I threw it out there the other day that 2015 would be the year of the tri for me. Well “a” tri. We’re not talking anything huge, just a tiny little sprint. When Espirit de She contacted me to be an Ambassador again this year, I figured, why not take the plunge…literally….and do the tri instead of the 5k or 10k? So plunge I did.
If you remember, I started swimming earlier this year. And I’m still alive and kicking. The swimming pretty much stopped when marathon training began, but no worries, I’m getting back to it.
So I was a little shocked by the Caveman’s response when I told him my plan. He’s usually so supportive. But this time not so much.
He stopped short of saying I might die, but he basically verbalized all the fears that rattle around in my own head. Well they used to, anyway. Because now I really think I CAN swim enough to manage a tri. I’m not saying I’ll finish on the podium. A simple finish alive, breathing and maybe smiling will be plenty for the girl who was fished out of a Disney water park pool by a lifeguard with a long pole…
Who knows? Maybe he’s right and I’ll completely wig out in open water. But I’ll practice and see and if that’s the case I’ll pass on the tri. But there’s a part of me that knows. KNOWS I can.
How do handle it when people are not so supportive? Did you enter my giveaways here and here?
dont be me.
when people do not support me or are not supportive I HARNESS THAT STUFFS to propel me onward 🙂
You can so do the swim! My first tri (Iron Girl) I lived through the swim, killed it in the bike, and had an average run. Things to do for sure: practice in open water. As many times as you can. Just get out and swim for 20-30 minutes in open water. If you can do group OWS, even better. Get a wet suit. Right off the bat. It will help your buoyancy like you won’t believe. Race day: warm up in the water ahead of time. Even for 5 minutes. Start near the back on the side of the pack so you have your own space to get into your groove. Swim with your head up and out of the water until the initial “washing machine” at the start is over. Practice head up in the pool. Practice sighting every few strokes even in the pool. You will do fine:)
The swim as bad as people make it out to be. You have to remember to breathe, most people freak out because they forget to exhale and inhale on the swim.
I think the concerns from your husband is from recent news of athletes passing away on the swim. The articles I have read, these were due to cardiac arrest during swim. Here is a good article about everything
http://www.endurancecorner.com/Larry_Creswell/triathlon_death
That’s a tough one. I think it is natural for him to be nervous about the tri. You might tell him more about the actual event which is very friendly for newbies and about what you are doing to prepare.
The husband was not super keen on my middle of the night ultra but in the end, he thought it was pretty bad-ass.
That is something tough to deal with but you know what you are capable of working towards more than anyone else. And its a great goal to work towards, even if it doesn’t happen as soon as you like! I think sometimes people who care about us try to protect us without realizing that they may be holding us back. You know what is realistic for you!
My husband was that way with my first half marathon. I ignored him and I was right. I could.
Sounds like my husband when I told him I was going to run my first half marathon. {What???} I think they have to get used to the idea. You will practice and you will do great…and he’ll realize what a rock star you are.
I am signing up for a sprint tri this summer and I am really anxious to swim in the open water!
I’m sorry you’re not getting the support you’d like–that has to be hard. As someone who’s done tris for years, I want to say you are going to be fine. If there’s any chance of doing a practice swim in open water, do it, just to make yourself more comfortable. But even if you don’t get that chance, you’ll be fine, trust me!
I’m not much of a swimmer. But you CAN do anything you put your mind and body to. I would take a lot of satisfaction in surprising anyone who didn’t think I was up for a challenge. Go for it, Marcia!
Plenty of advice is out there on how to handle the open water swim (spoiler: it’s not that big a deal once your in the water).
I bet you’re going to kick ass! I’ve always been curious about triathlons myself but am deathly afraid of biking:)
When people think I am nuts, it usually just motivates me to prove them wrong!
Sorry to hear he wasn’t supportive but like you said if you know you can, then you will. My husband doesn’t always support me with my running or fitness goals- He has never even been to one of my races! I am used to it by now but when I really think about it, I know it’s a little strange. I just keep chuggin along 😉
How do I deal with people who aren’t supportive?
Heck, sometimes I’m not very supportive of myself – you hinted at that since the Caveman voiced your own fears.
A sprint tri is totally doable. So impressive that you qualified for Boston at your second marathon. I mean crazy impressive.
I’ve never done a tri, but my wife has, and yeah, people kinda whack at you in the water, which she says is frustrating. Best of luck training for it! Tony
I’m sorry you didn’t get the support you’d hope for, but please don’t let that stop you! How long do you have until your tri? Hopefully your husband will come around as you get into your training. Cheering you on over here 😉
those are my fears for the TRI, too. I usually get more pushback from my family- they don’t get why i spend so much $$ traveling and running but i’ve learned to ignore it. hopefully the hubs will see how much you will KICK A at this race!!
When people doubt me, it only makes me that more determined. Practice, practice, practice. AND get in open water before the race. You WILL do it.
It’s hard when we don’t get the support we want. My hubby will sometimes remind me that 26.2 miles is too far (and he’s the one who’s been running since high school) … and then I feel like a crazy person. Then I touch base with other female runners and feel normal again 😉 You are a strong woman and I have no doubt based on your achievements that you will be just fine!
I am really excited to hear how you do. Conquering something that may be out of our element can be trying but also extremely rewarding.
I usually get mad and want to prove people wrong when they don’t support me. It’s probably not the healthiest reaction…
Becky I totally get the ‘fueled by non-supporters’ thing and think that’s great. But in this case he usually IS very supportive. I know he’s truly afraid for me. And he has a good friend who got a brain injury from a bike accident. But still…maybe he needs to get used to the idea.
Awwwww…he LOVES you!
I don’t think he’s being UNsupportive…just lovingly worried 🙂
I give you a lot of credit for tri-ing (see what I did there…). I thought briefly, a few years ago, that I could learn to swim, but nope, not so much. Plus I’m scared to death of the open water swim. I’ll stick to waterskiing, thank you very much!!
My husband tolerates my running activities. He can be supportive…at times. But when he is, it’s surprising and shocking! Like after Chicago…when I called him with my finish time, he was surprised and proud. It made me happy. I think he doesn’t want to see me sad when I don’t meet my expectations.
You can do it!! Just practice in open water before the race so that you get a feel for that too, it is different than the pool. On race day, if you aren’t feeling that confident, line up in the back so that you aren’t mixed in with the masses. It will be a lot calmer back there and just take your time. I know you can do it!
I am pretty sure you can do anything you set your mind to doing. Perhaps he is being over-protective.
I know you can do this!! You are one of those people who is srtong and can do anything that you set out to do!!!
You will totally be fantastic and take the pool by storm! Just believing in yourself is half the battle! :)-Ashley
I say if you want to do it go for it, he is probably just worried because he loves you.
Of course you can do it. If you believe that you can and you train for it you’ll get it done. I saw Andrea (Age Group Rocks) go from an almost non-swimmer to doing tris in her 50’s and if she can you can.
Awesome! If I can do it, you definitely can;) I do not swim. I try to ignore people when they aren’t supportive. Sounds like your husband is just concerned for your safety more than thinking you can’t do it.
Wow, I am really surprised he said those things! You are someone who puts your mind to something and does it! You will train for open water and do your best at it! You’ll survive AND have fun! 🙂