Rest, recover, recharge: take a page from how Olympic athletes relax in their down time

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, August, 2004 by Dimity McDowell, Sarah Bowen Shea

eVEN WITH OLYMPIANS' EYES on the golden prize, everything can't be about their sports. After a day of skills and drills, they need some quality relaxation, so that come tomorrow they're ready for some heavy lifting. Their downtime pastimes are varied--from beekeeping to scrapbooking--and many spend time in front of the tube (see page 40 for the Olympic hit parade of television shows).

For more about how these elite athletes recover from killer practices and what they do in their (very limited) spare time, read on.

"I'm a night owl, and don't usually get to bed before midnight, although
before major tournaments I make myself go to bed around 10:30. But I
love naps--I'm religious about them. I take about a two-hour one before
my afternoon practice, and wake up refreshed with plenty of 'stored'
energy."
--Carrie Chandler, 23, judo

"When I'm at home in Oregon, I enjoy turning broken, dilapidated wooden
eights (rowing shells) into furniture, tables, waterfalls, book shelves,
whatever my mind allows me to see."
--Lisa Schlenker, 39, rowing

"Once a week I go to a chiropractor for a form of soft tissue therapy
called Active Release Therapy, which helps my body and muscles move more
effectively."
--Tara Nott Cunningham, 32, weightlifting, gold medal in 2000 Olympics

"When I'm going through a heavy training period and I'm tired and want
to sleep, it actually is better for me not to nap. I just keep busy and
power through during the break between practices so I don't get
lethargic."
--Heather Petri, 26, water polo, silver medal in 2000 Olympics

"I see a chiropractor every other week for chronic neck pain. When my
body tenses up, my neck starts to hurt. After an adjustment, it feels so
much better."
--Tara Cross-Battle, 35, volleyball, bronze medal in 1992 Olympics, 1996
and 2000 Olympics

"Massage is probably one of the best things I can do for myself. I look
at it as though it's a treat and enjoy both its relaxing and therapeutic
benefits."
--Lisa Schlenker, rowing

"When I travel with the National Team, we have a massage therapist on
staff, and I can get massaged every other day, I often decline, though,
because stretching on my own and drinking enough fluids seem to do the
trick for me. It may sound crazy, but massage can be another form of a
workout for your muscles, and after a long day, sometimes all I need is
to put them up and recover."
--Tanya Lindenmuth, 25, track cycling, 2000 Olympics

"I get acupuncture twice a week, see a chiropractor every two weeks, get
Rolfed [a form of muscle realignment] every other week and have a
massage twice a month."
--Amy Acuff, 29, high jump, 1996 and 2000 Olympics

"I always snooze during my lunch break, even if it's only for 10
minutes. I think it's a habit from Russia [her home until 1993]."
--Anna Kozlova, 31, synchronized swimming, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics

"I travel so much, when I'm home I just like relaxing with my dog, a
Chinese shar-pei named China."
--Torri Edwards, 27, sprinting, bronze medal in 2000 Olympics

"When I'm on the road, I learn French through CDs. It keeps me busy and
makes me feel like I'm continuing to educate myself."
--Kimberly Bruckner, 33, road cycling

"If I have any free time and energy, I like to in-line skate and
snowboard, but as the Olympics near, the risk of injury is too serious,
so I'm refraining. But I do still go to baseball games with girlfriends
and play my violin."
--Tina George, 25, wrestling

"I love surfing and getting spa treatments."
--Nicolle Payne, 28, water polo, silver medal in 2000 Olympics

"I love putting pictures of my 2-year-old son in an album--I do it when
I'm home for long periods. This year, that hobby will be on hold!"
--Leah O'Brien-Amico, 29, softball, gold medal in 1996 and 2000 Olympics

"I love honey and am learning about beekeeping. I'm thinking about
keeping one hive this summer with the help of a friend."
--Susan Haywood, 32, mountain biking

"I like to refurbish my house on the weekends, and I also like making
stained glass, but I don't have much time for it."
--Amy Acuff, high jump

"I'm an art major [at Auburn University], and I like to paint nature
scenes, flowers or portraits in oil or acrylics. I find painting
therapeutic--I can think while doing it. Plus, I give the paintings as
gifts."
--Maggie Bowen, 24, swimming

"I like to spend time in the hot tub. My iliotibial bands and hips get
really tight, and it helps to unwind them."
--Stacy Dragila, 33, pole vault, gold medal in 2000 Olympics

"I enjoy horseback riding. Unfortunately, I only have time to ride once
a week, but I really love it. My husband actually bought me a horse for
our 10-year wedding anniversary last year."
--Michellie Jones, 35, triathlon, 2000 Olympics

"Music tempers my athletic intensity. I was a musician long before I was
an athlete, so going without a piano is in some ways harder for me than
going without exercise. During training camps, I like to slip out
between practices and find a local piano store. Sometimes I end up
staying for hours, trying all the instruments. Once I helped close a
deal when a couple asked me to play two pianos they were considering
buying."
--Jennifer Devine, 35, rowing