't have been so surprised, but my mental strategy of absolute confidence, paired with absolute commitment to diet and training, left no room for doubt.  I had undoubtedly done EVERYTHING I knew how to do.... But it didn't happen like I envisioned it.  Now standing in front of 1000 people, it's suddenly George's moment.  I had to re-adjust.  George turns to me and gives me a big slimy brown hug.  I slime him back.  His hug is part celebration and part consolation.  He knew how bad I wanted it.  He had been here many times and felt the same thing.  But he did it!  And he was relieved.

Losing that overall was tough for me.  It took a couple days to turn around the disappointment.   Just trying to be happy for George didn't do it.  The wind was out of my sails.   I had no plans to stay in that state of mind.   I wasn’t just being a sore loser.   The only way I can explain it is,  when you have such passion and intensity to achieve a goal, you think about it all the time.  You put forth everything to bring it about, and when it doesn’t happen, that passionate goal doesn’t just fade away, it’s still there stronger than ever.  You still want it just the same, but now you can’t have it.   I guess it just confuses the emotions for a bit.

By Monday, I hadn’t even looked at photos from the show.  Sunday was Easter and I tried my bestto focus on the resurrected Savior.  I finally looked at photos with an open mind and chose to look at it in a constructive manner.  How can I be better next time?  I saw all the ways I could improve my physique and which poses didn’t work in my favor.   I also looked at the muscle development George had going for him that brought him the win.  His physique is more complete.  I saw it, and I began to turn the corner.

I met George at the gym to train together.  It was great to talk about it with each other. There is a lot of emotion and passion when a goal requires so much work.   He told me it was bittersweet for him too.  He said, “It’s easy when you beat someone who needs an attitude adjustment, but when it’s your brother, and he’s a warrior, it’s a little different.”   Yes it is.  And part of my internal struggle was that I would never want to take that away from him.  He is my brother.   He is a true champ and a great bodybuilder.  The entire experience made me love him.  It’s kind of like George was my friend and competitor before, but I see him differently now. Hard to explain, but I don’t need to.  He gets it.

My personal lessons are too rich for my feeble attempt to write about it.  My vision and resolve have expanded because of the experience.  The disappointment is gone and I cherish it all for the growth.  Best of all,  my journey continues.  If I had won, I might not take my physique to the level that it will now go.  I'm going to work to complete this project of mine like a sculptor to match the vision I have for my body.  I'll get there in incremental changes.  But it will come to be.  And in a couple years, I will get my shot again. 

George and I are down here at the Emerald Cup.  He introduced me as “The guy who just about kicked his ass.” 

George I love you bro.  Thanks for being the ultimate competitor.  I know you said I was your motivation to push harder. Without a doubt, you did the same for me.

I’m sure glad I didn’t make it easy for you!  You earned a glorious victory.  Congratulations with all my heart brother!  It's a pleasure doing battle with you.  Lets do it again soon. 

 

Posedown Battle - Chad Glauser, Jeff "THE BEAST" Bentz, George Hartley One of my  favorite bodybuilding photos. 

Great ab shots!

Alaska State Championships Pt. 2 - Stealing the Show

Walking with my boys back stage, I could tell, they were in awe, being somewhere where that seemed like it should be "off limits."  We pass the bikini girls and turn back just in time to see them giggle to each other as they turn their eyes away.  I love witnessing the way my boys see the world.  Their experiences are my experiences when I am mentally awake enough to be in the moment with them.  I wish I could always be. 

We round the corner to the smelly bodybuilders chamber.   In walk two bright eyed boys!  I introduce them.  They aren't the least bit intimidated and make conversation.  They belong here. Most of the other competitors enjoyed them being back there.  They lightened things up.  They were excited about the treats I had backstage, girl scout cookies and chocolate.  Cameron wanted to get right to the treats.  Bodhi was ready to become The Hulk!  Good thing too, because no sooner than I smear paint and deck him in breakaway clothes, they call the boys to the stage.  Beforehand I'm told I get to present their medals, so I take them to one side of the stage and walk around to the other to meet them. 

