Tejcek Duo Trained for The Amazing Race Season 39
A mother-daughter team prepared for extreme competition with a rigorous, endurance-focused fitness program.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Running
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Riley and Ann-Marie Tejcek, a mother-daughter duo from California, competed as Team Lavender on Season 39 of The Amazing Race. To prepare for the physical demands of the show, they implemented a training plan designed to improve their endurance and strength.
Why it matters
The pair aimed to become the first mother-daughter duo to win the program, highlighting the intensity of preparation required for reality-based endurance competitions. Their participation necessitated significant life adjustments, including postponing personal milestones.
Participation occurred during Season 39, which follows 38 preceding seasons of the competition. The athletes prepared for the physical rigor of the show through documented training protocols, though success metrics remain unpublished.
The players
Riley Tejcek
A United States Marine, former Team USA bobsled captain, and author who designed the training plan for her team.
Ann-Marie Tejcek
A vice president at a health care company who trained with her daughter to compete in the show.
The details
Riley Tejcek designed a specialized physical training regimen for her mother, Ann-Marie, centered on cardiovascular endurance and functional strength. This program included consistent three-mile runs, high-intensity sprints, and training with weighted backpacks to simulate the exertion required during the competition. The participants were required to maintain this level of conditioning despite the inability to access personal communication devices during the race.
Timeline
Season 39: Riley and Ann-Marie Tejcek competed on The Amazing Race.
Health Landscape
The participation of the Tejcek team represents the latest iteration of Season 39 in a franchise spanning 38 prior seasons. It highlights the evolving trend of using systematic, structured athletic training to prepare for non-traditional endurance events.
If you are planning to increase your activity levels through weighted walking or sprint work, it is important to build intensity gradually to avoid injury. Discuss your specific exercise goals and any new, strenuous workout plans with your doctor to ensure they are safe for your fitness level.
The takeaway
Successful endurance training often relies on a consistent, periodized plan that builds both cardiovascular capacity and functional strength. Always consult with a physician before initiating a new high-intensity training regimen to evaluate your individual cardiac and musculoskeletal health.
Further reading
For more on building endurance and training for long-distance efforts, visit our section on Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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