stolzenator
03-10-09, 12:21 pm
As a Columbus native, I've gotten to know the areas gyms, restaraunts, bus system, etc. I'm lucky enough to call Metro Fitness downtown my home gym, and train with a WNBF pro almost every day. I've been to the Arnold the previous 4 years in a row.
So, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into this weekend.
It was my first Arnold weekend as a member of the Animal family. I've now realized there's no other way to experience the Arnold. Not if you wanna get anything out of it at least.
Started Wed morning. Yes. I was the first Animal to sneak a look at the Cage. Was there setting up at 7am, and even though it was only half constructed, and most things were still in boxes, the excitement already began to rise. I snapped a few shots (posted on bb.com) and got back to work, wondering what was in store.
Thursday night. Was gunna try to meet some Animals at Metro for a session. Ended up gettin there a little early, sat around for a while, and then had to hit most the workout on my own. Immediately, when I saw some iconic T's stroll through the door, we picked each other out and easily struck up a conversation. Turned out to to Rcott and crew. hit a little bit of tris with them in the presence of Mr. O and THE Charles Glass. Also met most of the Pros that night (as I was walkin out the door).
Friday morning, in the process of skipping all classes to get as much time at the Cage as possible, I got to meet Mr. Aestheticz and his girl while waiting to get in. (I'm stealing your sticker idea for my gym bag ps). When we got to the cage, I'm please to announce that I was THE FIRST ONE to open up those glorious cabinets with the supp samples in them. The Cage was rockin from the get-go. Contests, bros vs pros, exhibitions, seminars, it all kicked ass. and in the Box we had front row seats to everything. The number of jealous looks I got from friends and classmates on the outside lookin in was crazy.
After being at the expo all day, Hola, Big C, BlitznDestroy and I decided it'd be a good idea to train legs. we killed it (Blitz almost killed himself) and metro still doesnt know what hit it that night. the Animals rolled in and took over. People were still talking about how awesome it was that we all rolled together today. ate at max and ermas with freak, blitz, hola, and the rest of the crew, bad service, acceptable food, great company.
Saturday at the expo was a cloudy, messy blur for me (you know what I mean if you saw me there, or the pictures the lovely Deanna took while i was asleep in the box). but I do know i saw some sick lifts happen from Big Byrd and his crew, along with a nasty lookin squat comp from Freak. also got alot of awesome advice from Mr A about contest prep. thanks alot!
The ABC was off the chain. Gettin Metro all to ourselves was badass. Vinny offered to help me with my posing since i was two weeks out, so we went upstairs to the posing room. heard alot of "that sucks, dont do that" but also alot of great great advice and encouragement. best part of my weekend. Thanks again Vinny. headed to max and ermas again to eat with Big Byrd himself, somehow they ran out of broccoli, which is the only green on their entire menu. then headed downstairs for some interesting (unrepeatable) conversations with big al, jjhoffer, and the crew.
Sunday at the Cage, feelin better, again, unreal. decided it was my turn to help out a little bit, so I signed people up for the comps as well as helped with the store. seein people trickle out sucked, but I know i made some great new friends. stayed to help break things down, said my own goodbyes, and sadly walked off to Metro on my own, knowing that gym was not gunna be the same without the presence of all the Animals id gotten so used to seeing there.
thanks for an awesome weekend everyone. Columbus isn't the same without all of you here. Come on back anytime!
So, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into this weekend.
It was my first Arnold weekend as a member of the Animal family. I've now realized there's no other way to experience the Arnold. Not if you wanna get anything out of it at least.
Started Wed morning. Yes. I was the first Animal to sneak a look at the Cage. Was there setting up at 7am, and even though it was only half constructed, and most things were still in boxes, the excitement already began to rise. I snapped a few shots (posted on bb.com) and got back to work, wondering what was in store.
Thursday night. Was gunna try to meet some Animals at Metro for a session. Ended up gettin there a little early, sat around for a while, and then had to hit most the workout on my own. Immediately, when I saw some iconic T's stroll through the door, we picked each other out and easily struck up a conversation. Turned out to to Rcott and crew. hit a little bit of tris with them in the presence of Mr. O and THE Charles Glass. Also met most of the Pros that night (as I was walkin out the door).
Friday morning, in the process of skipping all classes to get as much time at the Cage as possible, I got to meet Mr. Aestheticz and his girl while waiting to get in. (I'm stealing your sticker idea for my gym bag ps). When we got to the cage, I'm please to announce that I was THE FIRST ONE to open up those glorious cabinets with the supp samples in them. The Cage was rockin from the get-go. Contests, bros vs pros, exhibitions, seminars, it all kicked ass. and in the Box we had front row seats to everything. The number of jealous looks I got from friends and classmates on the outside lookin in was crazy.
After being at the expo all day, Hola, Big C, BlitznDestroy and I decided it'd be a good idea to train legs. we killed it (Blitz almost killed himself) and metro still doesnt know what hit it that night. the Animals rolled in and took over. People were still talking about how awesome it was that we all rolled together today. ate at max and ermas with freak, blitz, hola, and the rest of the crew, bad service, acceptable food, great company.
Saturday at the expo was a cloudy, messy blur for me (you know what I mean if you saw me there, or the pictures the lovely Deanna took while i was asleep in the box). but I do know i saw some sick lifts happen from Big Byrd and his crew, along with a nasty lookin squat comp from Freak. also got alot of awesome advice from Mr A about contest prep. thanks alot!
The ABC was off the chain. Gettin Metro all to ourselves was badass. Vinny offered to help me with my posing since i was two weeks out, so we went upstairs to the posing room. heard alot of "that sucks, dont do that" but also alot of great great advice and encouragement. best part of my weekend. Thanks again Vinny. headed to max and ermas again to eat with Big Byrd himself, somehow they ran out of broccoli, which is the only green on their entire menu. then headed downstairs for some interesting (unrepeatable) conversations with big al, jjhoffer, and the crew.
Sunday at the Cage, feelin better, again, unreal. decided it was my turn to help out a little bit, so I signed people up for the comps as well as helped with the store. seein people trickle out sucked, but I know i made some great new friends. stayed to help break things down, said my own goodbyes, and sadly walked off to Metro on my own, knowing that gym was not gunna be the same without the presence of all the Animals id gotten so used to seeing there.
thanks for an awesome weekend everyone. Columbus isn't the same without all of you here. Come on back anytime!