mountain biking

Training for Life

~ Rose Grant ~ 1 Comment
Myke Hermsmeyer Photography / Whitefish Whiteout, January 25, 2014
Myke Hermsmeyer Photography
Whitefish Whiteout, Jan. 25, 2014

While skinning a lap up Whitefish Mountain Resort recently with good friends Katie French and Megan Couser, a man skiing down stopped and asked us if we were training for something. The first thing that popped into my head was “Yes! The Whitefish Whiteout.” Never before had I done a ski mountaineering race, but with my new backcountry gear, I was inspired to try it. Before I could reply to the man, Katie answered “Life.” There couldn’t have been a better answer!

Although races are fun and motivation for training, in the end results don’t matter; it is the big picture that counts! Staying active and healthy and happy and passing that on to your kids is, I believe,  one of the best gifts you can give them. Being in the outdoors and enjoying the beautiful earth that the Lord created for us is something not to be taken for granted.

Another good friend, Maria, who is normal in the sense she doesn’t have to compete at every sport, asked me why I decided to try ski racing. I knew it certainly wasn’t to win, so why would I sign up to race a sport as a newbie? There are many benefits in competition that do train for life!

The people are amazing and inspiring! The Whitefish Whiteout brought all levels of racers. Especially inspiring to me, and hitting close to home was Danni Coffman, 33 weeks prego, and out participating in the fun! She raced the ascent category and straight up killed it! So impressed and happy to see this beautiful pregnant lady staying active. Another inspiring lady was Marg Fedyna, 49 years old and owning it with the win of the women’s AT class, as well as beating some very strong men! Sheli Thomas is another one of my heros. This race was also Sheli’s first ski race at 50 something! She stuck with it and completed the race! Sheli continues to challenge herself with crazier races all the time. It was just a great time to meet some new gals, and catch up with old friends.

Another reason that I decided to try ski racing was the challenge, of learning to race a different sport, and cross training with motivation. It is true that results don’t matter, but in the end I’m competitive at heart, and I at least wanted to keep some of the other gals working for it. 🙂 But with that said, I was truly able to enjoy the event without being nervous or pressured with expectations. I got a great 2 hour race effort out of the deal and it was a blast!

Whether racing an event just for the accomplishment of finishing, or trying to qualify for a more prestigious event, or wining a world cup; there is self-reward in pushing yourself to levels that would not otherwise be attained without the pressure of a race. Racing teaches a person a lot about themselves. I encourage that all you ladies try some sort of race. Set attainable goals, put yourself out there, get fit, and have fun! Just remember that in the end you are training for life!

Love, Rose

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For the nursing mommy athlete…..

Aside ~ ~ Rose Grant ~ Leave a comment
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July, 2013

Although a subject that comes across slightly awkward at times, but is real and amazing is that of breastfeeding.  After being in my position, any awkwardness is lost to the wind and it just becomes a way of life.

During my race season, I was looking for some insight on how other mom athletes were able to nurse and train HARD. I never came across anything that was much help, so I am writing this post for the athlete/active mommy who is nursing, and I hope it is somewhat helpful. Every women needs to remember that every person is different, and this is just my personal experience. I realize that breastfeeding is not easy or possible for some mothers.

Any women’s body is working overtime while nursing, much less adding the training/race schedule of an elite athlete; or any athlete. First off, nutrition and sleep became of utmost importance!!  I am continually working on listening to what my body is telling me, and responding appropriately. I have to eat well; meaning enough and nutritious food. Due to breastfeeding,  I am not super strict about my calorie intake right now; I eat when I’m hungry and practice moderation. I eat more healthy fats and protein than I would if I weren’t nursing. I feel like the added protein not only aids in muscle repair and recovery, but also breast milk has to have a good amount of protein and fat in it right? So I figured that I need to replace some of what I was loosing through my milk with extra fats and proteins, vitamin and calcium rich foods, and lots of water (over a gallon a day)!! Looking back I feel like I could have benefited during my race season from taking my prenatal vitamins more consistently. I didn’t quite reach my ideal race weight this year by just a few pounds, but I wasn’t racing under ideal circumstances in many ways; and don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change a thing!

Although, I feel that I can always do better when it comes to getting to bed early enough, I strive for an 8 hour minimum, and many nights I can sleep for 9 or 10 hours. Having a schedule for Layla is necessary, and although it has slightly changed over the past 7 months she almost always sleeps a ten hour stretch at night, a luxury that not all moms get to enjoy. Because it is while we sleep that our bodies repair damaged muscle and recover for the next day’s training, getting the rest that our bodies need to do there job is mandatory!

How does lactic in my milk affect Layla? Post workout feedings often caused more spit up, but other than that, it didn’t hurt her at all. She never turned up her nose at sour milk, but I’ve heard this isn’t true for all babies. In that case, pump and dump!!

