pregnancy – FasterSkier

On Pregnancy, Postpartum Recovery, and NCAA Ski Coaching: Eliška Albrigtsen (Part 2)

Part 1 of this story details Eliška’s experience coaching through pregnancy and the birth of her son. Keep reading to learn about the challenges she, like many women, experienced during the postpartum recovery process, and what it took to navigate year one of life on the road with baby Viggo. Expectation versus reality. When preparing to interview Eliška Albrigtsen about her experience pairing NCAA coaching with new motherhood, I expected the challenges she faced during...

Community Feature Resources Training

On Pregnancy, Postpartum Recovery, and NCAA Ski Coaching: Eliška Albrigtsen (Part 1)

Rachel PerkinsMay 8, 2022

While skimming through the extensive photo albums shared by Tobias Albrigtsen during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Soldier Hollow this past January, one head coach caught my attention. University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) head coach Eliška Albrigtsen (Tobias’ wife) had an extra member of the team in tow: her then 11-month-old son, Viggo. As most ski coaches know all too well, the demands of the job are multifactorial, and can make it challenging...

Multimedia Nordic Nation Podcasts

Nordic Nation: Moms Matter Now with Holly Brooks and Calisa Kastning

Rachel PerkinsSeptember 27, 2021

In this episode, we discuss the topic of maternal mental health with Holly Brooks and Calisa Kastning. On Mother’s Day, the partners announced the launch of their passion project, Moms Matter Now with the aim of supporting and empowering women as they transition into motherhood. For those unfamiliar with these names, Brooks is a two-time Olympian and U.S. Ski Team alumna who became a licensed professional counselor after retiring from professional skiing in 2016....

Community General Interviews Lifestyle Resources

First Tracks as a New Parent: Caitlin Gregg [Part 1]

Rachel PerkinsAugust 13, 2019

The “First Tracks” series highlights the pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting experiences of noteworthy athletes in cross-country skiing in various stages of their professional careers. The sharing of these experiences can benefit athletes in any stage of their career, whether they are an elite or recreational skier, by demonstrating that it is very possible to return to skiing, competition, and an active lifestyle with a growing family. The series will include the physical challenges of being...

Community Lifestyle Resources

First Tracks as a New Parent: Holly Brooks [Part 1]

Rachel PerkinsJuly 18, 2019

The “First Tracks” series highlights the pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting experiences of noteworthy athletes in cross-country skiing in various stages of their professional careers. The sharing of these experiences can benefit athletes in any stage of their career, whether they are an elite or recreational skier, by demonstrating that it is very possible to return to skiing, competition, and an active lifestyle with a growing family. The series will include the physical challenges of being...

General Interviews Lifestyle US Ski Team

Randall to Resume Training, Cautious but Excited: ‘I Feel Refreshed’

Alex KochonMay 31, 2016

On Wednesday, June 1, U.S. Ski Team veteran Kikkan Randall plans to resume training, six weeks after giving birth to her first child. While she's admittedly antsy, she also knows it's wise to ease back into things with a goal of peaking for 2017 World Championships. “I’m really curious to see how it feels,” she said of racing. “My body is refreshed from a little break, my mind is refreshed and that could open totally new doors.”

General Interviews Lifestyle Training US Ski Team

Weeks Away from Due Date, Randall Talks About Her Return to Racing

BrainspiralMarch 7, 2016

One name notably absent from the World Cup results this year is Kikkan Randall. As the U.S. Ski Team veteran nears the due date of her first child, she talks about pregnancy, training and how next season might look. "We'll go over to Europe early next year as a family," she explains. "While it’s a lot to figure out, we've got some time and we've got some good options."

General Interviews News Podcasts

Randall Talks Baby and Future Plans in FS Podcast Exclusive

Jason AlbertOctober 17, 2015

The day after Kikkan Randall announced she was pregnant with her first child, FasterSkier caught up with the four-time U.S. Olympian and 2013 world champion on the phone. Listen to the full-length interview here.

General News

Marit the Mom: Before and After Baby

BrainspiralSeptember 9, 2015

Due with her first child in December, Marit Bjørgen has found that life has changed slightly so far, but anticipates a comeback 10 weeks after birth. “I hope to be back as early as March,” she said at a team training camp in Italy.