Fame!
Amy Bennett, Xterra Champion Athlete, Shares Her Advice
What’s the common denominator between an Ironman & Xterra Triathlete Champion, a Top 10% finisher in the Boston Marathon, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader?
Drive? Maybe.
Passion? Probably.
One woman named Amy Bennett? Definitely.
Pro Athlete Amy Bennett is hardly your average woman. She’s accomplished more from a competitive sports angle than most groups of women have in a lifetime. Beyond her athletic prowess, she’s a US Merchant Marine Officer, a troop leader for the Girl Scouts, and involved in inspiring women to be active and healthy through the Xterra Ultra Girl program. Beyond her impressive resume, she’s got a humble streak and a centered core.
We recently connected with Amy and found out more about how she’s been able to go so far in her life and in terms of helping others.
ChickSpeak: What is your advice for any woman who wants to become more fit and active, but doesn’t know where to begin or feels overwhelmed?
Amy Bennett: First, you need to make a commitment. Nothing comes easy and nothing comes in 2 weeks. You need to commit to an 8 week plan and stick to it regardless of how painful, boring, or unsuccessful it may be.
Second, you need to keep a log. From the time you get up, to the time you go to bed, LOG your activities, food intake, fitness level- everything. Start looking at your body as the hot, curvy machine that you want it to be. We don’t realize where our time and calories go until we write it down.
Third, have an accountability partner. Tell a friend, join a class, or get a trainer. You will be more successful if someone is encouraging you.
Fourth, make a REASONABLE schedule with goals. Base it around TIME rather than weight, miles, and repetitions. This will give you flexibility in your workout program and the opportunity to try new things.
Fifth, have fun! You will be successful when you WANT to make it a lifestyle.
CS: Was there ever a time you wanted to throw in the towel during a competition? If so, tell us about it. Did you push through it? How?
AB: Heck yeah! There were times I wanted to quit. Competition is supposed to be hard, it is a test. When things get tough, I relax and focus on motivating others around me. Turn the attention off the pain and onto the scenery, spectator, competitors and volunteers. Have fun and remember there is a finish line!
CS: If you could give young women one piece of advice that you wish you would have known at age 18 or so, what would you like to share with them?
AB: Be happy and content with where you are at and then work to be better. Some part of you is always going to get better, and some part is gonna to get worse.
Your shape and size has little to do with your success, but your attitude will surely influence your outcome.
CS: Do you have a favorite motivational quote or saying you can share with us?
AB: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. MARK TWAIN
CS: What is one way that you reward yourself and your body after a tough work out?
AB: My diet is pretty consistent whether I am racing, training, or recovering. I don’t believe in filling my body with junk for doing good. Moderation is the key to everything.
Breakfast- steel cut oatmeal with flax, wheat germ, bananas, granola, and yogurt
Lunch- salad with yogurt or a veggie burger
Dinner- breakfast burrito or pasta with homemade sauce
After a workout you want to get down a recovery drink to start the rebuilding process.
My favorite after race treat is fish and chips. Oh- and I usually drink a dark beer or tequila. The tequila aids in recovery by relaxing the muscles :)
For more information on Amy’s life and work, check out her site at www.amyruth.org
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[…] ChickSpeak wrote an interesting post today on Amy Bennett, Xterra Champion Athlete, Shares Her AdviceHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG amy_bennett.jpg]What’s the common denominator between an Ironman & Xterra Triathlete Champion, a Top 10% finisher in the Boston Marathon, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader? Drive? Maybe. Passion? Probably. One woman named Amy Bennett? Definitely. Pro Athlete Amy Bennett is hardly your average woman. She’s accomplished more from a competitive sports angle than most groups of women have in a lifetime. Beyond her athletic prowess, she’s a US Merchant Marine Officer, a troop leader for […]
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[…] ChickSpeak wrote an interesting post today on Amy Bennett, Xterra Champion Athlete, Shares Her AdviceHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG amy_bennett.jpg]What’s the common denominator between an Ironman & Xterra Triathlete Champion, a Top 10% finisher in the Boston Marathon, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader? Drive? Maybe. Passion? Probably. One woman named Amy Bennett? Definitely. Pro Athlete Amy Bennett is hardly your average woman. She’s accomplished more from a competitive sports angle than most groups of women have in a lifetime. Beyond her athletic prowess, she’s a US Merchant Marine Officer, a troop leader for […]
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[…] ChickSpeak wrote an interesting post today on Amy Bennett, Xterra Champion Athlete, Shares Her AdviceHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG amy_bennett.jpg]What’s the common denominator between an Ironman & Xterra Triathlete Champion, a Top 10% finisher in the Boston Marathon, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader? Drive? Maybe. Passion? Probably. One woman named Amy Bennett? Definitely. Pro Athlete Amy Bennett is hardly your average woman. She’s accomplished more from a competitive sports angle than most groups of women have in a lifetime. Beyond her athletic prowess, she’s a US Merchant Marine Officer, a troop leader for […]
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[…] ChickSpeak wrote an interesting post today on Amy Bennett, Xterra Champion Athlete, Shares Her AdviceHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG amy_bennett.jpg]What’s the common denominator between an Ironman & Xterra Triathlete Champion, a Top 10% finisher in the Boston Marathon, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader? Drive? Maybe. Passion? Probably. One woman named Amy Bennett? Definitely. Pro Athlete Amy Bennett is hardly your average woman. She’s accomplished more from a competitive sports angle than most groups of women have in a lifetime. Beyond her athletic prowess, she’s a US Merchant Marine Officer, a troop leader for […]
November 6th at 5:45 am
donnachoi said:
Yeah Team Bennett!!!!
:)
November 6th at 1:24 pm
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