For Danelle Kabush, professional off-road triathlete with the LUNA Pro Team, life is all about balancing family while keeping up the pace of her training. An active mom of two kids under the age of four, Danelle uses her Chariot Carrier and its multiple conversion kits to work different muscle groups in her training exercises, all while bringing the kids along with her.
Danelle is what I like to pretend I look like when pushing the Cheetah carrier by Chariot. Cept I don’t. People as out of shape as me are probably as a rule not allowed to push jogging type strollers or really wear any sort of fitness gear at all.
Therefore it really is a great opportunity to be able to ask fitness tips from a mom who is such an amazing athlete, and I really want to thank her for taking the time and thought to do this.
This is what I asked her:
Danelle, you are the type of person I see with their bikes and jogging strollers that make people like me want to crawl away and hide. Your fitness and your love for cycling and the awe inspiring triathlon have not been compromised by motherhood and that is an inspiration for all types of moms.
Crunchy Carpets: You have wonderful tips for new moms to ease back into physical fitness with the likes of Chariot Carriers and their conversion kits. However, what about a mom like me. Someone who has NEVER been physically fit, but wants to make use of the time spent pushing a stroller. What would you suggest for the likes of me?
Danelle: The first thing I would recommend is to invest in a good pair of running shoes. If you go to a specialty running store, they can analyze your step for walking or running, and recommend the right shoes for you. Now you’ll be ready to put in some walking miles and also be prepared to eventually run, if that is your goal.
Where I live in Calgary, there are lots of “mom fitness” groups who are seen in the parks with their Chariot Carriers and jogging strollers. These groups are a great way to incorporate the social aspect and for providing some guided instruction. In addition to walking, these groups will often stop to do core-work, lunges, etc.
It’s best to start your new fitness regime gradually and set goals within the time you have to get outside and get moving! For example, you might start by walking a certain distance or route from your house, then eventually pick up the walking pace over time. If you’d like to graduate from walking to jogging, you can add in a minute of jogging for every 5 minutes of walking, and increase the running over time.
Crunchy Carpets: What sort of warm ups should someone do to make sure they are prepared for more than just a ‘stroll’?
Danelle: Some light stretching is always good. But I personally prefer to do more stretching after a workout, when my muscles are warm. Core work is important (e.g. abs, back, sides, glut muscles), it’s what will build strong stabilizing muscles to support your walking and jogging, especially when coming back from childbirth! Yoga or pilates are also great options for your core.
Crunchy Carpets: I am keen to get a bike to join my children in one of their favorite activities. What would you recommend for distance and endurance building for someone who isn’t used to pulling a 25 lb toddler in a Chariot with the bike kit?
Danelle: First, I would say, that I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to pull your children in a Chariot with the bike conversion kit. If you can ride where there are no major hills and have a bike with low gearing, it should be fine for anyone on flat, smooth pavement. If you feel fit enough to go for fast walks or jogs with the Chariot, you should find cycling with it no problem! If you have one older child who is already riding a bike, and a younger child who isn’t, taking the Chariot behind you on the bike is a great way to all get out together!
Crunchy Carpets: Would you be crushed if your children are not as enthusiastic about cycling and triathlons are you are? What have you done to show them that fitness and exercise are fun?
Danelle: Definitely not! I have no expectations about them following my interests! I look forward to discovering what activities will interest them over time, whether it is sports or the arts. Our goal is to expose them to many different things and see what peaks their interest over time. In the meantime, I try to be a role model to my kids by showing them that I enjoy all my exercising and racing. I enjoy bringing my kids out training when I can in the Chariot, the optional conversion kits allow me to take them biking, jogging or even cross-country skiing in the winter, so at this age it is more about getting them outside and enjoying the fresh air!
To get to know Danelle better, you can visit her own personal blog.
I loved the last two questions those were gems!!
I wish I could afford a bike!