Jr. USAs, my new girl crush and a cooler to die for...

JP and I headed to Charleston this past weekend for the NPC Jr. USA Bodybuilding Championships.  JP was such a trooper, as worked pretty much the entire time we were there.  Next time you see him, get him to tell you the story about oiling up the light-heavy and heavy weight bodybuilding guys.  Hilarious!

Jenna went with us and was such a trooper all day - until men's bodybuilding started.  The music was so loud, and it agitated her, even with her ear muffs.  But it was the last event of the day, and that was at around 9pm - after she had been there since about 11am that morning.  Like I said, she is such a trooper, and is getting used to traveling.

Being there renewed my interest in possibly competing.  It seems like insanity to some people, but I love it.  And with the introduction of the new physique division, my interest was peaked even more.  It's still a thought, but something I have thought about for a long time, so we'll see...

Speaking of the women's physique division...the first ever IFBB Physique Pro, Dana Linn Bailey, stood out above and beyond any of the other competitors.  Her personality really came through during the night show during her posing routine, and although we were up at the top back of the Performing Arts Center, her physique was great even from there.  I have a really big girl-crush on her!  Fortunately for me, there is not a shortage of information about her right now.  You can check her out at her website: Dana Linn   Here is a You Tube video of her doing a photo shoot at her home gym:

However much I liked the women's physique competition, I have to say that, being the first time it was unveiled in competition, it was the slowest moving element of the day.  They had half of the amount of competitors than figure, but took twice as long.  And since they are still working out what the overall criteria will be (beyond stating that it is somewhere between figure and bodybuilding), what they are looking for could vary widely from show to show and year to year.  We shall see...

For the overall awards they were giving out Six Pack Fitness Coolers.  What a great idea!  As soon as we have a little extra money, we are going to get one for each of us.  It has a space for everything you could need, and it keeps them separate, something we don't get with our regular coolers.  Check it out: Six Pack Bags

I could write and write, but I will leave it at this.  I do want to give a shout out to Ashley Heyl, who placed 6th in a really tough figure class!  This is a great placing for her first national show ever!  Congrats, lady!  And say a prayer if you read this, as her fiancé is recently deployed.  Not only is she dealing with missing him, but also doesn't have him here during her competition cycle - a tough place for sure!  And also keep an eye out for Becca Luna, who wasn't able to compete at Jr. USAs due to a stomach flu bug, but she is prepping for Jr. Nationals in Chicago June 18th, and is planning on coming in strong!

Good night everyone!

Julie