But no one also said it would be this hard.
I’ll paint you a picture of my trilife.
On a weekend, I typically wake around 6, when my littlest (4months) starts giggling away (if not earlier!). The largest (4 years) typically then climbs into our bed about 7am. By 7.30 I’m fighting for covers, which now seems to have turned into a full blown WWF match up and I’m grateful we don’t have a four poster bed as I think he’d come flying at me from the “ropes” given the chance.
If by some miracle the littlest hasn’t awoken too early, I sneak out of the bedroom, tip toe past the eldest’s room, into the spare room to my already laid out kit for that mornings activity. (Today it was the bike). I creep down the stairs, knowing exactly which steps to miss to avoid any unneeded noises as the waking hour is a very sensitive time and the slightest noise of anything could see the whole house explode into life! Fortunately, with the cat, I only have to feed her and she lets me go about my routine.
All geared up, water bottles filled, text messages sent to TriPals (never call… We all have kids, this is our precious time) we all simultaneously head out the door on a training ride.
This is the best bit. The city still sleeps. The kids still sleep (as far as I’m concerned they could be wide awake by now, but I’ve got about another hour of saddle time). The roads are fairly empty. The bike lanes only have a few stragglers doing the walk of shame from the night before. And you’re chatting with your pals, nodding to strangers out at the same time, probably escaping their own silent houses and you’re training.
You return home, tiptoe through the door not knowing the status of the dormant volcano of life that is my family. If you’re lucky, they’re still asleep or just about opening eyes, so you can shower in peace post ride. Alas this time, the littlest was still asleep with wifey but the boy (eldest) wanted to get up. So quick shower, followed by a large breakfast for two. Wake up the rest of the family, get out for the day.
Meeting up with pals, we go for a walk on the beach. A climb over some rocks. Some running back and forth from the surging surf. One or two games of chase. Some running behind scooters. Some getting run over by scooters. Some more rock clambering. Pebble throwing into the sea.
In the end, we reach the ice cream stop (it is summer).
Looking at my watch, I am told we’ve already walked about 6km. And that was only on the way there. The way back, there were slightly less detours at our children’s demands (tired legs!) but, the inevitable “I’m tired daddy, can I have a carry?” Came simultaneously from each kids mouth.
Up goes child onto shoulders for the next few kilometres home.
Note… often, this happens before lunch or before those of you without wee nippers have even contemplated what’s for lunch. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not winging, I’m just giving you insight into a parents training schedule.
Lunch eaten, naps had, afternoon plans made. If I’m lucky I get an hour in here for most likely a run, but my legs are already tired from the long bike in the morning and the walk out and back with weights (children) on shoulders. I tell myself it will feel worse after the actual bike on the full tri… So I head out the door.
Run finished, reasonably good time done, quick shower… And it’s time for round two! No rest for the wicked as the kiddos want to do something. It could be in the garden, the park or just playing with toys / drawing / quiet time (what even is that?!) we want to do something with them and I’m determined to prove that I can do my training and keep up the fun with the fam…. Even if all I really want to do is eat and sleep!
Dinner time comes and it’s like feeding time at the zoo. The scariest bit is I see my boy eating a proportional size similar to me… We are both recovering from a busy day and get back to our lovingly prepared troughs that wifey has made.
Bed time for boys. Sofa and a film for us. It’s no lie, I don’t think I’ve watched the end of a single movie yet this year as I’m already asleep, so I’m told, not long after the opening credits have finished.
Please note, this is a good day. Two sessions In one day (on a weekend) are something of a treasure. Normally it’s an early start for a swim/bike/run (which my family are amazingly supportive of!) and the rest of the day is spent with my famalam. And why not enjoy that too? Clearly we cover the miles!
My point? I’d love to be able to stick to one of the many training plans I’ve poured my eyes over, but sometimes, you just can’t. And I’m ok with that. I do what I can, when I can and sometimes have to push that little bit harder in one session rather than over two with my goal still being getting over that finishing line running.
I will follow this up with a bit of a day in the life style blog about how I do this around work, but what I’m getting at, is that if I can still somehow manage to train… So can you!
You’ve got to work around your schedule and squeeze in what you can. But and it is a big but, make sure you also take the recovery time you deserve. It doesn’t matter if your an elite level athlete or a first timer, but take that recovery time not just for your body, but for your friends & family that are helping you getting to triday!
The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far? Enjoy it.