Monday, September 12, 2011

Lunch Date with Apolo Anton Ohno and his trainer Todd Rushworth

I'm not much of a sports fanatic. And honestly, I am cringing at the start here of football season (is it over yet?), but every once in awhile, I can name off an athlete or two that actually interests me, that I will take the time out to watch perform. And if you add into that the Winter Olympics, then you're pretty much Gold (get it? Gold? Like the medals?....yeah, I'm not too funny).

Apolo Anton Ohno has been a favorite Olympian of mine for awhile now. I remember in 2010 setting my DVR and scheduling my day around when he would race in numerous speed skating events. I remember being saddened by his last race of the Olympics, knowing that no other event for the remainder of the games would be able to hold a candle to those races. I remember wondering if I'd be just as interested in 2014 when he raced again, if he raced again.

Time went on, Apolo slipped from my mind, then his appearance (and WIN) on Dancing with the Stars happened, and being the avid Project Runway fan that I am, I even caught him as a guest judge on there as well.

Needless to say, Apolo is one of the few athletes I truly appreciated and went out of my way to keep track of and when I got an invite not too long ago to attend an "Eat and Greet" with Apolo, courtesy of Subway (Apolo is one of Subway's Famous Fans).....well, you can only guess how excited I was!


Apolo was in town this weekend to run the Chicago 1/2 marathon on 9/11. He accepted a challenge from The Subway guy, Jared, to run the New York City Marathon (which takes pace in November 2011). The race here in Chicago, was an important part of his rigorous and strict timeline, to prepare him for November, set up by his trainer, Todd Rushworth.

And Todd has had his work cut-out for him! Apolo is an amazing athlete, but all of the training he has endured over the years had had to be fine-tuned precisely to his body and the sport he is training for at the time. From short track speed skating, to ballroom dancing, and now marathon running, Apolo's muscles work and stretch and strain different ways, meaning Todd has to know exactly what to do to work exactly what needs to be worked in order to excel. Todd is an extremely successful trainer, once working with professional football players and boxers, so he knows his stuff!

The event was intimate and laid-back (seriously, there were only about EIGHT bloggers in attendance!). We were served Apolo and Todd's favorite Subway sandwiches and chatted about the training Apolo has been doing lately, as well as how he stays fit and eats healthy. We obviously talked about Subway, and the visions Apolo has to help create more gluten-free items for the menu. We talked about how Apolo got involved in the sports he did as a child, and how his father pushed him (HARD!) to excel in speed skating. His father saw the raw talent that Apolo had within him, and that pushing is what got him to where he is today. A valuable piece of advice for me, as a Mom of a young athlete; to know when TO and when NOT to push!


Apolo is a down-to-earth, laid back kind of guy. Was willing to pose for pictures and autographs for us all. I took Jonah with me, but he was shy as could be, hiding behind me and chairs the whole time. Apolo and Todd both tried their best to get Jonah to break out of his shell, but he wasn't having it! LOL Luckily, we got a quick photo with Apolo, not just for me, but because in a few years, when/if Apolo skates in the 2014 Olympics, I wanted Jonah to be able to look back and recall this moment; and I know I will! Jonah even drew a picture the night before for Apolo, which Apolo loved and took home with him.


Apolo did well in the marathon, with a time of 1:40:59. You guessed it, I have no idea if that is good or not, but after meeting Apolo and Todd, I am positive it can only be a fantastic result. I can't wait to hear more of his training and follow his progress as his runs the New York City Marathon. I'm keeping tabs on the guys by following Apolo and Todd on Twitter, as well as Todd's Training LA facebook page too.

And as for the 2014 Olympics, when I asked Apolo one-on-one if we'd see him in Russia in 2014, he said "We'll see." So there you have it, I have to wait to find out if I will be setting DVR's and stealing the TV from the kiddos just to watch his races. I hope he doesn't hang up his skates just yet, because after meeting him, I can tell, there isn't a task he can't handle.


Good luck Apolo, in whatever you do. I'm positive you will succeed.

WIN IT!

Subway would like to give one Mommy Instincts reader the chance to win a $25 Subway Gift Card! As your mandatory entry, please leave a comment telling me what your favorite subway sandwich is!

WANT EXTRA ENTRIES?
~ Follow "Mommy Instincts" via Google Friend Connect (on right hand side bar)
~ "Like" Mommy Instincts on Facebook
~ "Like" Subway on Facebook
~ Follow Mommy Instincts on Twitter
~ Follow Subway on Twitter
~ Follow Apolo Anton Ohno on Twitter
~ Follow Todd Rushworth on  Twitter
~ Tweet this!! Send out this tweet, letting other know about this giveaway. Be sure to leave the link to your tweet along with your comment. This can be done once a day!


