Women's Media Nation | Social, political, and cultural issues relating to women

The Olympics 2010: Spotlight on Amy Bennett

posted by ChickSpeak
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 3:54pm CST

Chicks, when you think of a champion extreme athlete, what picture comes to mind? A sweat-soaked woman enduring a grueling race, her mind focused on nothing but victory? A fierce warrior climbing the last hill, winning by ten yards? A girl documenting her goals in her journal, meditating her way to the top?

The truth is all that…and more.

Say hello to Amy Bennett, a multiple-time Xterra champion athlete. On the side, she’s a newlywed camp coach who works on the USS Lake Erie. Two years ago, ChickSpeak sat down with this inspiring woman and examined her ascent to victory. Now, we speak with her again, in hopes of spreading her motivational story even more.

The great Margret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Well, if anyone has a chance of ringing this statement true, it has to be Amy Bennett.

Just read on for proof.

ChickSpeak: As an Xterra athlete, what do you do? What are your specialties?

Amy Bennett: As an Xterra athlete, it is all about the off-road. You have to be ready to take on any obstacle and overcome what ever breaks along the way. We have to specialize in ocean swimming, mountain biking, and trail running.

Off-road at Xterra distance is all about explosive, anaerobic power. The key is to train hills and intervals and have a good group of buddies who will really push you.

CS: How has your racing been going?

AB: What a great year it has been for racing! I really felt like God rewarded me for taking time off with my broken wrist. I won the Mountain Man Xterra and the Double, which is the fastest combined time for Ironman and Xterra World Championships.Erik, my husband, was so supportive, and even rode beside me during long runs.

CS: How have you changed since the last time ChickSpeak spoke with you?

AB: I met the love of my life, Erik, and got married this summer at Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii.

(Of course, it was no ordinary wedding.) We hosted a wedding race weekend over the fourth of July. The two day festival consisted of a 10K off-road run, 20K mountain bike race, off-road triathlon, BBQ lunch, live band, and then a wedding. Now, we hope to make it an annual event every Independence Day weekend!

Check out Freedom Fest Hawaii for more information.

For wedding gifts, we collected donations through a PayPal account. All the funds were then used towards our honeymoon trip, where Erik and I took off to Peru for one month. We trekked Manchu Picchu and went on a two week mountain bike adventure across the country, traveling up and over a 16,000 foot pass and stopping to deliver food, schoolbooks, and clothing to youth homes, orphanages, and schools along the way. The gifts we received at the wedding allowed us to cover over 600 miles. What better way to spend a honeymoon that exploring a country, helping others, and really learning about each other?

CS: How do you continue to possess the drive and stamina necessary to maintain such a high level of athleticism?

AB: It is easy to train hard when you are having fun! The key is to find something challenging that you can do with your friends.Training then becomes an opportunity for you to push someone, and building stamina is a chance to keep up with faster friends. Racing is a team…when I slack, my friends miss a workout!

CS: What are your largest challenges and obstacles? How do you overcome your weaknesses in order to succeed?

AB: My largest challenge is time! With a real job, a husband, and coaching, I have to manage my time wisely.I find the best way to set priorities is to start each day writing them down. Each morning, I get out my journal and take the time to mentally, physically, and spiritually focus. By writing out what I am doing, I have a plan.

Without a plan, nothing happens.

CS: Is there a certain kind of motivation that is helpful to you, that pumps you up before a competition?

AB: My best motivation is being thankful! As part of my morning journaling, I list five things that I am thankful for each day. Starting my day grateful always motivates me to do great things. When I get to a race, I thank people for coming to race and helping to keep the multisport lifestyle alive. Through the race, I thank the volunteers and push those around me. Encouragement, smiles, and sportsmanship will pump you up.

CS: What do you do besides competing?

AB: One of my favorite priorities is a women’s Bible study I lead on Sunday evenings. It is so great to fellowship with women outside of spandex! I am also a Big Sister to a girl a local girl. We have sleepovers every Thursday and she is even doing my triathlon class.

CS: How do you think that Chicks can benefit from listening to your story?

AB: Women should really look at my life and my story because I absolutely love life. Thankfulness, investing in others, and building up yourself will bring you joy. Stay positive and take on challenges gratefully. Always look for a chance to encourage and grow. Remember that you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be willing to try. We can all accomplish amazing things. Usually we are the only person saying that we can’t. Focus on positive self talk and surround yourself with doers!

Maxine Frendel is a writer from New Jersey. Interviewing Amy was so inspiring and motivational to her. She thinks that every young woman should take Amy’s story to heart. For more of Maxine, check out her blog, Queen Maxine’s Blog.