A Breech Baby

Written February 11, 2016:

At 39 weeks I learned that my baby had turned breech, and that this would inevitably mean that a c-section was my new fate. Selfishly I suppose, this upset me because a c-section was not the natural birth I was hoping for and I new it would mean a longer recovery. This ambitious race schedule, this new temporary purpose I had given myself, may not work out...

On January 14, 2016, I gave birth via scheduled c-section to a beautiful baby girl.  I'm happy to report that at 4 weeks postpartum, I'm finally feeling somewhat back to normal. There is hope! I haven't had my 6 week follow up with my doctor as of yet, but at my own discretion I have started to do more than just walk.

Photo credit to my amazing doula/photographer: http://www.helenjoy.com/

Biking: Biking on the trainer starting at 5 minute intervals and adding 5 minutes more each time - I'm currently at 25 minutes, working my way up to 60 minutes for an Olympic triathlon training plan starting as soon as I get the ok from my doctor.

Running: Well, shuffling is more like it. Running is the easiest with the baby, I just put her in the stroller, make sure her head isn't jiggling around, and go! I've started a couch to 5k training program, which progression feels very, very slow. BUT, my 'run' is just as fast as my walk, seriously. Running has never been my thing and I'm afraid it feels 100 x worse than it ever has! My plan is to keep trying to add speed according to the couch to 5k program (I had found a random app online).

Swimming: Since I swam throughout my pregnancy I'm not as worried about this one. Also, want to wait for the ok from the doctor once submerging myself in water...and it's harder to do with a baby who hasn't had all of her shots yet, may wait until the 2 month mark and take advantage of the YMCA.

Here we go!

I spent most of my time in a sea kayak during my first trimester of pregnancy. I was working as a sea kayak operations manager for a non-profit outdoor adventure company in San Francisco for the summer.

Sea kayaking in Tomales Bay, summer of 2015.

My husband and I had left for California in April 2015 (from South Carolina), not sure where we were headed after my seasonal position was over - but we had been trying to conceive for a few months prior. Well, we finally had some luck when we were least expecting it, I suppose how it works for many people... I found out I was pregnant about five days after we drove across the country and arrived in Mill Valley, CA.

I wouldn't say it was easy kayaking in my first trimester, but I'm grateful I had something to keep my mind off of feeling sick. The hardest part was heading home to our rental house boat after work and laying in bed feeling the tide come in and out with the house gently rocking, along with the feeling that I was actually still in the kayak - a feeling that usually goes away after a couple of days of boating in a row...

In late August, after much thought and deliberation, my husband and I decided to move back to South Carolina and purchase a home on "the other" Lake Lanier in Landrum, South Carolina. Imagine small town, horse country, great rode biking, arts and crafts, bluegrass, smack between Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC.

8 months pregnant on Lake Lanier, SC

I've been fortunate in my life, where I've had opportunities to adventure all of the world. I've participated in and have led amazing overnight outdoor adventures: backpacking, sea kayaking, canoeing, cross-country skiing. I've been able to make a living the past five years leading outdoor trips - I love taking people into the outdoors and away from the noise and clutter of technology, society, and everyday life.

However, for the moment, I have put my outdoor career on hold. Growing up I was the girl who dreamed of having a stay at home husband who would raise the kids...and while a huge part of me wants to "Lean In" I personally can't imagine, quite yet, going on a two week long backpacking trip having to leave an infant behind, especially one who I plan on breastfeeding. I suppose Sheryl didn't write her book thinking of female outdoor educators...Besides, the salary of an outdoor educator is pretty much equivalent to the cost of daycare, so it really doesn't make sense regardless. There's a part of me definitely ambivalent to the idea of staying at home, but perhaps those are thoughts for another day. Don't get me wrong - I'm beyond excited to meet my little girl, and can. not. wait.

In my experience, triathlon seems to be the next closest thing to adventure travel, without having to spend the night. Commonalities, for me, would be: endurance, fueling, community, beautiful places, living in the moment, pain is just weakness leaving the body....(mental note, perhaps having a baby is oddly similar?) My hope is that triathlon will give me something to do (other than being a mom), will help me get back to my pre-pregnancy body and will help avoid postpartum depression (these reasons are of course in addition to my natural tendency for competitiveness). So.....triathlon here we come!!!!!!!  I've only been racing two years, however after having a baby, I'm sure it pretty much brings me back to the starting board. Newbie mom, newbie triathlete.

Here's my tentative timeline thus far:

• Baby girl due: 1/14/16
• Middle Tyger Sprint: 6/4/16
• Greenwood International: 6/11/16
• Swamp Rabbit Sprint: 7/16/16
• Lake Logan International: 8/7/16
• Greenville Tri Sprint: 8/14/16
• Transamerica Chicago International: 8/28/16
• The Dam Tri Sprinternational: 10/8/16

Maybe I'm overly ambitious? A little unrealistic? ....maybe not?  ;)

Calderwood Lake Trip Report

March 1st, 2013

Calderwood Lake

We drove two and a half hours to Cheoah Dam (from Flat Rock, NC). Parked the car at 'Calderwood Station' and put on to Calderwood Lake at 3:30 pm.

There was a slight flow to the water. The dam was releasing, but it was still possible to easily paddle against the current.

After paddling for a little over an hour, we decided to stop and camp at 'campsite #4'. Campsite #4 is a short walk off of the lake (has a very poor spot for unloading canoes) and is tucked in on a nice creek. In the summer, the creek would be a great swimming hole spot.

 In very high water, the picnic table and fire pit would be underwater.

The small tent pad (below) is just to the right of where the above photo was taken....

March 2nd, 2013

The next morning we paddled about 2 miles to 'campsite #5'.

Campsite #5 is a nice spot overlooking the lake. A creek meanders around the campsite. There are two tent pads, (one has a picnic table on it), a fire ring and a rock pile. Campsite #5 would not work well with a large group, unless hammocks were to be used...

A hunter must have brought in this pit toilet...

After touring campsite #5, we continued to Calderwood Dam - at this point it started snowing a lot!

Calderwood Dam...

 The Calderwood Dam boat dock was nice!

There's one more flight after this one...

We decided to hike the mile up to Highway 129 to see if you could drive the boats down to the stairs...

Turns out there's a locked gate...

The 'portage' on Highway 129/Tail of the Dragon, does not look safe for walking, especially with a big group.

But, there's a nice view from the overlook.

We then hiked back down, turned around, and continued our journey upstream. Visibility was very low for awhile there!

I was paddling with a ghost paddler!

On our way back, we stopped by Campsite #3 and Campsite #2. All along the lake, were very pretty, skinny (but very tall waterfalls). One was across from Campsite #3, at this point we could hear it, but couldn't see it. Campsites 3 and 2 were very similar and about a 1/4 mile apart. Both have views of the lake and are on hillsides. However, the tent pads and picnic tables were on flat spots. Neither had the best spots for unloading canoes.

Campsite #3:

Campsite #2:

Next was campsite #1, about another mile upstream. Campsite #1 is on Slickrock Creek in the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness area. Today the water was lower, so we couldn't paddle up to the campsite.

Then we paddled back to the car, http://www.southeastwaterforum.org/files/SEWTF09_Ammons&Oliver.pdfcamped there (it was in the teens that night!) and drove back in the morning!

 This adventure was brought to you by:

Carrie and Chris!!!!