2008 Try Try Again & You'll Finally Win!

In 2008, I continued working with IFBB pro Denise Gerard on my training and contest preparation. After my 7th place finish at the 2007 Team Universe I was bound & determined to get it right this time! This year, I decided to take a break away from the Team Universe and try something fresh. How about the Jr. Nationals in Charleston, S.C. that would be something new! But of course, I needed a warm up. The Bodyrock was no longer being held in DC so I decided to try my hand at the Pittsburgh Championships which I hadn't competed in since 2002.





This year I made a complete improvement over 2006 and won the Overall at the Pittsburgh Championships!

 This was an accomplishment for me because it showed improvement. I had never won my weight class at this show in the past much less the overall. An overall win as a lightweight made it that much more sweet because the heavyweights are generally thought to be the one to get the Overall win.

 
Once again Denise encouraged me to get out in the hall with my trophies & take a few minutes as soon as I got off stage to make sure I had some good photos & remembered the day. 

Thanks again Dee for the encouragement to take these photos & for your help in this win.







This win set me up with all the confidence I needed to hit the Jr. USA and get that middleweight win! I had the time of my life in the posedown for the Overall. Just seemed like good girl fun! I am 2nd from the left in the photos below.

And at the end of the day, I was facing some other challenges & had to hit the road home early but found a flower at my room door with a note. A little something extra from Dee, it meant a lot to me so it came home with me & I photographed it with my trophies. As with every great accomplishment, some challenges always arise.