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.
|
|
BARBIE CUTE OUTFIT – SKIRT & TOP for MODEL MUSE DOLL $4.21 |
|
|
SEXY PINK HALTER TOP for BARBIE MODEL MUSE DOLL $4.21 |
|
|
WHITE TOP for BARBIE MODEL MUSE & FASHION FEVER DOLL $3.36 |
|
|
SEXY BLUE HALTER TOP for BARBIE MODEL MUSE DOLL $4.21 |
|
|
SEXY PINK HALTER TOP for BARBIE MODEL MUSE DOLL $4.21 |
|
|
BARBIE PINK TOP for MODEL MUSE & FASHION FEVER DOLL $3.36 |
|
|
BARBIE SEXY BLACK & PINK TOP for Model Muse Doll $4.21 |
|
|
BARBIE PINK PLAID TOP for MODEL MUSE DOLL $3.39 |
|
|
PINK TOP SKIRT HAT HEARTS BARBIE SILK STONE MODEL MUSE $0.99 |
|
|
TOP SKIRT HAT 4 BARBIE SILK STONE MODEL MUSE VINTAGE $0.99 |
|
|
TOP SKIRT HAT 4 BARBIE SILK STONE MODEL MUSE VINTAGE $0.99 |
|
|
Top Model Resort Barbie model muse doll great for OOAK $9.99 |
|
|
Top Model Resort Summer model muse doll nude for OOAK $7.99 |
|
|
2007 Mattel Barbie Top Model Muse Doll Gift Set NRFB $25.46 |
|
|
MATTEL DRESS OR TOP 4 BARBIE MODEL MUSE SILK STONE SLIM $0.99 |
|
|
*Barbie* Monte Carlo Model Muse Skirt Top Shoes Outfit $13.50 |
|
|
Top Model Barbie model muse doll nude for OOAK b/w hair $4.99 |
|
|
BARBIE CUTE OUTFIT – SKIRT & TOP for MODEL MUSE DOLL $4.95 |
|
|
BARBIE METALLIC GOLD TOP for Model Muse Doll $3.95 |
|
|
BARBIE GREEN TANK TOP for Model Muse Doll $3.95 |
|
|
BARBIE PINK PLAID TOP for MODEL MUSE DOLL $3.99 |
|
|
SEXY HALTER TOP for BARBIE MODEL MUSE DOLL $3.36 |
|
|
BARBIE SEXY BLACK & PINK TOP for Model Muse Doll $4.95 |
|
|
BARBIE METALLIC GOLD TOP for Model Muse Doll $3.36 |
|
|
BARBIE CUTE OUTFIT – SKIRT & TOP for MODEL MUSE DOLL $4.21 |
|
|
Multi Pink Green Halter Top for Barbie Model Muse $4.00 |
|
|
Multi Coral Pink Fur Jacket for Barbie Top Model Muse $4.00 |
|
|
Multi Print Purple Green Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $4.00 |
|
|
Striped Coral Knit Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $4.00 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Clothes ~ Jacket Top Pants Shoes+ $18.95 |
|
|
Top Model Muse SilkStone Doll Scarlet Red Feather Gown+ $40.00 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Doll Clothes ~ [6] Pc Fashion Set $10.00 |
|
|
RED & BLUE TOP for BARBIE MODEL MUSE DOLL $3.95 |
|
|
PINK SKIRT – BIKINI TOP -MODEL MUSE/MY SCENE BARBIE $4.99 |
|
|
TWO PIECE CASUAL TOP & JEANS-MY SCENE/MODEL MUSE BARBIE $4.99 |
|
|
LEOPARD OUTFIT-SKIRT/TOP/EARS/SHOES-MY SCENE/MODEL MUSE $12.99 |
|
|
Pink Yellow Print Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $5.00 |
|
|
Light Purple Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $5.50 |
|
|
Pink Aqua Blue Black Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $6.00 |
|
|
Fuchsia Pink Black Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $6.00 |
|
|
Turquoise Pink Purple Print Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $4.00 |
|
|
TOP MODEL PORTFOLIO NEW FOR MODEL MUSE,ALL MODEL DOLLS $4.07 |
|
|
Light Blue Silver Halter Top for Barbie Model Muse $3.00 |
|
|
Turquoise Blue Terry Halter Top for Barbie Model Muse $3.00 |
|
|
Barbie Clothes Top Model Muse Silkstone Sweater Boots $14.99 |
|
|
BARBIE SEXY BLACK & PINK TOP for Model Muse Doll $4.95 |
|
|
BARBIE SEXY BLACK & PINK TOP for Model Muse Doll $4.95 |
|
|
Model Muse Barbie Doll Faux Leather Racing Jacket & Top $10.00 |
|
|
TOP – Fashion Royalty Nu face Barbie Model Muse $3.99 |
|
|
