Julia Mancuso wins silver in downhill and super combined
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is the only American woman Olympian to win medals in three different alpine racing events: giant slalom (gold in Turin); downhill and super-combined (silver medals in Vancouver). She is a greater Olympian than Lindsey Vonn.
Julia Mancuso is bad cop to Lindsey Vonn's good cop. Or put another way, Lindsey Vonn is the wholesome, well-behaved teacher's pet, while Mancuso is the party chick who hates routine and has a problem with authority figures. Mancuso is Bode Miller, while Vonn is Daron Rahlves.
Julia, what was it like making the transition from competing on your local hill to becoming a pro?
When I first started racing world cups, it was so organized and there were banners and TV cameras everywhere. I think that was the most intimidating part, more than the competition. It was really intimidating to all of a sudden be in this perfect arena. Most of the races I grew up skiing were little races with the occasional banner here and there. Once I got to competing world cups, they were these perfect venues with tons of cameras. One of the first races I went to was one of the largest and there were over 8,000 people there.
What do you do on the tour when you are not skiing?
In a different town, or different country, there are varying degrees of entertainment and nightlife. So, in quieter towns, I'll just sit back with my friends and drink some champagne, eat a good meal and watch a movie. Other places, I'll go out and party all night if the mood is right!
What's your approach to racing? How do you get in the zone?
Julia Mancuso, Lange girl in boots and bikini
I ski as hard as I can and have as much fun out there as possible. It sounds so cliche, but my ethic is one of clearing the mind and being completely present in the moment. There's no yesterday, no tomorrow, just now.
Tell us about your workout routine.
In the summer I do a lot of weight training and I do a lot of pilates to get good body awareness. I also do a lot of biking. The cool thing about skiing is that it's such a dynamic sport that pretty much all cross-training can carry over. There is no specific way to train, you just have to be really strong. For me, the hard thing that I do is go to the gym. Everything else is just a lot of fun and it helps my skiing, so I love it.
Little Princess: Julia Mancuso surfs in a tiara
What's the toughest part of your job as a skier?
The hardest thing is traveling so much, not being at home, and living out of a suitcase. It can wear on you. I'm traveling at least seven months of the year. It's going to sound like a real tough life, but we spend a lot of time in Europe in the winter, and in the summer we chase the snow. Right now, I'm in Chile and I just got back from New Zealand. It's basically South America training in the summer and mostly Europe in the winter.
You travel the European ski tour by bus like a rock star?
My driver and cook Werner has taken big bands like Pearl Jam around on their European tour, so that's kind of cool. I love it, because I can just keep my belongings in one place and not have to pack, unpack, repack and unpack again from hotel to hotel. Anything that helps me feel at ease and at home while help me be better at my job. I have reached a level where I feel the bus is a great investment.
Julia Mancuso in training in Chile
Are you aware of being a star and celebrity.
I live by my motto Do what you love and love what you do
. Just by following that I believe great things unfold. There's a simple beauty in living this way and I think that it can translate into other people's lives. I want to inspire people to go for it, break out of that box and just charge it. I want to inspire to love and be fit, really stoke people out, persuade them to have fun moving your butt! It is so liberating when you overcome laziness go for that surf, or go on that bike ride. A life on fire, that's what I want my career to be and with more passion, comes more flame and more recognition.
Do you get along with Lindsey Vonn?
We get along great. We've been competing against each other since we were 12. Our personalities are a little bit different, but I guess opposites attract sometimes. It's cool.
What's your dream job apart from skiing?
Julia Mancuso in bikini on Hawaii
Clothing designer. I've always had that dream as a child. For the Olympics we are making some sweatshirts, and a friend and I are starting an underwear company. We are going to make some fun underwear this year. I don't feel like I have all the skills I need to be a full-on clothing designer. Right now I just sketch some things and I have to pass it along to other people because I don't know how to use all the programs. If I had more time, I would love to be better at that.
What are your hopes for the Vancouver Olympics?
I always want to win every race. Going all out is the only way to do it. Physical preparation is a fulltime job. You just have to commit and go for it.
By Ben Foster
Readers respond
Linni, Chicago Thanks for the write-up on getting in shape for older people. I am a 47 year old female. I used to run and bike alot, up to 12km running a day and 50km a week biking. I gave it up over the years, I felt so tired and just gave up.
Four years later and I am now 30 pounds overweight, flabby tummy, bulky arms, huge saggy breasts. I am about 160 pounds and 5' 3". My average weight has always been between 118 and 128 pounds. I have also been single (not even a date) for nearly 6 years now because of the way I feel about my body. I am inspired by what you write and think there might still be hope for me! Thanks.
How fast can you run a mile at 50?
If you're 50, normal weight, and untrained, you should be able to run a mile in 9 minutes. After three months of training, you should be down to 8 minutes. After six months, you should be capable of 7 mins 15 sex. After two years of serious training without injury, you should be close to six minutes.
John, Petoskey, Michigan I'm looking down both barrels of the big five-oh and having trouble seeing my feet. This coming from a guy who finished the L.A. Marathon three times in his thirties, not to mention many half-marathons and countless 10k's. After knee surgery I started making excuses and now I'm faced with battling my weight ... again. I lost 100 lbs. between the ages of 28 and 30. I'm sure I'll be challenged now more than ever, knowing I won't see the results from years ago, but I still desire them.
Tammi, Knoxville My husband has gotten fat and stayed that way. Knowing that all sex can be is having someone who flabby who weighs 120 lbs more than I do during sex makes me feel depressed about the rest of my life. I will print out this article and hope he reads it.
Malin, Tampa I am so sick of my husband. He is so boring in bed. I think he doesn't love me anymore, or he's just like that ..so tired and out of shape for six long years. I don't know what to do.
Don, Boulder Thanks for the great article. Great encouragement for me to get running again after a few years off after an injury. At 51 I hope to someday feel comfortable running 5 and 10k's, maybe even a marathon if I can be so lucky.