Trials Time

I can’t believe Olympic Trials are less than two weeks away! Years of training and it's almost here!!!

Currently I’m tapering (for those of you who might not know - tapering is when you cut back on exercise to let your body recouperate before a big meet) so I still have practices but not twice daily like usual and being honest, the extra time has been really nice.

As a mom and wife it gives me more time to keep my home life organized, spend time with my family and have a little “me” time (so rare!).  I wake up, train, come home, have breakfast with my boys, do chores around the house like dishes and laundry (I feel like I’m constantly cleaning my swimsuits – seriously thank goodness for my Maytag washer and dryer – I think I've used them more in three months than most people would in three years!) and then the rest of the day is open for Blaise’s swim lessons and my business meetings.

If I make the team at trials I’ll be away at camp and then off to London so I'm really happy to hang out with my boys as much as I can right now. The time leading up to trials is always a bit like a roller coaster – I love it and just roll with it but some phases are easier than others. Being away from your child, your husband and your life for extended periods is never easy no matter what the circumstances are.

I’d love to hear how other moms do it!

Cover Shot

Thanks for putting me on the cover Scottsdale Health!

Speed & Efficiency

As a mom, wife and professional athlete my days consist of managing all kinds of activities. My schedule really demands organization and efficiency and the last thing I need or want to spend extra time on is my laundry. Luckily one of my sponsors, Maytag, was kind enough to send me a new Bravos XL high efficiency washer and dryer and let me say this … WA-WA-WEE-WA! After doing one load I couldn’t help but think about the many hours wasted using old equipment from a substandard brand. I used to constantly wash my son Blaise’s clothes over and over and apply all kinds of stain removers because spots and dirt (and unidentifiable stuff) just wouldn’t come out; My dryer never got hot enough to get the job done in one round so typically I’d try to multi-task around the house for hours waiting for everything to dry. Now, everything comes out clean and dry in a single cycle! (If I weren’t already married, I’d consider being the first to wed an appliance.)

Cleanliness aside, I think one of the most important features of the Bravos XL washer is that it gives me the option to use a cold wash cycle while providing the same cleaning performance as a warm wash cycle. It uses less energy and far less water. Win-win for the environment and me!

While my husband Sacha appreciates having clean clothes and being green, he’s much happier with the new washer and dryer because they are really, really ridiculously quiet. His office is situated right next to the laundry room and while it used to sound like knights jousting, he now hears nothing when I run a load or two. (He wants me to add that their sports-car-like appearance doesn’t hurt and almost makes him want to do the laundry … Maytag, I think you’re on to something here.)

Rain Damage

My house is being repaired due to a leaky roof and I can't decide if I'm living on the set of Dexter or E.T.

Mom's Day and More

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!!! I know I did thanks to my boys ... they took care of me all day! We went to brunch and then headed over to our friends house for an early Mom's Day dinner. I can't believe it's only Wednesday and what a busy week so far. Between training, Blaise's school events and helping family move into town, I almost feel like it should be Friday!

X-Training Secret

Table tennis anyone?

I'm half joking and half not. If you and your opponent are competitive, the amount of sweat you will give up during 30 minutes of Ping-Pong is really impressive!

Back In the Water

I'm finally back on the blog after a few weeks on tour with my book and a few weeks of solid training! I have to say it feels great to be home with my son and husband and work out again but I sure do miss some of the amazing people I met on the road. Some of the very personal stories people shared with me about their own lives, about their own struggles, were so touching and I will never forget them! Sincere thanks to the many who have supported this book and the positive messages it carries!!!

Access Amanda

New York Times Best Seller

It's official! My book made the New York Times Best Seller list! Thanks to all of you who made this happen - from my publisher to my fans - I couldn't have done it without you!

A.M. Radio

E!

Hmmm, I wonder what kind of trouble can I get into at E! Entertainment? Check back and find out!

And My Favorite Host Is

Who doesn't love Billy Bush?