Ironman FitExpo recap

After two days up in Pasadena at the Ironman FitExpo, I have come to the realization of one fact:

I am not a good schmoozer.

I don't know what it is, but man, expos can be rough on a guy like me. If I run into someone I've shot in the past, we know each other's vibe and can communicate on a certain level. But as much as I love seeing the same folks at their respective booths once or twice a year, my schmoozing skills usually turn what should be a heartfelt reunion into an awkward few seconds filled with phrases like, "so, what are you up to these days" and plenty of inappropriate chuckling.

Maybe it's all in my head, but I don't know. I think I need to check and see if there are any schmoozing classes offered at the Learning Annex.

Anyhow, this was the first FitExpo I had ever attended, and the expo itself was entertaining, yet a bit on the wee size. There were always activites and demos going on at the stage in the expo, from Figure prejudging to bench press competitions to Fittest Couple showdowns. Due to the relative small size of the expo — compared to the Olympia and Arnold, at least — the aisle got a bit clogged during the more popular on-stage events, turning the walkways into impassable cul-de-sacs. I'm guessing that kind of turnout is a good thing, however, vouching for the popularity of the three-day event. Hopefully as the years go on, the FitExpo will continue to grow and join the Big Two as one of the premiere fitness events in the US.

While I was in Pasadena I clocked in my first on-the-road photoshoots of the year, which is always a fun yet challenging time. The challenge is always to make the photos look like they weren't taken a block from the host hotel, and to give all the people I shoot with a little variety so I don't exploit the same location over and over again. Although a couple shoots didn't materialize, I was able to bribe Tanji Johnson, Gina Aliotti, Vanessa Van Overmeer and Dawn Kirkham to shoot with me. The unfamiliar name in that roster is Dawn, who was a relative photoshoot newbie going into our shoot, but we still got some really cool shots, one being the photo you see on the right.

As far as the actual competition went, Monica Mark walked away with the overall title, beating out other respective class winners Dawn Kirkham and Danielle Edmonds. The placings were pretty consistent and the judging seemed on point, although the crowd tossed out some disapproving boos when Alecia Rankovic was called for second instead of winning the tall class. The Top 5 placings were:

Figure Class A
1. Monica Mark
2. Cindy Martinez
3. Debbie Bell
4. Kathryn Payton
5. Sirvan Ergili

Figure Class B
1. Dawn Kirkham
2. Michele Cogger
3. Dena Gunnoe
4. Vanessa Van Overmeer
5. Venus Ramos

Figure Class C
1. Danielle Edmonds
2. Alecia Rankovic
3. Soumaya Wilmore
4. Hilary Fonseca
5. Allyson Ellenson

All in all, it was a fun trip. I got to awkwardly reunite with old pals, I got complimented quite a bit on my choice of apparel, I scraped my car door in the parking gargage, I ended up getting a hotel room that went unused, I.. wait, it was supposed to be fun, right? Ah, but it was, I just kid. Stay classy Pasadena, I'll see you next year.