Sara Renner back to training after birth of daughter

Cross-country skier Sara Renner is back to training for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver following the birth of her daughter, Aria Grandi, in February.  However, being pregnant didn’t take the 31-year-old off the slopes.

I skied the day before she was born. Skiing was a good compliment to the waddle. It was reallyuncomfortable to walk, but to ski? I was so glad I was pregnant in thewinter. I didn’t train but I really do love my sport and even a winter without it, I think, would be very difficult for me.

Sara says that she is able to train because her husband, Thomas Grandi, an alpine skier, has turned into Mr. Mom. However, she still treasures her time with her daughter and schedules as much as she can around Aria’s schedule.

I knew that to have a family, it would be better to have it asearly as possible. I definitely knew it would be easierto come back if I had more time but at the same time, you can’t rushthese kinds of things either. You know, I’m never going to havea young baby again, and I really want to enjoy it and make sure that Ihave energy for that.

Vancouver is three years away, so I have time. Iknow I have some time to be in my best shape. I won’t be in my bestshape this year but it will come. There’s quite a few women who’ve had babies who are cross-countryskiers so I had some great advice on not panicking and not rushing it.

It takes nine months for your body to [prepare for] ababy so it’s going to take a while for your body to come back.

Sara is not rushing herself to get back in shape. She knows it will take time.  However, the skier is impressed with how easily her training levels have come back to her.

I reallyenjoy my training because it’s a good break but at the same time, Ican’t wait to get home. I have a focus in my day and that’s sport whenit has to be and then my family for the rest of the day. I’ve really returned to my sport refreshed and full of energy. Having a child is such a great thing to come home to also.

Source: National Post and CanWest News Service