I’m ridiculously excited to announce that my new book, Bump, Bike and Baby – Mummy’s Gone Adventure Racing is going to be released on 15 March 2018.
It charts my journey from happy, carefree mountain runner to reluctant, stay-at-home mother of two. During this time, I entered Ireland’s National Adventure Race Series to try and maintain my post-natal sanity. Slowly, I also learned to become a loving, and occasionally functioning, mum.
It was whilst talking with fellow female athletes a while ago that I realised my experience of motherhood, though personal and highly unique, might be useful for others to hear. I figured there must be other women out there in similar situations, trying to juggle parenthood with training and racing, who might benefit from reading what happened to me.
The reason I wanted to write this book was to confirm how each and every person has a different way of parenting, and that ultimately all of us have to find our own way. It just so happens that staying at home with my two children and doing adventure-racing events was the formula that worked for me.
I also decided to write my experience down, warts and all, to make people realise that pregnancy and parenthood isn’t always a bed of roses. I hope this will be of use to those, who like me, really struggle with the responsibility.
Writing this book has made me acutely aware that I have been very fortunate in many regards. First I was physically able to get pregnant, something I realise some couples profoundly struggle with. I am also extremely lucky that both my children were born fit and healthy, and had all the medical support they required when ill.
I am also blessed by the amazing love and support I have received from my husband, who has weathered all the good times and bad with me. And I’m very privileged to have met so many amazing individuals who have helped me, given me useful advice, and have cared for my children when needed.
The book can be ordered now from Amazon, Easons, Waterstones and all good bookstores.