Jess Learmonth pushes boundaries after pregnancy in bid to reach Paris 2024
Olympic champion Jess Learmonth reveals that she pushed the boundaries during her unexpected pregnancy in a determined effort to keep her dream of competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics alive.
Learmonth, who secured gold in the triathlon mixed relay at Tokyo 2020, became a first-time mother when she gave birth to Frederick last September.
The 35-year-old athlete from Leeds found herself pregnant while recovering from a serious hip injury. With her last competition dating back to May 2022, she is now on a mission to regain her form in time for this summer’s Olympics.
Reflecting on her pregnancy journey, Learmonth admitted that she probably shouldn’t have gone for a run on the day she gave birth. She even pulled her calf muscle during a run that morning before going into labor in the evening.
In hindsight, Learmonth acknowledges that she was running with additional weight and her gait was completely different due to her pregnancy. However, despite the minor setback, she remained optimistic about her chances.
Throughout her pregnancy, Learmonth found limited medical research on training while pregnant. Returning to the top of her sport after giving birth used to be a rarity until relatively recently.
Learmonth expresses her gratitude to the doctors and sports scientists at the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey and British Triathlon for their unwavering support.
While she adhered to certain guidelines, such as refraining from running for 12 weeks post-birth to avoid potential long-term problems, Learmonth also explored her own boundaries and tested what she could handle.
She emphasized that throughout her pregnancy, she made sure her heart rate never went beyond 150 beats per minute. So far, her approach seems to be paying off.
Although Learmonth admits she is not quite at her pre-pregnancy performance levels yet, she is confident she is making progress. The changes in her life, such as becoming a mother and training less, have inevitably affected her performance, but she is highly motivated to see how her body responds to a different training regimen focused on recovery.
Surprisingly, Learmonth has already seen improvements, especially in her cycling performance. She believes that her son Frederick and the hormonal changes that come with motherhood may have had a positive impact on her athletic abilities.
However, Learmonth acknowledges that returning to training after pregnancy has been more challenging than she anticipated. The logistics of feeding and napping, combined with breastfeeding, require careful planning to ensure she can balance her training with her parenting responsibilities.
Learmonth takes inspiration from other accomplished triathletes who have successfully returned to high-level competition after giving birth, including fellow Brit Vicky Holland, as well as Americans Katie Zaferes and Gwen Jorgensen.
She hopes that more research will emerge to dispel the stigma and uncertainty surrounding training during pregnancy. Learmonth aims to inspire other new mothers who aspire to return to their sports and prove that it is possible to have children and continue excelling in athletics.
As Learmonth prepares for her comeback in the indoor World Cup event in Lievin, France, at the end of March, she remains focused and determined to reach her full potential and keep her Paris 2024 Olympic dream alive.
In a sport where pushing boundaries is the norm, Jess Learmonth’s journey to reclaim her form after pregnancy demonstrates her unwavering commitment and determination to achieve greatness once again. The triathlon world waits in anticipation to see her rise to new heights and inspire others along the way.
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