How does nursing affect my performance while training and racing? Well, I have no way of knowing for sure. I had some issues with lactic acid burn and build-up more than I remembered in other years. Was this from nursing or was I training harder? I felt like I was burning through my glycogen stores quickly (within an hour) and the rest of my ride or race I was fighting burning muscles. I started to fuel more during my rides, and as the season went on, the burning subsided; and I was able to train harder for longer. I also never had a perfect race this year, where I felt unstoppable! Again, no way of knowing for sure if this is related to nursing or not. I guess I’ll find out next year.

I never had problems keeping my milk supply, but I have friends who dry up with the slightest bit of exercise. My production lessens while riding, but it comes right back. When Layla was almost 6 months old, I was able to race an almost 80 miler (The Park City Point 2 Point) taking me almost 8.5 hours (longer than I had hoped for, but that is a subject for a future post), and my production was back to normal by the following day.

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Park City Point 2 Point, August 31, 2013

Dedication is required for an on-the-go mom. I’d nurse before I left on a ride, and when I got home. At races I’d warm up, nurse, do a couple more openers, then head to the start line. I rarely got to spin out and cool down after because I had to nurse again. I have to add that Nelson has been amazing support in helping me make everything possible. He often attends my races with Layla, or watches her while I ride. Luckily I was able to pump in addition to nursing so that I had a backup milk supply for when I was out on long rides or working. Layla has taken a bottle since she was 3 weeks of age, which was awesome and freeing.

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Beacon and Legs XC, May 4, 2013
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Hammer Nutrition Missoula Pro XCT, June 23, 2013

Even though breastfeeding added extra stress on my body, it has so many benefits. First, it is the best thing nutritiously for baby and it is the most affordable option. Nursing allows for a very special bonding time with your baby and it is very calming to them. Finally, it is usually very convenient; although, there has been the occasional 6-plus hour training ride where I have stashed my manual pump in my back pocket……it is what it is….

If this leaves any readers with questions or comments, please contact me!! It would be my pleasure to help any way I’m able to and have you succeed and reach your goals!

Rose

Layla Rose

~ Rose Grant ~ 1 Comment

Layla Rose

Layla was born on March 8, 2013. She was 7lb 3 oz, 19 inches long

Still in Nicu

She was born with a collapsed lunge, which caused her a 2 day stay in the Nicu. Fortunately, her lung healed itself with just oxygen, and I was able to hold her and nurse her while she was there.

Layla and her dad

Nelson was amazing support through the labor and delivery; and he is an awesome father!

with Grandma Kate

Layla is my mom’s first grandchild, and so she will be very spoiled I’m sure!

Meeting her Uncles

3 of Layla’s Uncles…..they will always have her back!

I had such an easy pregnancy that I assumed I would also have a very easy labor and delivery. I had done everything possible to be prepared…stayed in good shape, didn’t gain too much weight, ate right; but there is nothing that could have prepared me for the labor. I was induced at 4 days overdue due to dangerously low fluid levels. Although my midwives tried to put me into labor using the most holistic approach possible, my body didn’t respond to anything but pitocin. Pitocin contractions are extremely difficult to withstand, but after 8 hours of hard labor, I delivered a beautiful baby girl without having any pain killers. This was by far the hardest thing that I have ever had to do, but the most rewarding! I don’t think I could have gotten through it without drugs if I hadn’t kept myself in good shape!

Layla is a month old, and she is strong and growing so fast it’s unreal! We have spent most of this last month just getting accointed.

Although I did get a second degree tear, it healed fairly quickly. I was able to start some light weight workouts, and short walks after 1 week. Each week I felt stronger, and by the middle of the 2nd week postpartum, I was able to climb back onto my bike saddle, and I’ve ridden almost every day since thanks to Nelson’s flexibility to watch his little girl while I’m out.

My next post will be about my recovery, training, and how balancing life with a newborn is going……

As always, thanks for reading!

Rose

Amidst the Extra Bulk

~ Rose Grant ~ Leave a comment

36 weeks pregoPhoto: Feb. 3, 2013, 36 weeks prego

We were blessed with sunshine and warmer temperatures this last weekend! It made me miss riding outdoors so much that I decided to try riding my mountain bike in hopes that it would be tolerable.  I lucked out, and managed a lovely ride, although not very  comfortable. Stuck to mostly flat dirt and paved roads, and just road super easy, but was able to last over 3 hours. I am really appreciating that I have managed to stay somewhat fit!

