{{Updated with photos from Chad Doyon Photography}}
Saturday was show day, and it could not have come soon enough! After weeks of work, I was excited to see what everything looked like the day of the competition. I straightened by hair, fixed my makeup (stay tuned for a future show on what to DIY – and what not to. Lesson learned!), packed up what I would need for the day, sent a final set of pictures over to my coach, and headed to the competition venue.
The venue was a flurry of activity – and we still had 2.5 hours before the competition started! With nearly 35 bikini girls set to go on stage within the first 30 minutes of the show, the line for tan touch-ups was long. After we were re-sprayed, we went to the backstage area to claim space (and a chair, if you were lucky) for the day. At 11am, Bikini Debut took the stage. In the first round, you walk out with all of the girls in your class and the judges compare your physiques by having everyone strike a front poses and back poses. They call numbers for you to swap spots so they can see you standing near other girls. Once each judge has ranked the competitors, you’re dismissed from the stage and the next class goes on. As with most OCB shows, this is where the final placings are determined – finals is just a chance to have fun and strut your stuff solo!
OCB Pine Tree State
OCB Pine Tree State
What they don’t tell you about competing is how much waiting around there is! Bikini prejudging was done within 30 minutes, then we had to wait until 5 for finals to start. Some left to go to the hotel and nap, others stuck around to chat and nap on the gym floor. I’m glad I stayed at the venue. It provided a great opportunity to watch some of the other categories (the figure and bodybuilding competitors were so impressive!) and connect with other competitors. Plus, friends from Team Anthrofit arrived to keep me company and watch finals!
Honestly, being backstage was my favorite part of the entire show. The other competitors were so friendly and nice. The experienced competitors were able to offer tons of great advice, and it was great to pass the time sharing stories and laughing about everyone’s pre-stage routines – from attempts to “pump” their muscles using random equipment in the gym, to applying bikini glue to stick posing suits on relative strangers, to eating marshmallow fluff and peanut butter straight from the jars (the sugar and fats help with filling out the muscles and appearing more vascular).
I couldn’t have asked for a better first show – it ran like clockwork, and the opportunity to go on stage with such a supportive group of girls who were all competing for the first time (Bikini Debut) was just what I needed to shake off the initial nerves. I’m beyond pleased with the results, too. I’m ready to get back into the gym and make some improvements to bring an even better package to the stage this summer!
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