byJeff Benjamin
Anne Audain, photo by Jack Dog Welch
Anne Audain is a 3 time Olympian for New Zealand, gold medalist at 3000m in 1983 Commonwealth Games, silver medalist at 10,000m in 1986 Commonwealth Games. She was Nike’s first pro woman road racer, which got her a ban, which was later lifted. Anne Audain is one of the most colorful and inspirational athletes that I have ever met. Jeff Benjamin reached out to her for some ideas on how to deal with the current challenges.
Awaiting The Baton In The Relay Exchange Zone – Profiles Of Athletes, Coaches & Legends During The War Against Corona
Profile # 3
New Zealand Legend Anne Audain
By Jeff Benjamin
“As a 64 year old retired professional runner , but still running daily for my health, I have resorted back to my ” professional” daily routine for discipline and sanity.
Wake, eat a little something, have a coffee, go training ( exercise) shower, eat brunch, read, take a nap, train ( exercise) shower, eat dinner, read, TV then bedtime.
Routine is the key for mental and physical health.
To all the athletes out there especially the younger ones – Keep focused on your goals and continued workouts. Adapt to the environment we are in and adjust the workouts to it with continued communication with your coaches. Don’t allow stress and worry to take over. You can only control what you are doing yourself. This crisis will end but we are in the unknown timeline wise. Stay focused on your continued fitness”
To learn more about Anne Audain please check out her documentary at www.anneaudain.com which tells her stories of dealing with adversity, the 1980 Olympic boycott, the 15 month ban from the sport for winning prize money, and other challenges over an illustrious career.
“I had to make decisions then as to how I chose to adapt and continue to pursue my goals when things were out of my own hands,” said Audain.
Words to live by for sure.
