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? ;)
