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.
