The
fact that I am part of XC Ottawa made it easy to decide to stay in
shape by using ski training based methods. I found it motivating to
participate in team activities to the extent that I could. It was
combination of habit, the opportunity to interact socially and otherwise
with the team, and the fact that there was an opportunity to combine
staying in shape with helping out where I could with XC Ottawa by doing
some organizing, coaching, and mentoring.
I
wanted to maintain my general fitness as much as reasonably possible
during the pregnancy. Now, I would like to get back to a similar level
of fitness that I had before being pregnant. I am trying to keep my
skiing goals realistic with the emphasis on having fun and feeling like I
can enjoy the competitions that I enter.
3. What were your favourite ways to exercise while you were pregnant?
My
favourite ways to exercise during my pregnancy were ski walking, skate
skiing, and skate rollerskiing. These activities felt good the whole way
through. I also did some road bike riding earlier on, and classic
skiing felt reasonably good when I got to to the point that all I could
do was really walk on skis. I did light strength training a couple of
times a week when Karl went so that I could tell him to lift more
weight.
4. What kind of adjustments did you make as the pregnancy progressed?
I
gradually slowed down, took more breaks when I went out, and did less
overall. I trusted my instincts and tried to make sure that none of my
workouts took me past a point where I felt good. I also made sure to be
well-fueled for my workouts (which should really be called "exercise"
rather than "workouts"!).
5. What would you say are some of your favourite modes of exercise now that you also have to look after a 7 month old?
I like to get to the XC Ottawa team workouts a couple of times a week. Karl's mom (Dianne Thurber) has been very nice in offering to babysit very frequently, both at our house and at hers. On Wednesday nights,
she also manages to cook us dinner, so I am really spoiled in that
regard. I also squeeze in shorter workouts (like trail running and road
biking) from the house while Leena is napping and Karl is working at
home. As for training with Leena, I often box bike around Chelsea, run
with an old Chariot kindly lent to us by Sheila Kealey, and do strength
circuits in the backyard with Leena close at hand.
4. You have been spotted in Chelsea and beyond on several occasions
riding something called a box bike (mentioned above). Can you tell us about it?
The
box bike is something that is popular in the Netherlands. It is a fun
way to transport your kids. They can be as young as about 3 months old because it is designed to attach a car seat. It has a bench and
seatbelts for when they get older, and it is fun because you can see
your kids while you ride. The box bike can hold as much as 200lbs, so
you can easily transport your kids and your groceries, which I do about
once a week in Chelsea. It is not light! But I guess that makes for a
better workout, especially on the climbs. Taking Leena to the beach, for example, is actually a significant amount of training.
7.
What other methods of hauling your kid around (for exercise or other
reasons) do you like to employ? Which would you say are your daughter's
favourites? Do you have any useful tips for others in this situation?
Well,
the problem is that there are alot of them, and if you go on a trip you
have a hard time getting them all in your car. I will try to list them:
Chariot - for running and walking on rough surfaces. Will use next
summer for biking as well. Fold-up stroller (Moutain Buggy Nano) - for
walking around in town and travelling. Kinderpack front carrier - for
napping while walking in the woods. Backpack with frame (Osprey
something or other....gift from the ski team) - for more serious hiking.
Ski pulk (Baby Glider...another great thing Sheila lent us) - for
skiing, of course. Car seat - for use in box bike and car. Box bike.
5. Can you comment on any aspect of exercising either while pregnant or recovering that you found particularly challenging?
5. Can you comment on any aspect of exercising either while pregnant or recovering that you found particularly challenging?
Often,
my brain told me that I could do more than was really realistic for my
body at the time. I think I did a reasonably good job of listening to my
body and backing off when it told me to, but I can't pretend that I
didn't find it frustrating to have to do less training (or "exercise")
and at slower paces than I was used to. When I started back with more
normal ski training this spring, on several occasions I got myself
temporarily overtired because I just forgot that I have to take things
gradually, and that for the time being, I am simply not as fit as I was
before. Frequently interrupted sleep, and all the rest that comes with
looking after a baby don't exactly contribute to ideal recovery either.
6. After your daughter arrived, what
methods did you use to try to maintain a balance between looking after
her and keeping yourself in a good mood and in good health?
I
try to get out of the house to do some kind of exercise early on in the
day every day. Sometimes this could be classified as ski training. On
other days it is just going for a walk because it feels good or riding
my bike to the grocery store. I try to get some kind of a nap in at
least once every two days. Finally, I try not to forget to eat lots of
healthy food. I definitely feel like I need more calories than normal. I
deliberately don't weigh myself often because I figure that will take
care of itself with a healthy amount of exercise and good food.
7. Has your husband been of any use at all in this process.
Karl teaches her French, pushes her quite a bit in the Chariot, does his best to teach her to like being outside and generally helps out where he can. He is, however, about the slowest diaper changer I have ever met.
8.
Last year you were seen out and about at several high-level ski events
with your daughter. Can you tell us what you were doing there and
whether or not it was fun?
Well, mainly I was watching the races, cheering on my teammates, and helping
out where I could with things like feeds etc. It was a lot of fun to
get out of the house, to socialize trail-side, and to introduce our
daughter to all our friends in the ski community.
10. What races do you expect to be doing this winter?
We
will be in Finland from September to December, so I am sure we will
find a race or two to do there. I plan to do the classic 50k at the
Gatineau Loppet. I also would guess that I will be at the Eastern
Canadians Nor Ams and the Canadian Nationals. I am pretty sure there
will be some other races as well, but I just don't know exaclty what
yet.
Thanks Megan!
Interesting Reading. . .
"Sustaining People in Motion"