Although I still have great energy, it is tougher than I’ve ever experienced at this point to have the same quality workouts, so I am just trying to maintain keeping some fitness base, knowing that every workout that I do now will only help me to bounce back faster after delivery. My lungs feel constricted, and the weight gain makes me feel heavy and often makes me stiff regardless of the type of workout I am attempting. I feel that it is ok to share that I have gained 30 lbs. As an athlete, this could be mentally challenging, but thankfully, I have been fine with it for the most part, and I’m confident that my baby and I are both super healthy. I am, however, more excited than ever to start working to get back to the normal me in just another few weeks. For now, I’ll continue to eat nutritious meals, and exercise on almost a daily basis.

Last week, I did a leg workout out of Muscle and Fitness Hers that made me sore for 3 days. I love this workout so much that I feel like I should post it for all of you also:

1. Single-leg Squat ~ works glutes, hamstrings : Stand in a Smith Machine, grip the barbell with your right hand, and hold a dumbell in your left hand. Raise your left leg off the floor straight out in front of you, foot flexed, and sink down into a squat until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Drive through your heel to push up to the start position. Complete desired number of reps and switch legs, before starting next set.

2. Single-Leg Step-up with Knee Drive ~ works Glutes, Hamstrings, and Quads: Holding dumbbells in each hand, stand with your left side next to a flat bench and place your left foot (your driving leg) on top of it. Push through the center of your driving foot, pressing your body straight up onto the bench while lifting your right leg to a 90 degree angle. Reverse the motion to step back down, repeat desired number of reps and switch legs before starting next set.

3. Alternating Jump Lunges ~ works core, glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves: Starting in a lung position with your left leg forward, jump straight up and switch legs midair, landing softly in lung position with your right leg forward. Immediately push off after landing to start your next jump, continue to alternate legs for desired number of reps and sets.

4. Bulgarian Lunge ~ works shoulders, core, glutes, hamstrings, and quads: holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand lunge-distance from a box or flat bench, facing away from it. Place the top of your foot on the box. Keeping your chest up and your front foot flat, slowly lower straight down into a lunge position until your front thigh is at least parallel to the floor. Drive through your front heel to return to standing. Complete desired number of reps before switching legs and beginning next set.

5. Box Squat: Holding a dumbbell in each hand, with the tops resting on your shoulders and your upper arms parallel to the floor, sit on the edge of a box or a flat bench. Keeping your chest up and your midsection tight, drive through your heels to come to standing. return to sitting and then repeat for desired number of reps and sets.

Enjoy!

Rose

A Glimps into 2013

~ Rose Grant ~ 3 Comments

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Photo: 01/21/2013. 34 weeks pregnant. Enjoying a skate ski at Grouse Mountain Golf Course.

2013 will without a doubt be a year to stretch me physically and mentally. I am looking forward to the challenge with open arms. With the due date of my first baby just 5 weeks away, I feel excited, anxious, and nervous; but definitely ready to meet this little girl, and develop a new normal of life with her.

Staying active helps me to focus on the mountain bike season ahead of me. Although I have been enjoying the cross training and lighter workouts, I am excited for structured training and my race schedule. I crave the excitement that comes with racing and the many friends that I only see during the race season. Having my tentative racing schedule written out, adds to my hunger.

However, I know above all else, that despite my drive and ambition, my family will be coming first. My husband Nelson is the most supportive and loving husband and best friend that I can ask for, and without his support I would not be able to be a pro mountain biker. There are many sacrifices that he makes during my race season, and those demands will only grow with a newborn. In return, it is important that I am sensitive to the days when I might need to skip a training ride when it just can not be done, and I am preparing myself to be ok with that. I am simply going to plan the best that I can in order to train appropriately, work part-time, and maintain a balanced family life. I have high hopes that the juggle will be very possible.

With the cross country season not only starting when I’m supposed to be having a baby, but also most races being held so far from my home in NW Montana (with the exception of Missoula XC of course), I want to put my focus more on endurance races in 2013.  This is the part of my 2012 season that I didn’t get to complete due to my pregnancy, and I think it will be a nice change of pace, literally. When planning my race schedule, I also had to consider the fact that I will be breast-feeding. There are no races on my schedule over 60 miles until Sept. I will be posting my schedule in the near future.

I am very excited to share this amazing journey with you. Each day brings new surprises, and I am continually reminded that God’s plan for my life is better than I could have ever imagined.

Rose

Philippians 4:13

20 weeks and onward

~ Rose Grant ~ Leave a comment

I found out last Thursday that we will be having a baby GIRL in March! I am excited, and so thankful that my body is doing so well. I have not had to slow down much, and I have been enjoying not only casual fall bike rides, but also trail running once again. It is also time to re-join my gym, Access Fitness, and start a strength training routine through the winter. Mountain bike race season will be upon me before I know it, and this is a great reminder that I must keep working out almost daily, so that I can bounce back quickly after the baby comes!!!