On your mark, get set …: adventurist Cathy Sassin talks about women's potential and why nobody should wear bike shorts - women's health - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, Jan, 2002 by Patti Woods-Lavoie

Imagine for a moment: you're in a remote part of the world, maybe the South American rainforest or the Australian Outback. You have traveled there with a team of other people, but your objective is not to sightsee. Instead, you're about to embark on one of the most grueling, difficult challenges you've ever faced. You will test your endurance as you race nonstop across 500 or more miles of jungle, desert and mountains using whatever means possible--mountain biking, canoeing, white-water rafting, repeling, hiking and caving. To add to the challenge, you will only be allowed an hour of sleep each night, and you can only eat what you can carry. Sound like fun? For Cathy Sassin it is.

Sassin, a 37-year-old nutritionist from Venice Beach, Calif., has made her name as one of the top female adventure racers in the world, ever since she discovered the "sport" in the early `90s. "I played sports my whole life," she said. She was active in basketball, badminton and soccer during her high school years. "After leaving college athletics, especially as a woman, it was difficult to find something to fill the gap." Sassin tried club activities, but found them lacking. "I had been searching for a sport, but the fact is that I'm a team athlete. I love team dynamics and working with other people."

It was a natural fit, then, when she discovered adventure racing. In the early 1990s, Sassin was first approached by Mark Burnett (the executive producer of "Survivor") for his non-stop expedition race, "Eco-Challenge."

"I had never been on a mountain bike, in a raft, kayak, canoe, climbing harness, over a cliff, in a jungle or on a glacier," said Sassin. But that didn't stop her. Gearing up with a compass, backpack and a survival blanket, she went to the Eco-Challenge tryouts. "I went only to have a fun outdoor weekend and ended up winning," she said. "I had six months to learn all the sports." Now Sassin averages about three races a year.

Although she's in excellent physical condition, Sassin has had her share of challenges. In the 1998 Raid Gauloises, in Ecuador, she battled pulmonary edema and a dislocated shoulder. In addition, she suffers from asthma, which makes mountain races, where the air is thin, particularly difficult.

But being an adventurer is only part of her life, as her schedule is often full with her day-to-day work and training.

"My lifestyle is super busy," she said. When she isn't working with her nutrition clients, she's busy conducting lectures and working as a product spokesperson. Sassin usually begins by waking up at 5:30 and packing her meals for the day (she eats every four hours). From 6 to 8 a.m. she trains, then works until about 1 p.m. Then, from 1 to 5 p.m., she trains and returns e-mails. She then works with her clients at night. "It's all a matter of organization," she said.

But just what does Sassin eat to stay healthy and give her the energy she needs? "I usually stick with the same 15 foods," she said. Balancing her intake of protein, carbohydrates and calories, breakfast usually consists of nine egg whites and a bagel with peanut butter and jelly. Lunch or dinner can be chicken with tortillas and avocados, halibut with rice and almonds and fruit, or turkey with pasta, sauce and vegetables. In fact, diet plays a huge role in her life. "People don't make a connection with food and how they feel. They recognize cravings but don't associate what they eat with feeling tired, lethargic or irritable."

Sassin has cut dairy out of her diet and takes a daily multiple vitamin/mineral, plus glucosamine for her joints. Occasionally, when she needs to supplement her diet, she will use a protein powder or bar.

In addition to fulfilling her need for team sports, adventure racing has also helped Sassin in the business world. She has learned to work with others in a team environment and brings her strength and determination to everyday challenges. "I know no matter what happens, I just need to keep moving forward and it will work out."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADVENTURE RACING, CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING:

California Sports Marketing, www.csmevents.com Adventure Training Consultants, www.adventuretrain.com United States Adventure Racing Association, www.usara.com Michael Epstein Sports Productions, Inc. www.mesp.com Frontier Adventure Racing, www.raidthenorth.com Colorado Adventure Training, www.adventuretraining.com

Cathy Sassin's Advice to Women

"Women, especially, don't really know what their potentials is, "said Sassin. Below are some tips she gives to women who might consider getting involved in sports or exercise.

1) Get out and do something, anything.

2) Have the right clothes. Nobody looks good in bike shorts.

3) Pay attention to nutrition. If you eat properly, you automatically lose fat.

4) Know that, with exercise, the number on the scale may not change, but your body composition will.

5) Don't just do aerobic exercise; also do strength training. Lift bags of rice or bottles of water to develop your arm and back muscles.