Last year’s Iceman I had serious FOMO. I live just a ten minute walk from the Iceman finish line at Timber Ridge and seeing all the racers and spectators roll in was hard. As badly as I wanted to be crossing that finish line, it wasn’t in the cards for me last year. But just because it wasn’t a big year on the bike for me, doesn’t mean it wasn’t a big year for me and my family.
We had been wanting to start a family since before we got married, so being pregnant in 2023 was very much so planned – I knew I would be sitting out races and I was certainly ok with that. But just like most active and fit women before they get pregnant, I had grandiose plans of staying fit, biking as long as I could, running my little heart out, and being a top-notch cheerleader for races like Iceman while pregnant. Well, as great as that sounds, it was not my reality. The INTENSE nausea, fainting, day to day sickness that came on very quickly with the start of my pregnancy threw a big ‘ol wrench in my plans. It took all of my energy for a daily walk and the occasional lifting session when I was up for it. My body hurt, I was fainting and/or puking on the regular when I tried to exercise, I got covid, the flu, shingles, I went home sick from work sooo many times, and with things in my body moving around and feeling like they weren’t where they were supposed to be (if you know you know) I couldn’t handle being on a bike seat more than 1-2x total throughout my entire pregnancy. I am clearly not good at being pregnant.
Even when Iceman rolled around, I was so disappointed in myself for not following through on my plans that I didn’t even step foot on the grounds of Timber Ridge for the crazy fun the finish line and after party is. (Silly! I know!!)
Fast forward to January 2024 when my beautiful baby boy arrived. It seemed in an instant that I forgot how hard being pregnant was for me. I wouldn’t have changed a single moment – I love this little guy more than anything and would go through it all over again a million times if I had to. They say your brain chemistry changes when the moment they place that baby on your chest. I have know idea who “they” is, but boy were they right! I want to be the best mom I can be and, without a doubt, that means I need to be the best version of me. The best version of me tends not only to my child’s needs, but mine as well. And for me that means getting back on the saddle, no matter how hard it is at first (HOLY COW getting back into shape postpartum is TOUGH) and taking care of my mind and body. Doing so will allow be to be fully present for my son. He will grow up getting to see the importance I put on human movement and taking pride in doing what makes you happy. This year of racing will look a little different for me. Whether I end up on the podium this time around or not, one thing is clear: my fire is lit and burning brighter than ever before.
See you out there fellow bad@$$ Icemamas.
A huge thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Allyson Klug @allysonklug