I Am An Athlete
Vicki Kenny, CSCS

I am an athlete.  I have always been an athlete.  Ever since I was a kid, it is all I can remember.  In the spring of 2000 that identity was about to change.  Or was it?  I became pregnant with my first child, and after the excitement settled I thought to myself, “I am no longer an athlete; I am now a mother.”  Juggling a career, a husband who works crazy hours and a new baby, something would have to give.    

As my pregnancy progressed, so did my thinking.  I came to the realization that giving up Vicki, the athlete, would mean more than just giving up a hobby; it would be a sacrifice of self.  I wasn’t willing to sacrifice that part of me; the part I worked my entire life to achieve.  It was time to rewrite the rules my way.  After all, it’s my life, right?  Besides, I was never much for sitting on my butt while everyone else was out there training.  I trained throughout my entire pregnancy and even kept running until the 8^th month.

On March 2, 2001 , Summer Rose came into this world.  As a gift, my husband bought me a new mountain bike so I could continue to train.  I was ecstatic.  Some moms are thrilled to get a new diaper bag or SUV but not me!  Six months later, I placed second in the coed division of the Toyota Tundra Adventure Race Series, and four months after that I was carrying Summer across the finish line at the Disney ½ marathon.  It felt great. 

I know what you’re thinking… “Where did she find the time to train?  The answer is, I made the time.  I wasn’t willing to make excuses.  My new mantra was. “If it is important enough to me, I will find the time”.  I would bike early in the morning, in the mid afternoon, or whenever my husband was home.  I would use the jogging stroller and do my runs.  I joined the Master’s swim team that met 3 times a week at 5:30am (yikes!).  I made it work; for me and for my family.  The best past about it was that it made me happier.  What I’ve discovered is that if I’m happy, my job at home is much easier. 

A year later, I had my second child, Rayna Grace.  All I had to do now was to follow my new rules.  If I could manage to workout with one, I knew I could do it with two. Though it wasn’t as easy the second time around, I still maintained my training.  Instead of riding outside, I bought a trainer for my bike so I could ride whenever I needed.  I got a double jogging stroller and continued my runs.  I also bought a few pieces of exercise equipment so I could get a great workout at home.  I could do all this while watching the girls (or while they watched me) or while they napped.  I didn’t need to go to a gym, I had one at home now.  It became part of my (our) routine.  It took me a little longer to compete again but I did. ???

Four years later, we were blessed with Reef Sienna (yes, another girl!  God help my husband!).  By this time, fitness and endurance had become a lifestyle for my entire family.  My two older daughters now 4 and 5 became used to the exercise routine.  They knew Mommy was out early in the morning to go for her bike or run before they even woke up.  If schedules didn’t allow, I would bring everyone with me.  They were old enough now to ride their bikes while I ran with the baby in the stroller.  We would go to a park and I could utilize the playground for a workout while they played.  When I worked out at home, they would now join in.  It was a great way for me to get my training in, spend time with the kids and teach them a healthy lifestyle. (I love that they know what pushups and squats are)

Many moms, including myself, have feelings of guilt.  They hesitate to take time for themselves and often lose who they are in the process.  “I feel bad leaving my kids just to workout” or “I shouldn’t get a babysitter just so I can exercise”.  Does any of this sound familiar?

The truth is that everyone needs to take time for him or herself, and mothers are no different.  All it requires is a short amount of time out of your day and a commitment to YOU.  As mothers, we spend so many hours with our children, providing for our family, and being super women.  We neglect our need for personal time.  Not only do we need it we deserve it.

It is a great lesson for our little ones to learn that mommy needs to nurture herself too.  Our kids will grow older.  They will no longer need us as much and at that moment we will be searching for ourselves.  We will be lost.  We need to stay in touch with who we are and what makes us better moms, wives, friends or even husbands and fathers.. 

For me, being able to continue my fitness and endurance regimen has been my salvation.  I have created time for myself without guilt.  Many mothers I know give 110% to their families selflessly without a second thought.  I found through trial and error that I needed something more.  I also wanted to give to my family 110%, but I could not do it selflessly.  I needed to have something of my own.  Now I allot 1-2 hours each day to train.  If that means I have to wake up 1-2 hours before everyone else in the house to do it, I set my alarm at 5am .  But that is time that is all mine.  I finish my workout feeling prepared to conquer the day because I have done something for myself.  I feel ready to give to my family without any guilt!  To me, that is the true meaning of empowerment.

Sometimes I am still amazed that after three children, and 8 years, I am still able to maintain the same if not a higher fitness level than before.  I never thought I could have something as a mother that belonged solely to me.  I was able to keep my identity, the very thing that made me who I am today.  It was an emotional and physical process.  It takes a great support system (thanks family), some motivation, and a desire to make health a commitment in a busy mom’s life.  The good news is it can be done.  I am living proof.

Today…I am an athlete.  I am a mother.  And always will be.