Bodhi walks out as a pale faced normal boy.  He's hiding his Hulk mask and turns around and crouches, waiting for the music to start.  Head down, he dons the mask.  As soon as I get to the other side, the Pacific Rim theme rockin' theme tune comes on and Bodhi is Hulking out!  He seemed nervous before, but once on stage, It was gone!

Bodhi begins tearing clothes, posing, and working the crowd far more than I imagined!  I'm going nuts!   I wish I had this kids stage presence!  He owns the stage.  He finishes and the applause and cheers are enormous.  Best routine of the night!  Flawless!

They announce Cameron and push him out on stage before his music starts.  He timidly walks out and is a little stunned by the crowd.  He forgets his poses, but I told him, "If you forget, just hit any pose...and SMILE!!!"  The only one he remembers is the "Archer".  So he keeps hitting it.  Then it comes to him.  He remembers his routine and comes alive.  Then comes the smile!  that's all he needed to do to win the crowd over. 

Standing ovation!

I present the medals, and we get a moment that Mark Mason captured forever!  A photo and video treasure!  If ever I'm in a bad mood, I'm watching Hulk and Superman again and again! 

Geez I love these boys!  Being a Dad absolutely ROCKS!!!  I think it's good that our kids see us doing cool stuff.  But it's even more important to do cool stuff with our kids.   They won't want to be my sidekicks forever.  Someday I hope to be theirs.  I know when I'm sitting in my porch swing when I'm 120, I'm going to be thinking about these days and watching videos of them on YouTube.  Because THESE ARE THE GLORY DAYS!!! 

i was talking to the boys about "doing cool stuff", and how awesome it is.  I wrote a few notes and stuck them around the house that say "DCS" to remind us that we want to live life doing cool stuff and not let ourselves get stale.  They were feeling so good having done something so scary.  It was a huge boost of confidence,  and gave them a stronger zest for life!  I can only hope experiences like this help them have courage to step out of the comfort zone and DO COOL STUFF! 

By the way, they are still wearing their medals. 

ENJOY THE SHOW....It's a guaranteed smile!

I'm bummed out!

I spent a few hours telling the story of the bodybuilding competition from backstage and onstage as a competitor.  I was proud of it.  When I hit save, I got an error message that said, "Something went wrong.  Reload Page?"  When I clicked yes, all I had was a title that read "State Cham"

I don't have the heart to rewrite it.  I suppose that's what tomorrows are for. 

Sunnova!

I guess this is my sorry excuse of a blog post today!

Alaska State Championships - Pt. 1 - Winning First

It took some time for my spinning thoughts and emotions to settle after an event like this.  Wrapping words around it isn't an easy task.  So I'll break it into parts. 

This prep was two years in the making.  Last year I came up short.  When the finish line was close, I let up.  I thought I was as lean as I could get and I coasted in.  Only to have my first place medal snagged by a competitor who had less muscle, but was shredded to the bone.  It taught me a few lessons.  1. I can get leaner.  2. When the finish line is in sight, pour it on!   Push until there's nothing left.  

2013 Alaska State Championships -2nd Place

There were a few days I lamented over the judging.  Finding friends and family to tell you it should have been you, or you were robbed is easy.  One person told me, "It's because he is half your age, that's why he can get leaner."  Another told me, "he's black, black dudes get way more shredded than white dudes."  Bull pucky, I thought.  I don't even want to believe that.  I can do anything he did.

At the Alaska State show, they announced an upcoming show in Spokane on my birthday, three weeks out.  I wanted another shot.  After the show we enjoyed the ceremonial donut feast.  I ate everything I wanted for two days, then booked a ticket to Spokane for the Empire Classic.  My training shot to a new level.  I wasn't afraid of getting too skinny, losing muscle, or looking "stringy".  That's what kept me from getting as lean as I needed to be.  After all, they gave it to the skinny dude at this show.  Cardio intensity was off the chart and downright obnoxious.  Nary a gram of fat passed my lips.  Carbs were as low as I could go and still train effectively.  I showed up in Spokane peeled of all remaining fat.  I had dropped below 4%.

