Those of you with long memories will recall my reproduction of Alan's letter and a posting on Mick hart's web site (used with permission).

This article continues our 66-year olds journey in the Iron game - proving it don't matter how old you are!

It was all Martin's fault ...

I signed up with Muscle-FX in September '00, when I had been back with the weights - and working out real hard - for about 18 months, ... after a lay-off of some 20 YEARS !! From starting out again, I had put myself into the hands of a trainer, because this 66 year-old, with old bones and joints, didn't want to do anything crazy, did he? Even so, my experiences were pretty bad up to that point; schedules that were too long and far too heavy found me frequently with a physio or osteopath. Now, it was Steve Avery who took me on and got me started at Muscle-FX, virtually from scratch once more - after I had a torn rotator cuff sorted out!! That super-fit Marathon-running killer guy at the Y had said, "If I'd given that routine to anyone else over 50, I know it would have killed them. But I thought you were up for it ... !!"

Turning up as regular as clockwork, four times a week on a well-balanced routine soon had me putting on kilos that were NOT fat-related and muscles began to sprout as never before. And soon, every time I checked in and he was at the desk, Martin, the gym manager, would ask if I had thought of competition. Who, ME ?? No way !! I had been to the top shows, like the EFBB and NABBA finals and gaped in amazement at today's chemically-sponsored miracles in muscle. I had seen Steve top his class at Nottingham and I had marveled at the incredible standards set by today's Masters - I wish !! But I hadn't come across ANY class for geriatric wannabees, like going on 68 ...

Still, Martin persisted and my next trainer in line said the same. So, when on holiday last September, I looked in at Mr. Harrogate 2001 and had a FANTASTIC day at a competition that I felt I could have coped with. Might even have given some of the Seniors a run for their money, even though the oldest competitor was a mere 54 !! Back at the gym, I announced that I was up for the Mr. Hercules, at Colchester - and the rest, as they say is history.

Muscle Mob
At quite the wrong moment, my trainer changed his job and all but disappeared from my scene. I was left to adjust my diet by sheer guess work, to try to get cut and show those muscles I knew were there. Damar Martin took on the unenviable task of getting me stage ready, with the compulsories and a pose routine - and I must have been the least able poseur ever! As the date approached, I was more determined than ever to give it my all - and had a lot of encouragement over the 'phone from Scott Horton, of Hercules Gym. Rob came to my place two evenings running, to paint me in ProTan ... and ... so to Colchester - ALONE !! No-one came to offer support or even to oil my back !! It was just ME - plus damned hard work, good grub and loads of Muscle Mob / Whey Consortium protein - and I was on ... as a Senior, alongside another Alan who was 21 years my junior and twelve years preparation behind him.

It was an incredible experience !! Out of this world - the applause, the shouting - I couldn't hear my pose music for the noise. And I had no stage fright whatsoever ... I was on a massive high for days afterwards.

So I came two out of two .. i.e. last !! - and declined to take away that handsome cup. Scott would have none of it; "Well deserved !!", he insisted. I was approached by so many people from the audience afterwards, - "Hope I look like you when I'm your age ..." "Wish my Dad looked like that !!" There have been articles to write .. an interview on the BBC with John Peel ... and the greatest accolade of them all, a forthcoming feature in SAGA Magazine ...

Next time around ... watch this space !! No ifs or buts, it'll be the REAL Seniors - and still "au naturel" ?? I think so ..

And it's (still) all Martin's fault ...

Yet another Muscle Mobster is out gathering trophies.