Well exhaustion set in, and has now set out, but still very tired and looking forward to the end of the bodybuilding season - and that comes along with the Phil-Asia Championships in a few weeks.

But a moment to look back now, instead of forward, and reflect on last weekends NABBA Nationals.  You forget just how long the day is at the Nationals.  144 athletes battling it out for gold.  About 2 million classes, and a lot of great bodies out there.

This year though, we knew what we were getting into, as opposed to 2009 when we were super-rookies, with just the Wellington show under our belts 14 days before the big event.  That season saw a whirlwind with me taking the Overall at both Wellington and at the Nationals for the Athletic Class from the Novice tall section.  Ness too was straight into it, taking second place in the Figure 35+ that year also. 

Last year, was not so flash, Ness dropping out of the placings, and me not managing to defend my title, losing out to a very shark Rick Ujfalussy for the Overall Athletic title.

2011 though, under our new trainer Daryl Payne, and nutritionist Tarren McCall saw us both improve out of this world.  Vanessa more so, with her legs going from a body part that was lagging to a strength.  Ness again placed second in the Figure 35+, pushing veteran Sue Betridge to her limits - another 12 months at the coalface should see Ness topple her 'nemesis' - once she brings the upper body to the class of her legs there'll be no stopping her!

I also came in a lot sharper, and with my upper body improving in leaps and bounds too, thanks to Dr Payne, presented the judges with a more balanced physique that saw me beat Rick to take back 'my' title.  With my legs always being my strong point, it was nice to read the review on www.gofigure.com that it was my upper body mass that saw me beat Rick, as opposed to beating him in the shanks.  So plenty to work on there for me, and with a few kilos to work with thanks to Tarren leaning me down so well, a bit more growth in the upper body is the plan.

So a win and a second placing - dejavu (just how do you spell that word) all over again (as they say).  The pairs second also, we lost out to the polished performance of Steve Quinn and Carolyn Mailo.  They do have a very nice routine, far too slow for us, with my two left feet being a major handicap in the graceful stakes!  However a new routine coming up for Harbour, which by Nationals next year should be polished ready to go!

Until we were asked to go to the Philippines for the Phil-Asia show, this was going to be out last outing of the year.  This coming weekend was going to see me playing veterans rugby at a local tournament, drinking a couple of beers, eating hangi and in general enjoying a bit of time out.  Now instead of that, the team that I arrange each season will have to have their fun without me!  At least there'll be plenty of action photos for them as I fill in time between eating chicken!

We've also decided to jump in and do the NABBA North Harbour Champs too.  We fly out the Tuesday afterwards, and it'll be a good dry run to keep us in tone for the Philippines.  We won't be dehydrating for this one, just go in at whatever level we are at 5 days out from the big comp.  That'll be an interesting experience, especially as I don't like doing things half cocked - I like to win, so will have to adjust my mindset, and accept that someone might come into this show leaner and meaner than me, and I might not win.  I hate the idea of not winning, but we'll see what happens!  This show sort of insurance for next year against injury and what not, qualifying for the 2012 Nationals early.  I think though we got out Nationals prep' right this year, with the BOP five weeks out, Wellington two, and then the Nationals.  Three comps in five weeks well manageable, and Tarren bought us in leaner and leaner each time - it went according to plan big time.

So one more major bridge to cross before seasons end, fingers crossed it won't end up like the move, 'a bridge too far', but more like 'Zulu', where the good guys won in the end.  That is. if you think the Brits were the good guys in that one...