What’s it like to live with a Rock Star Athlete?

Only one word to sum that up. Amazingfunhumiliatingexileratingconfusingenvious!
Not all of us have the physical ability to perform as others do. Example being a Clydesdale probably is not going to have the same ability to run as someone weighing 160# with the same height and age. Subtracting that factor, I have the pleasure of witnessing what superior athletes do, which makes what they do seem easy.
  • Hard working. The athletes realize they are parents, spouses, housekeepers, (multiple) job holders that realize they must do those things and still train. Sleep becomes the option. Her IPhone does not have a snooze button in it like my Samsung does. I don’t get it.
  • Determined. There is that “be nice to everybody” spirit and attitude balanced with never, never quit or give up. Always push beyond uncomfortable and be happy about it. I do not get that.
  • Balanced. Life is not all about the race or training. Parties, travel, turning off the TV and “making” others do things like play games fun! I know people that quit their day jobs to win Kona spots, but it is as or more important to have a fun life than race and train continually. Confusing.
  • Hungry. Being the family chef, keeping up with food consumption (not to mention the weekly run to Costco for more food) is taxing! At restaurants I have heard comments from the servers like “who is going to eat all this food?” I will point to her, she will smile and nod. After saying “grace” she digs in hard and is proud of it.
  • Busy. There are a lot of components to life in general and adding in “just one more event” means either subtracting time from other parts of life or my personal favorite, compacting, streamlining and simplifying things to go more efficiently.
  • Tired. How many meaningful conversations happen in the car with exhausted athletes? It’s called carcolepsy. Look it up…it’s on google! That makes me more than a pack mule, but a sher-pillow, half Sherpa, half pillow.
  • Expensive. Shoes. Clothing. Bike parts. Race fees. Travel. Sometimes text alerts from the bank blow my phone up. Often that is how I find out we signed up for another race.
  • Humble. Bragging is not bragging if you can prove it. However, most athletes are kind, gracious, interested in others, and are not arrogant. I personally need to work on that one.
  • Close network of fellows. Great athletes are surrounded by people that support them knowing they cannot do it alone. They’re our suppliers, drivers, mechanics, race volunteers (thank you all!). Then there are the spouses and families who take our crazy antics on the chin. And the best part, a group of like-minded people that show up consistently to train with you. It is not always easy to get up and get going, but knowing someone is waiting at the door helps.63102_4548777211833_406176066_n

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