Life as a Triathlete Mom
by: Steph of RunTrimMom
Believe you can and you are halfway there. I firmly believe this statement and that your mind controls the body and a lot of heart will push you to reach even the most unimaginable dreams.
My first run was almost 5 years ago in Kona, Hawaii as I was studying in an ashram to become a yoga teacher. I was slow, I did a walk/run, but that is when I discovered that I actually did like running and perhaps my running friends weren’t as crazy as I always thought them to be! I didn’t stay consistent and took a few years off until January 2013 when I decided it was time to follow my heart and sign up for a marathon. Go big or go home, right? I was 30 and having that “milestone” birthday put me in the mindset that I could and WOULD accomplish this. It took hard work, dedication, and persistence to keep going in the winter months, after I had been up all night with my children, and waking up before the sunrise to get my long run in before soccer practice. I not only completed the St. Louis Marathon in April but signed up for the Chicago Marathon as well. Now I was training through the heat and humidity but I knew what I was doing this time around. I found friends through Instagram and we joined forces to train and push each other through the race. I completed the Chicago Marathon in October and shaved exactly 30 minutes off in just six months time. Holding my boys at the finish line was one of the proudest moments of my life. Showing them that you can dream big and accomplish what you set out to do. I want them to never doubt their abilities or strength of their heart.
My life took some turns after this and I found myself a single mom. A “title” I don’t flash around because it doesn’t define me as a woman and mother but it sums up my new situation. It was at this point I believe I was divinely lead to a few individuals in the triathlon world. I have always been interested in triathlons but the swimming scared me. I can hold my own at a pool party but swimming laps, no way! I ended up talking to the head triathlon coach at my gym one day and she offered me a few swim lessons. The freedom I felt in the water and the desire to tackle this new challenge took over me. It was SO hard and I couldn’t swim a lap in the beginning but with consistency in just two months I was swimming 1.5 miles without stopping. I also at this time met a legend in the triathlon and running world who took me under his guiding hand. He is in his 80s and still competes in Kona each year at the World Championship. He taught me to swim and helped me buy a bike. Since I am a dreamer I went big and signed up for a Half Ironman this summer!!! Once again go big or go home and chase those dreams. Don’t ever settle! I have a 50k in April. 31 miles to celebrate my age, 31. So I am in deep training mode. And when I am not training I am wrestling, tackling, playing hot wheels, or snuggling my little boys.
How do I find time? Easy. I have given up everything that wasn’t important. I don’t watch any TV and in fact cut my cable. I utilize the childcare at the gym and focus hard for the time slot I have to be there. I wake up early and stay up late to meal prep for my kids and myself. I am efficient with my time. I still find time for my nightly bath and glass of wine though! I just don’t waste my time on things that don’t matter. Prioritize. I spend my energy where my passion is. My children come first, training second and everything else falls into place. Spend your energy only where your passion and heart lie. That is truly where you as a woman and mother will find the deepest joy and happiness in your life. Keep dreaming big, keep a big heart, work hard, and find out that you are truly capable of so much more then you ever imagined!
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