It was the beginning of 2016, and I had a feeling that as the new year began that it would be a special year. It first started with my denial letter from Leadville. "We regret to inform you that your name was not drawn for the lottery for the 2016 Leadville Trail 100." I was stunned. I had thought my female pro license, along with making the podium 2 years in a row, would be enough to get me in a 3rd time! My gut told me there was a reason I wasn't going to that race. My emotions, however, told me I was disappointed and mad all at once.
But then the fatigue started setting in along with morning nausea and becoming lethargic to coffee. How could I feel appalled to my favorite morning 'pick-me-up'?!! And then I couldn't stand to look at a glass of wine! So, it finally all clicked and I rushed to the store to grab some pee sticks and soon found that I was indeed pregnant! The very next day was a 40-mile mountain bike race. I decided to race; however, my body felt horrible, and my mind was a wreck, so I finished near the back.
This is me racing the McDowell Mtn Meltdown, just a day after I'd found out I was pregnant! -Photo credits: Shawn Bolduc
People asked me, "Are you disappointed...you had so many plans this year?!" And my answer was a hard NO!! The year before, as I was suffering through the Cape Epic, I realized I was finally ready to have a child. I felt as if I had reached enough cycling goals that I would be okay with having a little one to change up my life a bit and, most likely, make it even more epic and amazing. Plus, I felt fortunate to have 7 years of marriage to Aaron, without kids!
Coming from a strong racing background, being pregnant was the very first time in my life that I had to think of exercise as a means to stay healthy and sane for this baby vs. having a racing goal.
The first trimester was physically tough for me as I had been dealing with extreme fatigue and not feeling great. I had signed up for the 24 Hours in the Ol Pueblo - Valentine's weekend. This race is like a big party out in the middle of the desert. So, since I had already paid for it and I wanted to go anyhow to see some of my athletes and friends race, I made up a sign for my pack that read, "Epic Baby on Board," hoping this would deter any rider from trying to be too aggressive when passing me.
Ol Pueblo turned into a great event for this pregnant lady. I had no idea how I'd feel or if I'd even do more than two laps. I started the first lap (layman's style, running) and took it slow and steady, stopping to help riders who'd flatted along the way. It was the first time I'd ever done this course without going super hard, and it was pretty enjoyable at a leisurely pace!
Stopping to help a guy with a flat tire at Ol Pueblo. Photo credit: Shelby Hanson
I took a break after the first lap for a few hours and then headed out again for a sunset lap. Riders along the way would offer a 'congrats!' or 'you go little momma!'. Afterwards, I took a shower and slept for the night. Waking up the next morning, I decided to do just one more lap. This would have been the most riding I'd done in a long time! Our friends the Hanson's had bacon and pancakes cooking for breakfast so I fueled up and then headed out for my last lap. I don't know what place I finished - I don't really care, but my little baby (Saoirse) and I had a great ride together! The ride was really a celebration, a coming out for Aaron and me, announcing to everyone that we had a little Ross on the way.
Now that it’s been almost 10 years, and we have two daughters (Saoirse age 9, Aoife age 7), I appreciate all the new adventures parenthood has brought Aaron and me. It’s also transformed my goals in cycling and helped me to enjoy the little things in life.
