Merry Christmas!

Two days until Christmas! I am done with finals, done with grading papers, done with shopping (pretty much) and just ready to celebrate. I have to get a heavy work out in tomorrow and then just cardio on Christmas Eve -- and Monday is a day off. Sweet!

In looking ahead to the competition season, it looks like finals are going to conflict with May shows. That would suck to miss the Grand Prix in Illinois, seeing as though I REALLY think it's MY YEAR, this year. But I can't imagine having finals and dieting at the same time. In fact, that sounds pretty stupid. I did find a show in Minnesota on April 14 -- the Gopher State Championships, but it's so far away from any national shows that it doesn't seem like good timing. Ug, and I REALLY want to do Junior Nationals this year, or Nationals in Vegas. Oh, well, I will figure it out before New Year's -- which gives me one week.

I am also really thinking about starting to personal train again in January. I really miss it. I just am not sure if I have time to focus because it takes a lot of my energy to really get an effective plan together for someone. And I am taking 15 credits this semester-- that's more than full time, which is usually 9-12 for grad school. Hm.

Oh, well, I'll figure it out.

Meantime, Happy Holidays to all! Thanks for reading my blog. I am going to revamp it over my break .. and my web site too. (Right, Al?)

Crunch time

My sister Kelly came to visit over the weekend, so we went to the mall of america ... we went to the aquarium between stores. Check out this crazy shot I took in the shark tunnel.

Well, it's December and as a present to myself, I decided to lean up a little bit. I miss seeing my veins, so I thought I would pop some out as a present to myself. I actually feel like a real bodybuilder now because I really do think I gained a couple pounds of muscle this year. I have been in a constant state of pain from ripping my muscles for the last few months. Especially in my legs and triceps. I have also been working on my shoulders, which will be my main area of focus this spring. I think I will finally be done gaining weight if all goes to plan into this next contest season. I am not sure where I am competing yet. I feel compelled to head down to Illinois again. I just can not give up until I win in that darn state! Now I am also looking for a good show in Minnesota. There are a couple male bodybuilders at my club (Gold's Gym in Shakopee), but I haven't met any other women yet. (NPC) Well, see. As for Junior Nationals in Chicago, I am planning on going there, but depends on what shows I find to do prior. Plenty of time to decide though.

Good news is that we expanded my morning Spinning/Cycling class from 45 minutes to 60 minutes, so I have to go to bed 15 minutes earlier (we start at 5:45 instead of 6 a.m. now). So I teach Cycling 4 mornings a week and then I lift the other days. I am thinking about starting to personal train again. I miss it a lot. I am just not sure I will have time next semester and it's not something I like doing 1/2 way. So, we'll see.