Oct
2012
The Significant Other During Peak Training
There are a lot of ups and downs when you date someone training for an Ironman.
During peak training, sometimes it’s just.plain.hard (not hard to love them, just hard to have a focus on the relationship). Ironman training is all consuming and requires an incredible amount of time– more than a tri, marathon, or half-ironman race (though those aren’t easy either)- and that will affect any relationship.
It’s also sometimes really great– I admire him so much for being extremely dedicated and committed to his training….and it motivates me to work harder towards my own goals. I honestly can’t wait to see him cross the finish line– already so proud of him!
Whoo Hoo, crossing the finish!
It helps that Jared’s really great about making time for me, despite his insane schedule (I basically take up every last second of his free time), we still have date nights, and he still remembers to leave me sweet notes and send me loving texts….But this whole thing is an experience for me too in ways that only other significant-others-of-Ironmen-training understand (unless both people in the relationship are training for one!). I don’t think even Jared (or anyone training) understands what it’s like for the significant other, but that’s okay– I don’t quite understand what he’s going through either.
I talked about this more here in my 10 thing to know about dating an ironman CnC post . The race is only 5 weeks away, which will fly by in no time, so I have no business harping on the hard parts. Before we know it, we’ll be back to “normal” (if normal even exists for us…..)
I couldn’t resist posting this video. Dating an Ironman is a little like this:
Okay not exxxxactly like that, but I totally related to the “I wake up at 4am” and “what do you mean you can’t go out to eat at 6pm” thing and laughed.
There are many good things about Dating an Ironman:
- As I said above, it’s incredibly inspiring and motivating to see someone so dedicated to a goal and helps me have more faith in myself and confidence in reaching my own goals.
- We get to go fun places for races (a week in AZ next month!).
- Something as simple as making him dinner is appreciated even more than normal because he’s so tired that he (not exaggerating) really wouldn’t be able to do it himself.
- It makes you value the simple things in a relationship (just having dinner together, a dog walk, etc)
- There’s an end date, peak season is not forever and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
- You’re “needed” and it’s good to be needed in a relationship (in a healthy way, of course!)
- I get more free time to work on “my” stuff and hang out with friends.
- We have pretty medals decorating the apartment
typical me on race day- tired, messy hair, I heart my Triathlete tshirt, snapping lots of pictures
The good things help balance the hard stuff
- You spend a lot of time apart and alone during peak season….aka I sometimes feel like I’m living my single life on the weekends….only not as wild and crazy.
- Even on Friday, we can’t even plan ahead to bbq on Sunday night because there’s no guarantee that he’ll be able to move from the couch and light the grill (aka, hard to plan even simple things)
- Ironman takes up 99% of his focus and thoughts.
- He eats a lot so we’re always out of food….just kidding about this one…he actually has been the one doing a lot of the grocery shopping so this isn’t really an issue.
- The alarm clock goes off at 5:30am SEVEN days a week.
- We put things that I want to do such as hiking, rock climbing wall, brunch, etc on hold until after the race (aka, I mentioned somewhere I wanted to go for brunch and we scheduled it for mid-December as the first opportunity…).
Other people who love Ironmen
So we’re in the midst of peak training… His race is (only) 37 days out and this week, I decorated our tiny apartment with Ironman/Tri/Marathon quotes. Here they are- May they inspire you through whatever your exercise is too! (feel free to subsititute “runner” “elliptical goddess”, etc for the “ironman” if you want)
***
QUOTES:
“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision.” Muhammad Ali
“If you feel bad at 10 miles, you’re in trouble. If you feel bad at 20 miles, you’re normal. If you don’t feel bad at 26 miles, you’re abnormal.” Rob De Castella, on the marathon
You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can’t know what’s coming. – Frank Shorter
“If God invented marathons to keep people from doing anything more stupid, triathlon must have taken Him completely by surprise.” -P.Z. Pearce
“This is about limits. Reaching them, exploring them, exceeding them what you thought yours were. Then coming to the conclusion that there aren’t any limits.”
“Endurance training is exactly like turning a Styrofoam cup inside out. So long as you take it slowly you’ll be able to do it. Try to rush things and “rip”….you’ll tear the cup. You are the cup.”
“Almost drowned. Crashed the Bike. Puked on the Run. When’s the next Tri?”
“don’t burn calories, incinerate them”
“There are no atheists the last eight miles of an Ironman.”
“There only three kinds of men: the living, the dead, and those who do Ironman”
“Of course it’s hard, it’s effing IRONMAN!”
Athletes (aka “bundle of nerves”) before a race
Some of the quotes make me laugh and some inspire.
In other news….The SF Giants won yesterday- I’m so excited! Bring on more playoffs! This weekend, we’re going to a wedding (fingers crossed Jared isn’t too sore/exhausted and we can stay later than 9pm) and I’m planning for lots of outdoor walk/park/etc time as well (with some 49ers vs NY Giants watching mixed in there as well!).
Big weekend plans?