Read abt @ApoloOhno, @trtla & #Win a $25 Subway gift card from @subwayfreshbuzz at @MommyInstincts! ends 9/23 #giveaway tinyurl.com/6lcx52t

Fine print:
~There is a total of 19 entries available per person for this particular contest. Please be sure to leave a comment for EACH entry and be sure to complete the MANDATORY entry first.
~Contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, but you MUST make sure there is a way for me to contact you easily available. If I can't contact you, then you can't win!

~Contest ends Friday September 23, 2011 at 11:59pm.
~Winner will be emailed and given 48 hours from initial congratulatory email to respond. If winner does not respond within that time a frame and new winner can be chosen and original winner forfeits prize.~Winner must be USA only.
~Subway gave a small group of bloggers the chance to sit down and chat with Apolo Ohno and Todd Rushworth at a Subway location in downtown Chicago. We were provided lunch and a $25 Subway gift card in exchange for a write-up on the event.
~In respect of full disclosure, regardless of compensation or products provided, you can rest assured you will always get an honest review from Mommy Instincts. All thoughts and words are my own.

41 comments:

Roman Pylypec said...

Spicy italian

Nicole F. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicole F. said...

Italian BLT...also I like Subway and Mommy Instincts on Facebook and follow Mommy Instincts, Subway, Apolo Ohno, and Todd Rushworth on Twitter!

Liam Colum said...

Oven Roasted Chicken with Chopotle Sauce!

janthetali said...

Chicken Breast

Lisa Noel said...

we love subway. i love the chicken breast

Catherine said...

tuna's my fav

Blair Benefield said...

Tuscan chicken!! (throwback!)

SHelbie Patterson said...

My favorite Subway sandwich is DEFINITELY the sweet onion chicken teriyaki. Paired up with wheat and every vegetable, besides jalepenos, you've got a killer sandwich! Not too bad on the calories, either.

Ascending Butterfly said...

I haven't had a bad one yet, I like chicken teriyaki, the BLT and I will be trying the oven roasted chicken during my next visit!

MelC813 said...

oooh, tough decision, but I like buffalo chicken. I haven't tried the new oven baked chicken one though. By the way, super cute story, Mommy Instincts! And 1:40 in a marathon in REALLY good!

Vicki said...

Seafood on wheat.

Allie said...

Turkey on wheat but for a little spice i add oregano with chipotle southwest sauce! add some veggies and you're good to go :)

sgumer said...

my favorite sandwich is the buffalo chicken on flatbread

Melissa Slocum, M. Ed. said...

Buffalo Chicken

Linda said...

I like the Chicken Bacon Ranch

Linda said...

I like Subway on Facebook
Linda Finger

Linda said...

follow Subway on Twitter
ctsweeper

Cassandra said...

Spicy italian

Barbara Montag said...

Favorite - Subway Club!
Everything on it.
Thank you.
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

Barbara Montag said...

Follow you - Google Friend Connect - Barbara Montag
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

Barbara Montag said...

Like you on Facebook - Barbara Montag
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

Barbara Montag said...

Like Subway on Facebook -
Barbara Montag

Barbara Montag said...

I follow you on Twitter @JalapenoMama

Barbara Montag said...

Follow Subway on Twitter @JalapenoMama

Barbara Montag said...

Follow Apolo Anton Ohno on Twitter @JalapenoMama

Barbara Montag said...

Follow Todd Rushworth on Twitter @JalapenoMama

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/114559900306243584

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/114655765435912192

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/115020922087411712

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/115436907927834624

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/115734368361783296

Jane Wray said...

Subway melt...the toasted bread, bacon, meats and cheeses all melted together is just awesome!

*DEBRA* @QaL8c1 said...

Turkey on wheat w/ mozerella, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, vinegar, and my fave...avocado! Not sure how they can fit all of that yummy goodness into a 6" sub...MAGIC!

*DEBRA* @QaL8c1 said...

Turkey on wheat w/ mozerella, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, vinegar, and my fave...avocado! Not sure how they can fit all of that yummy goodness into a 6" sub...MAGIC!

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/116291746442391552

*DEBRA* QaL8c1 said...

Turkey on wheat w/ mozerella, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, vinegar, and my fave...avocado! Not sure how they can fit all of that yummy goodness into a 6" sub...MAGIC!

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/116521069367660544

*DEBRA* @QaL8c1 said...

Turkey on wheat w/ mozerella, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, vinegar, and my fave...avocado! Not sure how they can fit all of that yummy goodness into a 6" sub...MAGIC!

Barbara Montag said...

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/JalapenoMama/status/116883426036031488

*DEBRA* @QaL8c1 said...

Turkey on wheat w/ mozerella, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, vinegar, and my fave...avocado! Not sure how they can fit all of that yummy goodness into a 6" sub...MAGIC!