The show was big.  There were 16 competitors in my class.   I was the leanest.  When they called out the top five for comparisons, I executed the mandatory poses better than ever.  I felt like a champ.  I knew there was only one other guy that could give me trouble.  He had short stocky limbs.  He was the opposite body type.  Kristen caught it on video.  When pre-judging was over, we returned to the room to watch it.

I was pleased with the way I looked, seeing I had him beat on conditioning.  But when we turned to the side, his short thick legs made my long legs look skinny by comparison.  I knew it could go either way.  It went the other way.

2013 Empire Classic - Spokane WA -  2nd Place

Coming up short is an opportunity to reach deeper and find more internal fortitude to become better than before.  When we act on it, we grow.  In Spokane I found out what it means to be shredded.  I count it as a huge success.  The year between then and now, I had one goal, to come in as lean as Spokane, and better developed. 

I can honestly say that I gave my very best to this contest prep.  I worked harder, dieted smarter and believed in myself more than ever.  I was inspired and driven to be the best version of myself.  I knew there would be at least three former Mr. Alaska's competing.  That was the perfect motivation to become my best.  I wanted in. 

If I was to have a chance in the overall, I had to win my class.  That was my first goal.   I hadn't done it before.  I had a 3rd and two 2nd placings under my belt.  I had to do better.  Being the smallest guy in the light heavyweight class isn't the best advantage.  I aimed for middleweight.

Friday 5:45 pm.  I step on the scale, 178 lbs.   That's 1.75 lbs over middleweight.  I had to leave in 20 to make it to the tail end of weigh in.  I run a bath.  Painfully hot!  I sit for 15 minutes, barely towel off, throw on my posing trunks, pants, a down coat and a fur hat.  I pour sweat for 45 minutes racing down the highway. 

I'm last in line.  I couldn't pee another drop.  When my turn comes, I strip to the skivies and step on the scale.  176.2.  On the dot for middleweight!  Good thing.  My hair was cut and I already shaved my body, there was nothing else to get rid of.  And I made it. 

It was a good move.  The class was strong, but it was the right place for me to be.  In my class was a former Mr. Alaska.  He was my biggest competition.  He peels his shirt backstage.  I see what I'm up against.  He's leaner than I expected.  But I remain confident, and continued to feed my belief every time he walks by.  By the time I pump up, my confidence is full.  I step out with every intention of winning this class. 

I start out on the end.  We run through our quarter turns and they move me inside.  After mandatories, they move me to the middle.  Now I'm happy.  They call for the posedown. I step right to the edge of the stage and show the judges my best poses.   When we return to take our places, Josh stands in front of me, in the middle.  I tap him on the shoulder and point to my left.  "You're over there."  A solid chuckle from the crowd.  He moves over, and it's over.  We exit the stage.  It went just how I wanted it to go. 

When we return for the night show, my physique continues to improve and my muscles become more full and round.  After performing our 90 second free pose routines we are called out to stand on the line for the top five awards.  It's down to the last two.  I'm excited.  My anticipation is boiling to win this class.  But I had been here before, and twice before, Kim Farrison called my name too soon.  Not this time.  I'm the last. "Your 2014 Middleweight Champion....Chad Glauser!"   Music to my ears! The cheers feel great, and I throw up a front double bicep pose.

Walking back stage, I'm all teeth.  I had finally done it.  My first of two goals was complete.   I compliment my competitor and express my elation in finally winning a class.  He says, "I've never been beat."  I reply, "I know all about how second place feels."  

Around my neck hangs my reward, a cheap $4 medal for all my pain and deprivation.  But it's colored gold.  I'm as happy as I can be.

Ultimate Victory

One week ago, standing at the beginning of "peak week" I knew it would be a difficult week to focus on anything but the competition.  But I didn't want to let my personal pursuit let me forget what happened  1,981 years ago. I wanted to remember the events of that week, the supper, the garden, and Golgotha.  As I began the week, I wondered how He felt as He began the last and most important week of His mortal life. 