What’s your favorite inspirational race quote?
23 Comments on The Significant Other During Peak Training
3Pingbacks & Trackbacks on The Significant Other During Peak Training
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[...] More on Iromman – Rebecca from Blueberry Smiles wrote a neat post about dating an Ironman. [...]
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[...] an effort to spend time with Jared during peak trainng (1 more week until taper begins!), Charlie and I went with him to the beach to hang out during his [...]
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[...] about the non-training part of Ironman life and it’s definitely been something that’s influenced me more than I would have guessed. Now, as we’re drawing to the end of it, I’m getting all [...]
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lucylovesspaghetti
October 12, 2012 at 12:10 am (220 days ago)Love this quote about incinerating calories! My husband and I are both training for IM, and it feels like forever ago that we went out for dinner/brunch/a quiet glass of wine on a Friday night. Sometimes I’m not sure whether I love the training or hate the training!
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 5:45 am (220 days ago)Haha, I’m sure everyone training feels the same way about loving and hating it! The incinerate quote is one of my favorites too
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
October 12, 2012 at 2:10 am (220 days ago)Love the quotes! Good thing you’re so supportive….that’s definitely awesome for anyone training at such a high intensity.
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 5:44 am (220 days ago)Glad you like the quotes!
Melissa
October 12, 2012 at 3:05 am (220 days ago)During my peek training for my 50 miler, when I was running 7-9 hours on the weekend plus not coming home until 7pm on week nights because of working and running…I often felt guilty but he fortunately was really supportive of me. It is comforting to know that it’s only temporary, lol. I also relate to what you’re going through to when my husband was going through his phd program (in science so he was always at the lab) and i had to fend for myself but you know what, you get through it, and it only makes you guys stronger.
I’m sure he’s incredibly thankful that he has you there for him during this hectic time but its going to be so rewarding for him (and you to see him reach that goal). Sorry for the ramble, lol.
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 5:44 am (220 days ago)Thanks for this! I like hearing similar situations and I def agree, it makes us much stronger, which is so worth it in the long run
Alex @ therunwithin
October 12, 2012 at 10:42 am (219 days ago)gosh you really do have a crazy schedule. i loved reading this though!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily
October 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm (219 days ago)Great quotes! Love the incinerating calories one
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 1:43 pm (219 days ago)I love that one too!
Natalie @ Free Range Human
October 12, 2012 at 12:30 pm (219 days ago)Wow, what an inspiration! Here’s my favorite quote :
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. ” Teddy Roosevelt
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 1:43 pm (219 days ago)THat’s a great quote!!!
eatpraytri
October 12, 2012 at 2:59 pm (219 days ago)What an incredibly cool post. Nothing compared to Paul training for his sprints. At one point I think I saw “ironman” flash in his eyes and honestly it worried me. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready for that. Of course I would support him whatever he chooses but it def affects both of us. Thanks for posting this…its very interesting to hear your perspective. Will he do another one once he is done with this one?
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 9:21 pm (219 days ago)Welll….this is his second one and he says he won’t do another one until he turns 50 (a long while away)….but I wouldn’t be entirely surprised if he does another before that. He’s already planning for half ironman races and relays and other stuff next year so it’ll never really be over, but hopefully less of a commitment…
Apples and Arteries
October 12, 2012 at 5:13 pm (219 days ago)Great post!
One of my favorite quotes: Attitude is Everything.
Enjoy the weekend.
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 9:21 pm (219 days ago)So true! My dad says that all the time. Happy weekend!!
Luv What You Do
October 12, 2012 at 8:47 pm (219 days ago)I might need to buy that shirt for my boyfriend : ) I do love the sunsets at early morning races!
Rebecca
October 12, 2012 at 9:22 pm (219 days ago)The sunrises on race day are always beautiful
jessielovestorune
October 13, 2012 at 2:00 am (219 days ago)Love this post. As much as your man inspires you, I can only imagine the inspiration you must give him. You stand beside him day in & day out, through all his tough training. You are awesome on your own girl
Brittany
October 13, 2012 at 10:32 am (218 days ago)You two are incredibly strong!! Nothing like a busy schedule to test your relationship for the long haul!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
October 15, 2012 at 12:50 pm (216 days ago)Putting inspirational quotes up; you are a total sweetheart. The video made me laugh too especially when the little robot woman dropped the Ef bomb. Hopefully you get to your wedding and you get to stay for a bit too ( past 9).
Rebecca
October 16, 2012 at 8:42 am (215 days ago)I know, the ef bomb was a little much, but i laughed too
Stacie @ Snaps and Bits
October 15, 2012 at 2:21 pm (216 days ago)I can’t imagine! But, I have a workaholic husband so some of this does apply. Glad for all you appreciate. He’s lucky to have you!
lisa
November 1, 2012 at 7:24 am (200 days ago)Sorry for commenting on this great post so late. I’m back from my honeymoon and catching up on all your posts!
If Paul ever attempts at Ironman, I hope I’ll be as supportive as you are.