Katherine Reutter-Adamek is an American short track speed skater. She is a two-time medalist (one silver, one bronze) in the Winter Olympics, 2011 overall world silver medalist and the 2010–2011 overall ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup champion.
At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Reutter won silver in the 1000 m and bronze in the 3000 m relay. She has won one gold, two silvers, and four bronze medals at the World Championships, including overall silver medal at the 2011 World Championships. She has also won two bronze medal at the World Team Championships.
Hear it from the U.S. Olympic short track skater Katherine Reutter-Adamek herself, about her preparation for the Winter Olympics 2018, in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You first started speed skating professionally in 2005 at the age of 17 and reached the pinnacle of success by becoming the First American woman to win both an individual (1500m and 1000m) and overall World Cup title. Walk us through this spectacular journey and tell us how it all began?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
I learned how to skate with my Mom and the University of IL ice rink. After some time as a figure skater my family and I realized that I loved going fast and speedskating was a better fit. My Dad was my coach for the majority of my adolescence. When I was 17 I qualified to skate for the Olympic Education Center in Marquette, MI. After 2 years I qualified to train with the National Team in Salt Lake City, UT. Learning from my coaches and teammates pushed me to work harder than I thought was possible. I stayed positive and refused to give up no matter how hard the training was. Eventually that hard work paid off in a World Cup Title.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life, preparing for the Olympics.
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
Up at 6:30, at the rink by 7:10, on ice from 8-10, cool down until 10:30, back at the rink at 2:30, lift, bike, run or dryland training until 5. In between my sessions I usually see my physical therapist, chiropractor, psychologist, massage therapist, or Pilates instructor.
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
The exercise that has made the biggest different this year has been Pilates. Almost 100% of my back pain has been resolved from Pilates and my core control on the ice has really improved my skating.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
I alter my diet based on my goals. Sometimes I need more protein to recover fully, more carbs to fuel an intense workout, or more fat to feel full on days when I don’t need as much carb/protein. I use myfitnesspal to keep track of the macro and micronutrients I need in order to perform my best.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your haircare and skincare routine.
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
I don’t have much of a routine because taking care of my body, sleeping, and nutrition are my highest priority right now.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding short track speed skaters who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
Race bigger and better skaters than you. I never learned much from racing skaters I could beat. I learned how to train, race, and push myself by racing kids who were better than me. Sometimes it can be hard to feel like you’re always behind, but that’s what makes the journey of learning so much more fun.
Video
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
My high school coach, Mike McDonnell. He was the first one who ever taught me about mental toughness. He’s become a great friend and gives me the advice I need to hear even to this day.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In 2013, due to constant injuries, you announced your retirement at the age of 24. What made you take this huge decision? How did life change after that?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
In 2013 I had been dealing with almost constant injury since late 2009. My physical, mental, and emotional capacity to deal with pain was completely exhausted. After yet another set back in 2013 I decided that I couldn’t take it anymore.
I moved to Milwaukee to coach at the Pettit National Ice Center.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In mid-2016, you announced your return to competition with the goal of competing in the 2018 Olympics. How has your preparation been going so far?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
Preparing for 2018 has not gone at all as expected. I underestimated how hard it would be to get back into top physical shape. I also had a lot to learn about training a 28~29 year old body as opposed to a 20~21 year old body. A concussion in Jan 2017 also kept me off the ice for 5 months and was a huge set back in my preparation.
What has helped my preparation the most was choosing to stay in Milwaukee to train with the team I had built at the Pettit National Ice Center. The coach who replaced me, Hongyang Wang, is the best coach I could have asked for and has helped me through every high and low perfectly.
Video
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
While playing professional sports, athletes often face injuries and other difficulties, would you like to tell the audience about how to cope up and make a comeback after an injury?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
The hardest thing for me to learn to cope with was the anxiety of not knowing what was going to happen. During injury it’s easy to worry that you may never get back to normal or back to feeling healthy. The anxiety of the unknown was more stressful than the injury itself. My advice would be to realize that nothing lasts forever. You have the ability to be patient and to challenge yourself to live in this moment instead of stressing over future moments that may or may not ever happen.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With a massive following who look upto you and follow you, how does it feel that you are able to influence and inspire the healthy lifestyle of so many individuals?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
I hope that anyone who looks up to me realizes that they can accomplish all of their goals through effort. I appreciate that I can share this message, but what’s even more important is for others to take it to heart and to find ways to challenge themselves and persevere through hard times in pursuit of their goals.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Ms. Katherine Reutter-Adamek:
At our core all women are strong and beautiful. Taking the time to prioritize your health however does not come naturally to many of us. Womenfitness.net is a great resource to educate and inspire women.
Follow her on:
- https://twitter.com/katreutter
- http://www.katherinereutter.us/
- https://www.instagram.com/katreutter_adamek/
Video
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness.