Words to the wise
WHILE JUGGLING MOTHERHOOD AND TRIATHLON IS NEW TERRITORY FOR MOST PROS, MANY AGE-GROUPERS ARE MASTERING THE BALANCING ACT. HERE, THREE MULTISPORT MOMS SHARE THEIR TIPS ON MAKING IT ALL WORK.
RACHEL ROSS, 37, HONOLULU, HI
Mom to: Henry (13), Wyatt (11) and Sky (10)
Recent race highlights: 1st, 35-39 age group, 2012 Iron- man 70.3 Hawaii; 4th, 35-39 age group, 2011 Ironman World Championships.
“I’m usually up at 4 a.m. and I defi nitely don’t get enough sleep! As a single mom, I fi nd that I can’t race as frequently and usually train in the dark. But because I race less, it’s more exciting and rewarding. As for new moms, there’s no race to get back to triathlon. There’s no award for being the mom who did an Ironman with the youngest baby, you just miss out on those precious baby and toddler moments.”
Clockwise from top left: Rachel Ross and Sky run together in Hawaii; Kirsten Sass and her husband Jeff during a cycling trip in France; Susanne Davis with Matthew and Brooke after winning her age group at nationals.
KIRSTEN (WINKLER) SASS, 34, McKENZIE, TN
Mom to: AlyssaBella (4) and Sebastian (2) Recent Race Highlights: 1st, 30-34 age group, 2013 USA Triathlon Olympic-Distance National Championships.
“It’s really important to be fl exible. Family comes fi rst, and when you have a sick child or something comes up, it’s OK to miss a workout. Training and racing should be fun and something you enjoy, not something that adds more stress to your life. For me, swimming, biking and running are what I love to do; the sport allows me to take some time for myself and enables me to be a better mother and wife.”
SUSANNE DAVIS, 42, CARLSBAD, CA
Mom to: Matthew (10) and Brooke (5) Recent Race Highlights: 1st, 40-44 age group, 2013 Ironman World Championships; 1st, 40-44 age group, 2013 USA Triathlon Olympic-Distance National Championships.
“Choosing race locations that the family can enjoy is key. My big races are planned a year in advance and this destination becomes our vacation. When it comes to training as a new mom, there’s nothing wrong with having an hour to yourself each day. On weekends, get a babysitter so you and your spouse can swim, bike or run together and go out for a coffee. That’s the best way to balance the sport into your lifestyle.”
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