Triathlon – My Muse
Why do I feel like I’m cheating on my spouse with this sport? It’s after midnight, and I’m even writing about triathlon when I should be cuddling up next to my honey. Has this sport become my mistress? It certainly seems to make my significant other jealous… beg/borrow and steal to get time to spend on my sport. I sneak away for it. I throw money at it without apology. It keeps me fit! I feel crazy if I go too long without it.
It gives me a rush. It makes me want more. Yes, I find pleasure and disappointment in it, but never boredom! I keep going back for more. I have to schedule recovery days because it’s so addictive. Yet, it helps me to find the best part of me, when it was not yet revealed.
But really, why do I love this sport, let me count the ways? It is an adventure that never has a boring moment. A golfer would understand the beauty of it because everything counts… the chain falling off and the birdie that goes in the sandbox. Takes time, money, knowledge, and some interest in being outside. Can’t cart around a cooler, but we certainly get to have some pretty spiffy water bottles.
My tri-pals’ spouses create their own tri-widowers club. Maybe if there was a country club to join and let our spouses and children play, and then we can later join them to have a refreshing drink and dip in the pool… now wouldn’t that be a hoot! But it would have to be better than the local gym right? What would this country tri-club offer that would hopefully allow triathletes to obsess yet bring our families closer. Well, that’s another article?
Am I in-love? Well, I love having tread marks on my calf… an almost permanent tattoo. I love finding a new place to sneak off to get my swim. Why all this sneaking around, you ask? Well, try having two little kids, a fulltime job as a social worker, a home, and a hearty marriage, and also be a triathlete. It takes a lot of time management, and some willingness to have your getaway plan ready at anytime. Bags packed, bike loaded, ready for action! Lunches become the perfect to getaway for a noontime run or an interval swims. If you luck out and find a job with a good location, then you can ride your bike to work. Travel arrangements can be perfectly scheduled around lakes, oceans, trails, and endless road.
Can stay at home parents do this? Ohhhh yeah, baby! Gyms now have babysitting, and the kids eventually have to go to school for some part of the day. Being a good role model is key for our children, as well as being able to keep up with this fast paced generation. As far as our spouses? They seem to like our assets!
Has it gone beyond an affair, and turned into an obsession? Let’s see…I do it. I coach it. I read about it. I eat it… but call it nutrition despite the packaging. I race direct it. I write about it. I do yoga and pilates for it. I would prefer a $5000 bike over a one carat diamond ring any day of the week. I would readily change my wedding plans to elope to get hitched at the end of the race. Tri-weddings… another article to write.
It’s definitely an obsession that only peeters out when it’s time to force yourself to take a break. Even then, you can obsess about periodization, and how to build in the perfectly timed recovery period.
It has not caused me bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, or isolation. It keeps my doctor happy with my test results. It makes me feel free and alive, and of service to the one’s I love the most. My children find ways to enjoy this sport too and they’ve done a few triathlon kids’ races. My husband prefers to be a 46er on the great High Peaks of New York State, but is my greatest fan. We often make up our own simulated triathlons with finisher medals: water balloon fights, bumper cars, and a game of kickball. Awards handed out at the ice cream stand.
I make no apologies for having this in my life.
~Jenny Stahl 8/10/2009
About the Author
Triathlete residing in NYS. Triathlon Coach. Co-race director for a USAT sanctioned race. VP of a club of nearly 200 members. Go See http://www.cdtriclub.org/ A certified spin instructor. An avid sea kayaker.
Social worker for family preservation and child protection. Mother of two beautiful children, and wife of a wonderful man who dares to love me.
Goals: USAT certification in coaching and as a race official.
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