This is a nice, long, informative interview with Allison - she still has her sights set on Sochi 2014, is skating BOTH short track and long track, is still struggling with the aftermath of her broken leg, and is experimenting with a vegan diet...
Olympian Allison Baver continues to make the impossible become possibleBy Sean O'Brien, Yahoo! Contributor Network / Sept 9, 2011
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Olympic Medalist Allison Baver.
She shared her life story with me, including the events that led up to her short track speed skating Bronze Medal win at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
Baver, who is the current American short track speed skating record holder in the 1500 meter and 3000 meter events and was the former short track speed skating 1000 meter record holder, also detailed the horrific skating crash that she is continuing to recover from. The February 2009 incident at the World Cup in Bulgaria caused her right leg to shatter.
"I broke my leg in the middle of my tibia, broke my fibula and ankle joint, plus my cartilage was damaged.
"Two years out from injury, I'm still rehabbing my ankle everyday. Despite my bronze medal, my focus is to comeback stronger. I am training short track, but decided to try long track and have considered skating both in 2014, if it's possible," Baver said.
Baver is continuing along her path to recovery and routinely makes the impossible become possible.
Here are some recent updates that she provided me with:
First time since VancouverWhile lifting weights, she recently maxed out for the first time since the Vancouver Olympics.
"Since the initial break, my weight training has been compromised. The progression for me since the leg atrophied initially was being able to use my own body weight double leg, then single leg and now in the skating position.
"It was a test of power improvements.
"There was not only bone pain, but also cartilage damage. So, I have not been able to use extremely heavy weight for lifting and was pushing it with serious pain the year of the Olympics. Immediately after the Olympics I had the plate removed, which prevented me from running and jumping. So, I went back to the drawing board.
"I have been starting from the bottom in many aspects of my training. My ankle would not bend enough for me to do a squat. Because extreme ankle range of motion in my sport is so important, it has remained my number 1 focus. I want to get that back and then some!
"It is a process that becomes cumulative. I was not able to do my normal training. So, I had to be creative in the weight room and in other cross training when it came to generating power without using max weights."
Tweets"I tweeted about training last week at the Philippi Sports Institute with ex-NFL player and friend Melvin Fowler, while I was at the Magic Fashion Expo as a 'Guest of Show' in Las Vegas, Nev.
"Two weeks ago, I got on the ice for the first time this year. I have actually not been training with the United States team, but instead skated with Canada during my first week back on the ice and am now with a New Zealand men's team.
"I'm just getting my on-ice conditioning back. The priority is still rehab and will be for awhile.
"I skated in Holland last season. I call it learning and absorbing. I'm coming back!"
Five-time Gold Medalist Eric HeidenWorld famous Olympian Eric Heiden, who is now a Doctor, is one of the influential people who has assisted Baver along the way.
"Dr. Eric Heiden, our team doctor and five-time gold medalist, helped me create workouts on the bike. After the surgery last year, I was working very hard in the weight room doing lunges and all leg exercises for balance, muscle function and neuromuscular reaction.
"It was a mental and physical challenge. A few months ago I could only say that I was at 30% in the weight room. Now, I'm between 60% and 70%.
"When I maxed out last week for the first time since the Olympics, I was very surprised at my improvements. I didn't feel like I was making progress, but I was able to lift more than I expected.
"It hurt a lot for a few days, but I'm not complaining. I'm counting my blessings and working hard on making a comeback in 2014."
A team that includes Terrell OwensBaver has a strong base of doctors and some very famous friends who are playing a key role in her recovery.
"I've worked with Dr. Robert Trafeli since 2007. He travels back and forth to Los Angeles, Calif., every other week for treatments, along with Dr. Ming who is an Acupuncturist.
"Mike Fratto, a REAL Salt Lake Massage therapist, is also part of my 'team' here in Salt Lake City, Utah.
"I have also traveled to Seattle, Wash., to see Dr. Lawrence Lavine (DO).
"Sports Psychologist Jane Hicks, who is also in Seattle, is my Psycho-Spiritual coach.
"United States Speed Skating's Short Track National Team had a change of therapists since the 2010 Olympics and I was forced to rehab at home in Pennsylvania last summer.
"However, most of my treatment was performed by the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., until Oct. 2010, when I had to get back on the ice in Salt Lake City.
"Since then, I have struggled to find the level of consistent rehab I need in Utah, so I pursued treatment with personal friend Terrell Owen's biomechanics specialists in Dallas, Texas. But, I was unable to continue treatment with them because of the importance of ice time in Salt Lake City.
"I was the only skater who traveled to the Olympic trials and Olympic games with my own personal massage and physical therapist, Sarah Newman, while also receiving consistent treatment from team therapist Dr. Eric St. Pierre as well. Dr. St. Pierre has his own practice now in Bolder, Colo.
"Sarah is a trainer who I have worked with for more than five years and was on the ice with me during my initial injury. She is now based in San Diego, Calif., where she works with the United States Navy.
"What we have had to do to train and perform from a rehab standpoint everyday is a grind. But, I would not be in pursuit of these high goals for the 2014 Olympics without having these amazing people around me.
"It's reassuring when you're on the climb to have a team that is the best at what they do believing in you.
"Keep your fingers crossed for me!"
New vegan dietBaver has also been experimenting with a vegan diet.
"During the last six weeks, my latest and greatest experiment is the 80/10/10 diet.
"It is the gold standard in vegan diets and is one that pro cyclist Dave Azabriski-Garmen has used.
"Most athletes are not raw vegan though. But, more are looking at the difficulty the body has in digesting animal protein.
"I gained eight pounds of muscle mass since my initial injury with the change of training and focus on rehab and single leg strength.
"I have been experimenting with different training and diet options that I've never had the guts to try before. I've had a lot of changes that have required me to do things differently. Good is never good enough.
"A cyclist friend, Evan Hyde from the real cyclist.com pro cycling team, has been teaching me some raw vegan athlete tricks. I'm also actually following the lifegenerator on YouTube, which has been totally fun.
"I have experimented this summer for six-plus weeks each with everything from the Paleo diet, a no fruit and only veggie and protein diet, a yeast-free diet, as well as just eating for my blood type. I even went as far as the rice diet, which was suggested by trainers in Bulgaria.
"I have also incorporated training techniques from other sports into my own training regimen to see how my body would react.
"Call me crazy to experiment like this, but I wanted to see how my body responded. I wanted to know what works the absolute best for me and to make sure that I leave no stone unturned for 2014. I'm not scared.
"What's that saying? 'Sometimes you have to lose to win.'," Baver concluded.[/img]
Read More:
sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ycn-9096559+++
Tags: Allison Baver / Short Track Speedskating