(Helene - running (for cake too) her 5km park run with her lovely baby bump)
Women cycling races, such as the Amstel Gold Race and upcoming Women's Tour, always remind us how strong female cyclists are. How determined they are, how hard they work for their goals and how they always had to make sacrifices in the past when it came to choose between career and family.
Times changed for sure, we are celebrating hard this year for the first women's Tour de France in 33 years. Cycling's governing body, the UCI, have announced this year's Women's World Tour calendar, with an eight-day Tour de France Femmes scheduled for 24-31 July. Is equality finally catching up in sport?
Our question remains the same though. How does one balance having family life (i.e. children) with training full-time? The not-so-long-ago held Paris-Roubaix Femmes race that was won last year by the powerful, Lizzie Deignan, is perhaps a brilliant example how a professional female cyclist can have a child and return to the racing scene (and win again and again)....but you don't actually need to be a professional athlete to know that every woman, who decides to have children, will always face this question. Funny enough, both of our Ambassadors are pregnant and expecting their first child. How brilliant is that? They are both triathletes with years of training and MANY AG World Championship races and Ironmans in their pockets. They are both doing amazingly well with their trainings, remaining active but also listening to their bodies at the same time. I thought the best way we can find out how pregnancy is changing them and their mindset towards training, was to ask them.
(Lizzy - smashing her trail run with her favourite pooch)
Helene & Lizzy have been our ambassadors since the beginning so it's exciting for us to be part of their journey into motherhood. You can check out their accounts on Instagram as well:
Helene - @hels117
Lizzy - @lizzy.tris.ironman
1. What changed and how did you feel when you found out you're pregnant?
H: It was only in the last year that I have finally felt ‘ready’ to start a family. I can’t explain what changed, but it was almost like I woke up one day and felt as though I was open to the next chapter in mine and my husband’s life! It might have been because I felt I had achieved my key ‘personal goals’, such as reaching a certain point in my career, my ultimate sporting aim of competing at an age group triathlon championship and being settled in a happy marriage. So, in that respect when I found out I was pregnant I was just incredibly happy. Obviously slightly apprehensive about what was ahead, but generally excited.
L: Despite this being something that we’d wanted, and been hoping for for some time, the excitement was, if I’m being honest, overshadowed by the fragility of the early stages of a pregnancy and being quite nervous that this amazing thing could end at any time. This thankfully eased as time went on, but I think it’s important to be honest about the mixed emotions that can arise at this time. In terms of what changed with my training, my coach and I had already backed off the intensity due to some changes in resting HR and HRV before I even had the positive test (the body is amazing!) and my coach made it clear that it was now about movement for enjoyment and sanity rather than training to a prescribed intensity.
2. Did it concern you how you are going to train or what kind of races you could do (if any)?
H: I already knew that I would need to take a step back from the intense training and racing I had been doing up until now, so had planned that in and accepted I would be taking potentially two years out from competing. Instead, my training goals have substantially shifted and now my key focus is to just keep fit and healthy throughout my pregnancy and keep doing the activities I enjoy for as long as I can – albeit at a much slower pace!
L: Whilst I’ve never competed as such, over the years training and racing has become such a huge part of what I do. But like Hels, I felt I’d ticked a lot of the boxes I wanted to, whilst also being aware I’d never be “done”, there’d always be something else to aim for. I’d seen several of my friends have babies and make amazing returns to what we love to do, so that was inspiring too. Ultimately there is much more to life than sport! It can be a big part, but it’ll be amazing to share that with the little one when they arrive.
3. Changes you made towards training
H: I think there has sadly been a historical culture that continuing to exercise whilst pregnant is unhealthy for both the expectant mother and their baby. But it really is not the case, and it is encouraged by health professionals, who have said to me that the more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain, plus help you cope with labour.
I was worried I would lose my sense of identity and purpose if I stopped doing triathlons to the level I was, but, having seen some inspirational active mums and mums-to-be juggle babies and training I have become more accepting of the situation. I can now see that having a baby isn’t a hard and fast roadblock, you will just have to adapt, and swim-bike-run can continue but in a slightly different way in the future – and with a little cute cheerleader!
During pregnancy it really is still possible to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, there are just a few things you need to be aware of including managing intensity, being well hydrated, avoiding overheating, being mindful of more laxity in joints and adaptations needed to core work. Some useful resources are:
L: For me, it was about finding out what I could still do safely. And this was no easy task! I’m an Exercise Physiologist who is very used to looking up scientific literature and evidence, but the guidance for exercising in pregnancy was not easy to dig out! I was keen to maintain my routine, whilst honouring the changes my body was going through. I’ve been so amazed at what my body has been able to do whilst growing and sustaining another human life. I haven’t set any real limitations on myself as such, and have just listened to my body, seeing what it fancies giving on each session. Sometimes this has been a bit of intensity, other times this has been living life in the slow lane. In the early days, when I was struggling with nausea, I found a bit of movement and exercise generally always helped. With the exception of doing back stroke- that always made it worse!
4. What changes have you made to eating (balancing life generally)
H: With regards to food, except for a few nauseous weeks during my first trimester, I have been just trying to stick my healthy diet and incorporating a mix of different fruits and vegetables to get in lots of vitamins and minerals, plus ensuring I am eating sufficient protein. I had a healthy diet before becoming pregnant, so I haven’t found this element too difficult – now I am in the second trimester anyway! Being vegan, it is also easy to ensure I am not eating any of the foods that are recommended to stay clear of. I am also not a heavy caffeine or alcohol drinker, so haven’t had any withdrawal symptoms!!
L: I had lots of food aversions in the first trimester, and my diet basically turned on its head! I didn’t beat myself up, it was what I needed to do to manage the sickness. Once I came out the other side of this, I checked in with a Registered Nutritionist, Danny Webber (SENr) to ensure I was fuelling my body the best I could. I’d worked with Danny before, and it’s been so valuable to have him to check in with ahead of big training days and events I’ve been doing whilst pregnant.
5. Is there anything you enjoy or appreciate more now than before (before you were pregnant)
H: Having been through about 6 weeks of constant nausea, fatigue and generally just feeling pretty rubbish, which meant I was unable to exercise, it has really made me appreciate how good exercise makes you feel. For me, exercise is my escape from the world – no matter how well or badly a day has gone, I can switch off and just focus on either the session or my surroundings which is invaluable – a massive stress reliever. So, during those 6 weeks I didn’t just have a physical impact but also a mental one too. Therefore, it really has made me even more grateful of still having the opportunity to continue to get out and do some form of physical activity, even if it isn’t to the extent it used to be.
L: I have a huge appreciation for how much my body is capable of now more than ever. If I’d listened to Dr Google, I’d have hung up my trainers, put away the turbo trainer, skipped my squad swim sessions and wouldn’t have signed up for any events whilst pregnant. Instead, I took each day as it came, appreciating every session for whatever it was and that has paid off hugely. Of course, I’m slowing down, of course there are days I take as a rest day when I wouldn’t have before but ultimately the greatest thing for me has been how much we’re still capable of during this stage of our lives!
.
.
I really enjoyed reading Helene and Lizzy's experience and approach to this very exciting stage of their lives. There are always many women who would like to know more about this but wouldn't know where to turn to or who to ask. We hope it provided some reassurance and food for thought. Until the next time, don't forget
There is only one rule and that is your rule!
Comments