Schleper, Bascio balancing training with motherhood

For most athletes, spring is a time to focus on training for the upcoming season. But for two U.S. Ski Team athletes, this spring has brought something special. Sunday, three-time Olympian Sarah Schleper and the U.S. disabled cross-country team’s Monica Bascio will celebrate their first Mother’s Day as mothers.

Schleper, who gave birth Jan. 30 to her son Lasse Gaxiola, is looking forward to spending her first Mother’s Day with a few special people.

“I will be with Lasse and my mom and my mother-in-law on Sunday,” Schleper said. “Celebrating from the other side is a totally new experience. I think the first Mother’s Day is the most special.”

Bascio was paralyzed in a downhill skiing accident as a teen. She is a world champion hand cyclist and an occupational therapist. She gave birth to her son Henry Lane, now 10 months old, last July 8. She also will be spending her first Mother’s Day with her son and mother-in-law.

“My mother-in-law has come out to visit so we’re going to do a joint celebration and go to the park. That’s Henry’s highlight of the day — going to the park,” Bascio said.

Bascio and Schleper both took the 2008 season off for the birth of their children, but are now back in pursuit of success as they head into a busy training season. This summer they will be gearing up for the rigorous 2009 race season as well as preparing for the 2010 Vancouver Games.

“Balance is the key word. I need to be doing the things that I need to do to get strong and fast and get my training in while making sure I get my bonding time in with Lasse and that he feels loved,” Schleper said.

“I wish someone could give me the handbook on it cause it’s really hard. It’s hard to do the time management thing,” Bascio added. “I wasn’t so great at it before and now the demands are shifted. It’s not unlike my disability. Things are just different. You have to be really flexible.”

“I really embrace the opportunity to be everything and go above and beyond not only as a mother, but in a balanced lifestyle as an athlete,” said Basico.

Despite the demands of being a U.S. Ski Team athlete in addition to being a new mom, both Bascio and Schleper are looking forward to their children watching them compete. They hope their children will eventually appreciate the sacrifices they made to be both a mother and athlete.

“In the nearer future, I think as a toddler he might enjoy coming with my husband to the events and being a part of the competitions,” Bascio said. “I like to think that down the road he will be proud that I was able to commit not only to him but to my training as an athlete who maintained an elite level.”

“He probably won’t remember the experience, but in 2010 I hope that he’s in the finish cheering for me,” Schleper said.