Corey Nielsen Nielsen, a 35-year-old Durango resident, has a broad kayaking résumé, including:
* Eighth-place finish in the 1996 U.S. Olympic trials in whitewater slalom.
* Bronze medalist, 1996 U.S. national championships
* Seventh place, Eco-Challenge Fiji, with Team Spectrum Access (Vail-based adventure racing team)
* First place, 2003 Adventure X-treme Adventure Race Series, western U.S.
* Head coach, 1996 Panama Olympic team.
What is your best training technique?
Cross-training. Always changing it up between the gym, the hills and the river. I do this biathlon here where I trail run or mountain bike from the bottom of town through the hills to my house, where I then get in my boat and sprint back through town. It just keeps it interesting.
What is your worst injury?
Torn MCL after a fall snowboarding in 48 inches of fresh powder in Tahoe, three weeks before a big adventure race in India. But with awesome physical therapy, I was back in time and we placed third.
Most frightening moment?
My first Olympic trials (1996). The air was so thick with anxiety from all of the athletes, I nearly had a panic attack at the start line.
How do you push through mental fatigue?
Train harder mentally and physically than any race you will ever encounter, and the rest is easy.
What is the sickest thing you have ever seen?
Witnessing the 1996 Olympics from inside (as a fully credentialed coach). The athletes, the Olympic Village and the media were absurd, but incredible.
Whom do you admire most?
The young adults who have survived cancer at First Descents (a kayaking camp for kids with cancer) that show up, put on a game face and show me what truly is important in life – to live.
What music revs you up for paddling?
If it is a fast and painful workout – Kid Rock/Limp Bizkit. If it is long endurance – Neil Diamond.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
Know whether you are an athlete who excels at good physical training (therefore train your head to race), or know that you are an athlete who excels at racing (and therefore train harder than most physically).
