Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You became a heptathlete at the University of Nebraska which you left as the best heptathlete in school history with two school records. Tell us more about your spectacular journey and how it all began?
Ms. Chantae McMillan:
I was recruited across the country out of high school as a long and triple jumper. Then, shortly after I chose to compete at the University of Nebraska, I sprained my ankle triple jumping, which required surgery to fix. After that, I never wanted to triple jump again so I started the heptathlon! One of the best decisions of my life! I had great coaches teach me about what the heptathlon was and coach me to become better and better every year in college.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You gave the performance of a lifetime at the 2012 Olympic Trials where you set personal bests in five of the seven events (100m hurdles, 200m, shot put, javelin, 800m) to finish third and secure the needed Olympic A standard. How did you feel after this incredible victory?
Ms. Chantae McMillan:
Competing at the Olympic trials, giving my all to make the team, while doing my best ever in so many events is unforgettable. It was more gratifying coming off of the patellar tendon injury. My physical therapist and my coach were amazing through this journey. We were all so focused on making the team. So after making the team, I could look back and really know how hard of a process it was and be thankful for reaching the ultimate goal!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in the life of a track and field athlete, preparing for the Olympic Games.
Ms. Chantae McMillan:
I look at life, as people should always wake up with a purpose. When you are training for the Olympics, everything through your day is done purposefully, working towards the final goal. My day is scheduled around my training, which can be from 2-6 hours each day. My biggest concern daily is making sure I am eating every few hours to fuel my workouts. After workouts, I make time for recovery, such as massage, chiropractor, icing, and eating the correct foods/supplements so that I can wake up and be ready to excel at practice again. It becomes hard to balance other aspects of your life because of how selfish you can become training for something so important that only comes around every 4 years.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may like to share?
Ms. Chantae McMillan:
My favorite workouts that I like to share with people are cardio work and abdominal work. I always encourage people that work out to implement short sprints into their weekly workouts. From all out 40m sprints with short recovery, to running repeat hills 20 times! I believe that short burst like these will benefit people better for weight loss and healthy lifestyle, compared to long runs. I encourage everyone to find abdominal routines that challenge you because core strength is something we need and will always need as we grow old. Exercises where you hang and bring your knees to chest or feet to hands are some of my favorite!
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