Alison Peasgood on life, training and racing as a new mum.

Alison Peasgood will make her return to racing this Friday, after welcoming son Logan last August. She will toe the line at the World Triathlon Para Series Devonport, Australia.

We caught up with Alison to discuss her journey over the last 7 months, as she returned to training and prepares to attempt to qualify for a third Paralympic Games this summer.

Did you continue to train during your pregnancy? If so, what changes did you make?

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I discussed it with one of the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) doctors, Kate Strachan. She advised I could train as normal so long as I kept my heart rate below 85% of my max.

I was able to keep swimming and cycling throughout, only making some modifications towards the end. In the swim I found I needed to use fins or do more pull, and cycling I had to adjust the handlebars on my bike to allow me to sit up more. I kept running until I was about 32 weeks pregnant, when it started to get a little uncomfortable.

I actually found the hardest bit was keeping my heart rate low enough. I’d get really hot so would have ice down my top. Even in winter, you’d have me running in shorts and a t-shirt with my ice, while Brooke (guide) and Jack (coach) were in leggings and long sleeves. I also used a Lever to allow me to offset my body weight and run at a quicker pace for the heart rate.

How have you found returning to training after your pregnancy? Are you doing anything differently to before?

It has been such a journey so far. Logan’s arrival wasn’t smooth sailing for me (a story for another day), so it took longer to get going. I worked closely with my physio to get strong enough to start exercising, with a huge focus on my core and pelvic floor. Swimming and cycling came first before gradually introducing running via walking, the cross trainer, Lever and, eventually, outdoor running.

The biggest barrier has been childcare. With my coach also being my husband, I can’t just leave Logan with his dad and go to the group sessions, so everything takes a bit more planning. Logan’s sleep has been up and down, so sometimes I have to be adaptable with my bike sessions if I haven’t had much sleep. However, when I manage to get a session done when I’m exhausted it makes me feel like a superwoman.

Who has helped support you during your pregnancy and post-partum journey?

My husband, Jack, has been my biggest support throughout, from getting up at every feed in the early days, to lifting and changing Logan when I was too dizzy, planning and adapting all my training and just being my biggest cheerleader. Both our families have also been a huge help with childcare. When Jack was away at races near the start, different members of my family would come keep me company which I loved.

I’ve been working closely with my physio, Gemma Jefferson, who has been able to feed into my whole British Triathlon support network. I’m the first British paratriathlete to go through this journey and I really appreciate all the staff taking their time to research and ask around to help support me in the best way possible. There is also an UKSI athlete Whattsapp group which has been great sounding board when I have questions.

Do you have any goals for 2024 and beyond – racing or otherwise?

I would love to qualify for a third Paralympic Games alongside my guide Brooke. It feels like a huge undertaking at the moment so I’m taking each day as it comes. Racing this weekend is super early as I’m only just running outside, but it’s nice not having any pressure on myself. Whatever happens this year, I’m a mum to the most amazing wee boy and ultimately that’s all that matters.

You can follow the action from Devonport on TriathlonLive.

Race details:
Friday 15 March
Devonport, Australia
Racing starts from 03:30 GMT (14:30 local time), with the women’s PTVI category due to begin at 03:39 GMT.