SHOULD TRIWIVES HAVE THEIR OWN RACE SEASON?

With my husband getting back in the triathlon game, race season has started for him. The kids are now young adults, off on their own journeys. But, I’m at home, left to my own devices and wondering if I’m being left behind…

While my family is all off to new phases in their lives, I’m feeling a little stuck in the old. Nothing really is changing for me in the near future. Trust me, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. I love my sometimes mundane life, but it makes me question if I need a “season”, too. Do I need a bit of revival or is the present enough?

I’m coming off having spent a wonderful triathlon season off with my family, especially my trihubby, so maybe that’s why I’m feeling a bit more melancholy. We were able to just hang out and do things together we don’t ordinarily have the chance to when he’s training and haven’t done in years. We were a couple again and actually had most meals together, even dining out a lot, not worrying about what “we” ate or drank! We met the kids along the way and got to participate in their new lives. I was very happy.

So, while I’m excited they are all entering a a new “season”, I’m asking “What about me?” Right now, this time of the year for me means:

• My trihubby is back to regular workouts and all that entails (you know what I’m talking about).
• We’ll remain apart for long periods of time.
• I’ll have to fill said alone time.
• There will be no more family group activities for awhile.

Reluctantly, yet resignedly at the same time, I have to accept the inevitable and say this is all okay. All good things must come to an end for other good things to move in. Right? The twins are laying the groundwork for an unlimited world of opportunity to lead them down many great paths and being back to race season workouts keeps my trihubby happy and healthy. He is energized, engaged, and enjoying life. And, hey, I will also get to see old friends and make new ones when I go with him to the races.

But, at the same time, I have to admit that another factor in my “season” thought processes is that after all these years of being the supportive triathlete partner, it’s not new anymore. In all honesty, my husband’s race season holds less excitement for me now and I know what to expect and how to cope. But, that’s okay and how it should be. It’s just a different experience being the “old” triwife and not the newbie.

So, as I deal with the twins living thousands of miles away and David back to the world of triathlons, I will treasure the time the four of us had together and look forward to what the rest of this year has in store. Luckily, I have options for my own “season”.

I can learn something new, like speaking Spanish. I can bone up my skills in something I already love to do, like food and wine. I can amp up my workouts and really make this the year I get back in great shape. I can do more volunteer work, finding new organizations that need help or spending more time at the Omaha Zoo. I can actually learn what SEO means and how to apply it for my work. Whew!

But, on this gorgeous spring morning in Omaha, I’m taking my cup of tea, curling up on the sofa with the morning sun and the pups, fondly remembering the last year, and pondering all my options for this very important question. I’ll get back to you……

Do you have a “season” when your triathlete starts theirs?