Chasing Goals, Raising Kids
March is Women's History Month. As we celebrate women throughout the month and celebrate International Women's Day, we want to celebrate something that far too many women believe they can't do—be both a mom and an athlete.
For most of my life, I've been an athlete. I spent my childhood and most of my 20s as a competitive figure skater. But when I stopped skating, I felt this strange void. I couldn’t quite figure out how to fill it. It wasn’t until my late 20s that I discovered running, and suddenly, that empty space was filled. I realized I needed some kind of athletic activity to feel like myself again.
Finding running at nearly 30 was a bit of a funny coincidence because just a couple of years later, at 32, I became a mom to my daughter. And then, three years later, at the "advanced maternal age" (haha) of 35, I had my son.
After my daughter was born, I realized I needed a coach and wanted to take my running to the next level—beyond the occasional 5K and into half marathons. Running has never come easily or naturally to me, which is probably why I love the challenge so much.
Throughout the different stages of motherhood, running looked a little different. There were lots of walk/runs and plenty of stroller recovery runs. But what a win for both me and the kids! We got to spend time together, doing something I love, while they got to explore the neighborhoods, bike trails, and breathe in the fresh air. We did stroller runs for years—and I still occasionally take my 45lb five-year-old out for one because he still loves it!
Juggling motherhood and a sport is definitely a balancing act. There are days when you might find yourself hopping on the bike at 8pm after the kids are tucked into bed, or squeezing in a long run on a Sunday morning before anyone else is awake. Right now, my bike is set up on the trainer in our playroom, surrounded by legos. I ride, they build.
Moms absolutely deserve to take care of themselves—and to do the things they love. Now that my kids are a little older, they even come to some of my bigger races, armed with posters and ready to be part of the cheer squad. Including them in the training process is so important. They get to see firsthand that when you set a goal, you finish it—even when it gets tough. Plus, they learn that exercise is a vital part of life. We’ve even had conversations about how food fuels us. My five-year-old loves asking what he should eat to grow big muscles! Haha.
At 8, my daughter decided she wanted to run a 5K. She joined me for some of those recovery runs, and it was such a special way for us to bond over something I love.
Having a goal—no matter what it is—makes those workouts feel so much more worth it. Don’t ever feel like you're missing out just because Sunday mornings are your time to train. The kids get quality time with Dad, Grandma, the babysitter (trust me, those relationships can turn into lifelong friendships), or whoever else is watching them.
The thing is, just because I’m a mom doesn’t mean I have to give up on being an athlete. In fact, being a mom and staying active has become one of the most important parts of my life. So, to all the women out there—don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be both! You absolutely can be a loving, dedicated mom and a strong, empowered athlete.