TOP – Fashion Royalty Nu face Barbie Model Muse $3.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Teresa Doll Skirt! NEW $5.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Teresa Doll Shirt! NEW $5.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Teresa Doll Sandals NEW $3.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Summer Doll Tshirt! NEW $3.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Summer Doll Tights! NEW $4.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Summer Doll Shirt! NEW $4.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Summer Doll Sandals NEW $4.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Nikki Orange Capris NEW $5.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Nikki Doll Skirt! HTF!! $5.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Nikki Doll Shirt! HTF! $4.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Nikki Doll Sandals! NEW $4.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Nikki Doll Extensions $5.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Nikki Doll & Stand! NEW $17.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Doll Thigh-Highs! NEW $4.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Doll Shirt! NEW! HTF! $5.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Doll Sandals! NEW! HTF! $3.99 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Doll Panties! NEW $3.49 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Hair Wear Doll Extensions ++! NEW $3.99 |
|
|
Plaid Rocawear Tube Halter Top Barbie Model Muse $3.50 |
|
|
Purple Stripe Bolero T Shirt Barbie Top Model Muse $5.00 |
|
|
Nascar Dale jr Mini Dress Barbie Top Model Muse $5.00 |
|
|
Top Model Muse Barbie~NRFB~2007~ $24.95 |
|
|
Black Label Faux Leather Jacket Barbie Top Model Muse $18.00 |
|
|
Hair Wear Top Model BLONDE w- red Muse nude for ooak $13.00 |
|
|
TOP MODEL HAIR WEAR (AA) NIKKI~Model Muse Barbie~NRFB $39.99 |
|
|
White Pink Aqua Flower Halter Top for Barbie Model Muse $3.00 |
|
|
HANDMADE GOWN + JeWeLRy 4 Top Model Muse Barbie Basics $15.99 |
|
|
Barbie Model Muse Basic MOD Look Top Pants Outfit $3.29 |
|
|
Barbie Top Model Muse Resort Doll Sandals! NEW!! $5.99 |
|
|
Model Muse Barbie NEW White Pear Print Top $2.99 |
|
|
BARBIE TOP MODEL RUNWAY DOLL MUSE HAIR WEAR NEW $49.99 |
|
|
Top Model Muse ~ Urban Hipster White Halter Dress + $48.95 |
|
|
Barbie Model Muse Two Summer Outfits Dress Skirt Top $12.99 |
|
|
KM Pink Black Short Coat Barbie Top model Muse $4.50 |
|
|
Turquoise Blue Black Strapless Top Model Muse Barbie $3.50 |
|
|
Pink Black Rockstar Barbie Dress Top Model Muse Fashion $6.00 |
|
|
Barbie Model Muse Denim Shorts Halter Top Outfit $8.99 |
|
|
Barbie Model Muse Denim Skirt Top Sunglasses Outfit $9.99 |
|
|
Barbie Model Muse Jeans Halter Top Cuff Bracelet Outfit $10.99 |
|
|
SKINNYBARBIE MODEL MUSE CUTE TOP DENIM CAPRIS NEW B661 $7.95 |
|
|
Pale Pink Tulle Strapless Halter Top Barbie Model Muse $4.50 |
|
|
KM Brown Trench Short Coat Barbie Top model Muse $4.50 |
|
|
KM Brown Tweed Long Coat Barbie Top model Muse $6.00 |
|
|
KM Brown Wool Pin Stripe Pants Barbie Top Model Muse $4.00 |
|
|
KM Brown Stripe Long Dress Barbie Top model Muse $6.00 |
|
|
KM Brown Formal Dress Purse Barbie Top model Muse $6.00 |
|
|
KM Black Fleece Short Coat Barbie Top model Muse $4.50 |
|
|
BEST TOP MODEL MUSE BARBIE ACCESSORY BAG LOT $5.82 |
|
|
KM Pink Tweed Long Coat Barbie Top model Muse $5.00 |
|
|
TOP MODEL RUNWAY~SUMMER~Barbie Model Muse~4 Ooak~NRFB $34.99 |