I prayed for a little help, that I wouldn't let the week be completely self centered.  I knew that would be natural way for it to play out.  But I wanted to be able to tune in, and appreciate the sacrifice of the Son of God.  And without warning, Friday morning, I'm standing in my garage, about to pound a few more rice cakes, and prepare a posing routine.  I paused, noticing the silence.   My thoughts turned to the Garden of Gethsemane and what was done for me there, I imagined Christ carrying and stumbling with the cross he bore for me.   My heart swelled with gratitude and tears streaked my spray tanned face.  It was very personal, but an assurance that He was willing to do anything to save me, and all of us. 

So today I just don't feel like blogging about personal victories and last night's competition.  The glory goes to Him who paid the ultimate price and became victor over sin and death.  Because of Him, every soul will rise again with a perfect resurrected body, glorious and eternal.  

I am glad that life can be fun.  I appreciate that we have an opportunity to pursue goals, enjoy life and make it interesting.  I really love that part of life.  But I have to laugh at how fleeting the perfect body is.  We train and diet and tweak it to "peak" for the stage, but it only looks just like that for a few hours on the day of show.  Furthermore, go through a lot of bodies in life.  They are all temporary.  The kid's body, the teenage bod, middle age, and the old wrinkled one we all end up with.  There has to be more to life than that right? 

There is.   

The Moment of Truth

Pre judging is over, the class winners are decided.  I can't say whether I'm one or not.  I have the urge to talk all about the morning, but I need to get back to the venue for the night show.  Lots of people say "Good luck!"  I didn't think there was any luck involved until I did it.  Yes, there is luck.  "May the judges like you!"

Just in case I don't get back to my blog tonight, this is my blog post for the day.  My commitment to blog every day is what this is.
Looking forward to hanging with my boys backstage tonight.  The Little bodybuilders are gonna steal the show!

And I hope I get to do a little stealing of my own.

Thanks for all the cheers and support! I really appreciate it!

Day 364

Bodybuilding is alive and well in Alaska.  The competitor turnout at weigh in was pretty ridiculous.  It's a huge show!  I'm glad I decided to throw my speedo in the ring.  Actually it's a stage, not a ring.  I only say speedo, because 99% of people refer to posing trunks as speedo's.  Cut a speedo in half, and you've got yourself posing trunks.  Just be careful which half you cut off. 

And, the 2013-2014 body of work is done.  The tan is on.  I'm all dried out and ready to compete.  And what a great feeling it is to know I"M READY.  There is nothing I would do different.  I am at my  best yet.  So I think, and so we shall see tomorrow.

Off to bed for a few winks. 

Dreams of Glory!  (AKA, a cheap plastic trophy!) 

But the real reward is the effort itself.

Looking Sick & Awesome

2013 Empire Classic.  Sucked up!  I'm not this scary yet.  Maybe tomorrow.

"You look sick!", and "Chad Looks Terrible", are a couple of the compliments I've heard this week.  There's no better confidence booster I could receive.  Granted I'm fully clothed, it's my face they see. I agree,  It's thin!  I know I'm ready when I'm swimming in my 33's, and my "smedium" shirts are a little baggy.  I'm there now.  I won't attempt a shopping trip with a half brain.  Besides, a pair of chick pants are only going to last a couple weeks, then I'm gonna eat fish tacos until my clothes fit again.

But I'm enjoying the ride.  It has been fun, but I miss prepping for competition with my buddy Mike.  We both get such a rise out of the prep and competition.  There's a meat-head mojo that is created when a couple of like minded pals push toward a common goal.  I know he'd like to compete, but Mike is a busy man these days.  Work and family take precedence.  As they should.  And he's a great support no matter how busy he is.  I appreciate that. 

I don't have any funny, poignant or helpful thoughts tonight.   I'm just grateful for the opportunities and blessings I enjoy.  I appreciate my friends and family.  Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my blog.  It means something to me.

It's lights out for this zombie.