Dancer Meets Triathlete: Oscar Week! When Oscar-nominated Natalie Portman was training for her role in
Black Swan she studied with the New York City Ballet five hours a day for six months. For cross-training, she also swam.
With the strength and agility required for Black Swan, I bet Portman would make a solid triathlete.
Let's compare:
*(D) Dancer, (T) Triathlete
Training schedule: (D) Obsessive, (T) Obsessive
Clothing: (D) Leotard, (T) Trisuit
Modesty suggests: (D) Black tights, (T) Black tri shorts
Performance enhancer: (D) Leg warmers, (T) Compression socks
Underlayers: (D) Commando, (T) Commando
Quick costume changes required: (D) Offstage, (T) Transition tent or on the fly
Wear and tear: (D) Bloody toes, chafing, blisters, (T) Fin bites, saddle sores, raw heels
Covers the butt: (D) Tutu, (T) Sparkle skirt, running skirt, transition skirt
Crowns: (D) Tiara, headpiece, feathers, (T) Swim cap, bike helmet, world championship crown
Hairstyle: (D) Bun, (T) Two braids
Segments: (D) Intermission, (T) Transition
In charge: (D) Director, (T) Coach
Shoes: (D) Tap, jazz, ballet and pointe, (T) Bike, run or tri
Laces: (D) Satin, elastic, (T) Speed
Bag: (D) Duffel, (T) Tri backpack
TMI: (D) Shaves more than general population, (T) ditto
In peak form: (D) Mesmerizing, (T) Effortless
Venues: (D) Talent show to Broadway stage, (T) Indoor, traditional, off-road and winter
Footwork: (D) Beautiful feet, (T) Born to run
Race preparation: (D) Dress rehearsal, (T) On site walk-through
Begins: (D) Curtain opens, (T) Cannon fires
Audience, spectators appreciate: (D) Gorgeous lines, (T) People watching
Concludes: (D) Nailing the finish, (T) Sprinting across the finish line
Post-finish: (D) Encore, (T) Sign up for another tri!
Questions for You:
- Is Portman a triathlete?
- What elite triathletes have dance backgrounds?
- How has dance helped your skills as a triathlete?
- What did I miss?
And finally, "Who's dancing? Come on, who's dancing? Want me to get it started?"
-- Elaine Benes youtube clip
pictures:
- free media download from Black Swan,
- me in a tutu and
- me in my tri suit & sparkle skirt after a local triathlon.
