I want to start this blog with a term I heard not too long ago "Iron Widow". The term fascinated me. (kind of ticked me off too) I understood it, sort of. I was certain that it was indeed an appropriate term for many of the women/men married to triathletes. My dilemma while pondering this term was, why the hell are there widows/widowers out there? Seems to me that if they were participating in the wonderful adventure of Triathlons they could be called "Iron Brides" or "Iron Hubbies". After all, the only part I don't participate in is the actual training leading up to race day. I am okay with that. I am okay with it because if he is busy doing his thing, then I can do mine. I don't complain about the stinky work out clothes or the constant pile of wet towels. We should all be so lucky. It could have been lipstick on a collar or late hours with no idea of where those hours are being wasted. Geez, call me crazy but instead I have a man who cares about his future and mine. Stinky work out clothes? Nothing a capful of TIDE and a washer can't solve. Show them how to start the machine and you're golden!
Maybe I have an advantage over many of you because I do not have any children to worry about. If you have children I understand that the whole scenario changes. Still, if said athlete is out training while spouse is at home trying to maintain a house and sanity then the athlete better step up to the plate. The athlete's decision to compete does not negate their obligations at home. Training, well folks, it is a luxury. Let me say it slowly for the athletes who are high on the endorphins....Training is a luxury. After you make sure your duties are well covered at home, then you can train. All of you "Iron Widows" and "Widowers" it is just as much your responsibility to sit down and calmly explain this to your wonderful athlete. Don't assume that they should know this fact with out a little prompting. I have been married 13 years and the whole mind reading thing still hasn't caught on with my husband. As I am sure you have seen, the training is like a drug. They see nothing else before it. Set them straight. Re-Introduce them to their kids.
To give you a little background, I just finished my 2nd season of Triathlons. Talk about tough!!! I have it so tough that every 3rd weekend or so I awake at an ungodly hour only to traipse across the highways and byways of Florida for the much sought after Triathlon. Once I arrive at said destination it is all I can do to keep from bounding out of the vehicle and see if there is ANY thing I can do to assist my lovely husband. Did I mention the words ANY thing? Well, sort of.
The ungodly hour part is correct, the bounding might be an exaggeration on my part. The bit about helping my husband, well, you already know I was kidding there. No one, and I do mean NO ONE, can help a Triathlete prep. They know exactly what they need to do and exactly how to do it. I love it. A good book always comes in handy at this time. After all, it is still pitch black out and any recon I might wish to do for photo ops is at least an hour away.
So, once my Darling Clydesdale has all of his most precious belongings corralled into the transition area, my work begins. I find out where his station is, what color jersey he'll be wearing and what time his heat leaves the starting gate. At this point I wander around trying to get a feel for how the race will be mapped out. Remember folks, I am merely a spectator who bears witness with her NIKON. Running from each finish to the transition area to capture his exit for the next leg is not something I desire. A fast walk is okay, the running though, I leave that to Marc. He seems okay with that.
If any of you out there are like me and have a loved one who competes, do yourself a favor. GO. Go to the races. You will love the race if you love your athlete. There isn't a lot out there on a day to day basis that makes you feel closer and better than to see your mate succeed. Very few of us are able to see their daily accomplishments. Have you ever heard that saying" a smile is contagious"? Well, they are. My goal when I attend these races isn't only to see Marc succeed and to record those successes. It is to cheer for as many as those phenomenal athletes as I can. If you are ever at a race in Florida and hear a big mouth who you don't know cheering you on, odds are, it's me.
The athletes in these competitions work their butts off preparing for these races and yet, I see so many of them there alone. What the heck is up with their families?!? Aren't they proud of their athlete? I have never met most of these athletes and I am proud of them. I am proud of them for getting their fannies off the sofa every week to train for this huge accomplishment. I am proud of them for not choosing the easy way to get through the daily grind. I am proud of them for not giving a hoot about their "friends" and family members harassing their decision to be a triathlete. Bravo.
Boys and Girls, if your athlete has a race, you should be there. The soccer game can be skipped that morning. Shouldn't your kids be just as supportive of their parents as parents are for their kids? Bring the kids. Bring them with noise makers, pom poms, cameras and signs in tow. By the way, portable directors' chairs are the bomb for these races. Church may be the priority on your Sunday morning list. Don't you think the man (or woman) upstairs would rather see you out there on the sidelines of the race cheering for your athlete? He already knows you're devoted to him (or her). Show your devotion (loudly) for your mate. You may not be able to make every single race. That is okay. The ones you work hard to make, they're the ones that matter most. I promise that if you go to these races with an open heart and an open mind, you'll look up one day and realize that you have one more thing in common with your mate. The Races. You might also find your marriage is better with each passing race. Just remember...CHEER!!!
Blogging is hard work isn't it? I don't know where I thought I was going with this but I hope you'll bear with me. I love feedback. Those of you who agree, write all you like. Those of you who don't agree with me, you can write too. (Just send those comments to someone Else's blog.) LOL Seriously, I welcome ALL feedback. Whether you agree with me or not. Thanks for signing on and have a great season whether you are an athlete or spectator.
Di
