Had anyone suggested in early 2000 that I would finish the decade as an Xterra World Championship Triathlete, I wouldn’t have believed it. That year I gave birth to my first daughter and became pregnant again within a few months. By 2001 my body needed to shed 55 pounds of excess body weight. I found ways to harmonize fitness with motherhood and now I am a “multi-sport mom” who competes in Xterra (off-road) triathlons, mountain bike racing, and running. You can achieve your harmony by remembering these F-A-M-I-L-Y principles:
F – FAMILY. Take your family with you. All-terrain jogging strollers are ideal investments because you can use them in just about any weather or terrain while you exercise with your children in tow. If you compete, try off-road racing such as Xterra triathlon or mountain bike racing. These races take place on natural trails, usually in or near a state park or recreation area where the rest of the family (including the dog!) can have fun and exercise too. For the simplest option, walk with your children to the nearest playground at least three times a week.
A – ASPIRE. Write down your health and fitness goals. Set a target date and make the goals attainable by setting smaller, more reasonable ones along the way. I have completed 3 marathons, but only after accomplishing smaller feats. I started out walking my children in the jogging stroller three times per week. Then my walks evolved to a run/walk. Within a few months, I entered and finished my first 5k.
M – MORNING. When you must workout away from family, find a time of day that doesn’t interfere with your responsibilities. Early morning is a great time to run outside, or go to a spinning class indoors. I go to a masters swim program that is over just in time to get my daughters off to school. You can also do a home workout video during the children’s naptime.
I – INFORMATION. Stay informed. One article inspired me to do my first 5k and set a marathon goal because it claimed that “entering a race gives you a goal that will keep your training consistent and keep you motivated for life.” Athleta Chi, running periodicals, athlete biographies, and training books are some of the places I go for information on being the best multi-sport mom that I can be.
L – LOVE. Reciprocate the support you get from your family by encouraging your loved ones to do their favorite things. Always keep your children’s activities the top priority, but you can encourage them to do sports that the family will enjoy together. My husband and I play tennis during our daughters’ lessons and we ski together after school once per week during the snowy months.
Y – YOU. Don’t feel guilt when you do periodically take time away from family to do a race or training. Overall, you are still setting a positive example for your family when practicing good health. You will be in peak mental and physical form to better contribute to your family.
Don’t wait! Inspiration is right at home and you can harmonize your life by making a F-A-M-I-L-Y plan today.
JADE GIANAKOPOULOS (aka "The Girl With the Awesome Pink Bike") is a multi-sport athlete who competes in Xterra (off-road) triathlon, mountain bike and running races. When she's not racing, she can be found rock climbing, skiing, or playing tennis and golf. Her greatest accomplishment is maintaining a racing career while being a wife and mother to her two daughters. Learn more about Jade at her website JadeRaces.com »
Great article! Having a family [I have 4 children] is certainly not a obstacle to have fun in races and sports. On the contrary, I think, we, mothers, need this alone-time!
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Thanks Jade! Your principles are as inspiring to women without children!
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Hi Jade! I absolutely love how your written principles are conveyed and connected to ‘family’. I totally agree over the importance of involving family members in the sports we love to engage in (plus our given mindsets, too). I was wonderfully reminded of this today while training at the gym over how our positive example of health becomes contagious to those we love and care about. At very least, it sets an amazing example of opportunity in making better choices over health and well-being at any age. The choice in being healthy, to me, is ageless, timeless, and always wise. I am, by far, a much better person on so many levels for choosing to stay in-shape year-round as I do!:-)
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I love this! You are so right – finding the balance between raising a happy, healthy family while taking care of yourself is key!
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Jade this is fantastic! I always let the fact that I have kids be the reason I can’t or don’t have time to excercise. You’re giving me a whole new ;erse;ective on this thinking! Thanks!
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Thank you all for the feedback. Your comments inspire me and keep me going. Good luck to all of you and your families in your fitness endeavors!
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Thanks, Jade. I have a more than full-time job, love to run, and have two little girls. I work at making time for my running, but I always feel guilty about leaving them, especially since they are too big now to fit into the jogging stroller. I am proud to say, though, that my almost 8-year-old has declared that she is going to run the kids’ marathon (1 mile) attached to the half-marathon I’m planning to run in May! “When do we start training, Mom?” she asked last week. It really is good to remember that we are all setting an athletic example for our kids!
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Loved your article and am inspired to do XTERRA World’s again. I will look for you on Maui in October 2010. Aloha!
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WOW Jade! That is wonderful… I would love to keep in touch… I miss so much being here in Florida.. miss family. My best to you and your family always!! Love U! Marce
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Your expertise is great! Running is a huge part of my life, and continue to be a large component of my daily life as a mother.
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Jade, You are beautiful inside and out! You inspire me…Your article was fanstastic, thanks for sharing.
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Jade! Wonderful article that should inspire all mothers to be good role models for their children. Your two beautiful daughters play tennis with mine, and I can tell that you are fostering a love for fitness in them. Keep up the good work! What an inspiration you are to all women…Christy Detrick
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Very proud of you Jade! You are inspiring to all of us, your family, and to all mothers out there.
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You are superwoman Jade! You truely are an exemplar mother and athlete. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am today with my running if you had not inspired me! Keep up the good work! xoxoxo
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Leah, hearing that inspires me even more. Your running has become so great, you keep up the good work too. Thank you Stacey and Leah and everyone for your comments. Love you all and keep on with your fitness endeavors. Good luck and happy spring!
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You rock, Jade!
Even tho you are far away, you still inspire me!
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I’m so inspired!
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Jade, I loved your story! I don’t know how I have missed knowing what an accomplished athlete you are. I only knew that you enjoyed running! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I will be following your career from now on and cheering you on, but from the warmth and safety of my home and backyard! What an inspiration to your girls and other moms! And to think you took time to write out a recipe for me which you had served and gained a reputation as an outstanding chef as well! We are all so proud of you, Jade.
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