24 hours to first bikini competition On April 13, 2013 I competed in my very first bikini fitness bodybuilding competition.  I had an amazing experience and I say its my “first” because it certainly is not going to be my last. The day before the show I went to the gym to do my last workout before the show.  Up until the day before I had drank more than 3 gallons of water for 6 days and the plan for the day before was about 3 liters consumed before 5pm when the plan was to stop drinking water.  I also got to add in carbs again on Friday.  After my disastrous experience on my experimental peak week however I was very cautious with this.  First couple carbs were small apples spaced 2 hours apart.   I went to the gym in the morning and did a whole body circuit workout that took about an hour. After the gym I ran home and showered and shaved and then headed to the tanning salon.  I had done one coat and washed it off the night before, and I spent close to 3 hours standing around naked waiting for the drenching we applied on Friday to dry.  When I just could’nt wait anymore I put on a t-shirt and really big loose pants and ran home only to find that I had messed up the tan and there were blotchy marks all over.  A few moments of panicked ensued as I was already late to leave and go to the athletes meeting.  I took a damp cloth and blended the worst of it.  Then off to the athletes meeting. I admit I had no idea what this was going to consist of.  I didn’t know weather this was something I was supposed to be dressed up for, or weather I was OK as is etc.  Upon arriving at the meeting I immediately saw two very pretty blond girls that were there as competitors as well.  They were tanned very dark with their hair done, 5 inch heels, dresses and makeup done.  I looked like I had rolled out of bed.  Luckily once I entered the correct room more people looked like me then like them and I relaxed.  The athletes meeting really just means you hand in your bio, sign waivers and get your goodies bag and t-shirt.  I met some people and was standing behind a group of 3 girls all first time competitors in my division (bikini open).  The UFE splits ages up at 35 years old.  I am 33. Meaning while many of the girls in the 35 + group competed in the open division as well I was being judged as equal to an 18 or 20 year old… umm pressure?.  No matter I was trying to make frie On my way back home after the athletes meeting I go a hold of the tanning salon and went back for another coat of tanner.  I then went home – finally. Dinner was a small grilled steak and sweet potato wedges with curry and cinnamon in the oven.  I also drank 2 glasses of wine because its supposed to help the carb up and well… Sleep was an issue.  Because I was trying not to ruin the tan I slept on my back, trying to keep my legs from sticking together and my hands from getting sweaty and touching anything.  Plus I was excited.