I Said I Was Going To Do This …But I’m Not

It was 11 years ago that I entered a bodybuilding competition.? Just to do it. I wasn’t even aware that they had different categories.? One for “aesthetic bodies”, which I would say suits me,? and one for the? mass monsters – which I definitely am not. ? I entered the wrong one. Oh well.? And since I was approaching 60 years of age I wanted to do a masters Over-60…but they didn’t have one – just an over 50, because, who the hell over 60 has a body anyone wants to look at? ? So I did that and heartedly got my head handed to me. Guys, and gals,? these days are defying aging in a way unheard of just 20 years ago.? Some of these guys (most who just turned 50) looked amazing!? Sure, they’ve been juicing for the last 20 years, but, whatever.? They looked phenomenal.? I came in 7th in a field of 10.?

I remember announcing right here on Linkedin (God, it’s been that long?) that I might do an over 70 show.? After all, I never stopped training and besides a few more wrinkles look pretty much as good as I did at 60. Well, I think I COULD look as good with two months of strict dieting. Hey, it’ll give me something to strive for. So I looked into it.?

?Well, it seems I’m always 10 years ahead of the times. Now they have an over 60 contest, but no over 70.? One organization , which is drug tested, said they’d make a special division for me. Great.? So now I can pay to enter a contest with no contestants.? I’ll be the token? senior.? Look at the old guy up there in his underwear!? What pride I’ll feel? getting THAT trophy.? No thanks.?

So I’ll be passing and at first I was disappointed. But then I realized that in a way, this shows that I’ve been on the right path.? I know I can’t compete with youth. All I can do is be the best I can be right here and now. And putting that up to the scrutiny of some self appointed judges may not, and most probably should not, be of much concern at this point.? I started working out so I wouldn’t be so scrawny that? the bullies wouldn’t pick on me.? And over a half century later I have no competition in my age range. And I wound up outliving the bullies.? Sure, that may be a bit of a pyrrhic victory,? but it’s something. Isn’t it??

And the best part is, I can have a beer with dinner and ice cream for desert.?

And maybe, in 10 years they’ll have an Over-80 contest.??

I’ll start