Single, 20-Something, And Tri-Ing – A Social Life

Lindsay’s back with the fourth installment in her series, Single, 20-Something, and Tri-ing.  She’s already kept you informed AND entertained with her takes on Dating, Roommates, and Budgets – Part 1 and Part 2 .  Now, she’s sharing with you what it’s like to be a triathlete at her age, while trying to maintain some sort of a social life.  Enjoy as she takes you behind the scenes of this lifestyle…

Finally.  The big one.  A social life.  Often times, I feel like all I do is sleep, swim, shower, sprint, and spin.  Mix in a job and a boyfriend and a dog…. And, your friends will stop trying to call you because they know you’re too busy or you have to workout or you can’t be out late or you can be out late, but you can’t drink, blah blah blah.  You find yourself missing your gal pals and your social life.  It may seem impossible, but you can remain a social animal while drinking the triathlon gatorade!  It’s taken some trial and error, but I’ve figured out what works and finally feel balanced.  I know you can, too…

Here are my tips for maintaining a social life, even in phase 3 of 70.3 training:

SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE, AND SCHEDULE AGAIN

Being a triathlete really dictates that you have and maintain a training schedule, especially as you get close to a race.  You have to do the same thing if you want to make and keep friends.  It’s impossible to go out with friends on a whim when you already were heading out for a night run or skipped the morning swim, knowing you could slip it in the evening.

If you plan a girl’s night or a dinner with your co-worker pal, it’s easier to fit in your workouts and manage your time better to accommodate fun.  I also try and plan my dates with friends when I’m not in the middle of phase 3 training for a race (which lasts a month or 2 tops).  That way, the pressure is off and I can enjoy their company and whatever we’re doing.

HAVE FUN AND WORKOUT WITH FRIENDS!

My best friend Mary and I swim together (she’s Olympic swimmer status, so she kicks my butt and pushes me in the pool!) and we are sure to fit in a long kick set to gossip and get a pedicure after our workout to reward ourselves.  Another girlfriend joins me for my booty-shaking hip-hop class.  My guy friend rides with me, then we have lunch at his work (Dream Works for lunch, heck yes!).  My boyfriend lifts and runs, does acroyoga with me, the list goes on.  What’s great is I keep them in check and they love that.  I’m their permanent workout buddy!  Plus, it makes it fun!

LIVE A LITTLE

Don’t be afraid to indulge or be young and stay out until 4 am or take a girl’s trip to Vegas and only get 1 run in while you’re there.  Obviously, not everyday, but life is about balance.  If you’re only triathaloning, then you’re off balance.  Invite your friends to a race even!  They may have fun being foolish with a cowbell and making stupid signs and having a cold one, while they wait for you to shuffle by :).  Then, you can all get massages afterward –  haha.

I recently had a girls’ sleepover night at my house.  Now, when was the last time you did that?!  We made homemade pear basil pizza, included our doggies in the fun, had a clothing swap, and oh, did I say had candy…This event was a perfect example of planning.  I made a Facebook event a month in advance.  This way, not only did I know way in advance that I wouldn’t be doing a morning workout the next morning, it also allowed my guests to relax and not worry about how my schedule would affect our night.  So really, planning ahead is a win for both sides.

I really hope these tips help you find and maintain that balance in your life that being young and single mandates.  We triathletes may be annoying, but we also come with a lot of positive attributes, too…

Keep being young, wild, and free, you sexy, single, 20-something trident triathlete you. And, go PR on the course and in life.

 Xo – LINDSAY

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A SOCIAL LIFE AS A TRIATHLETE?

WHAT TRICKS HAVE YOU LEARNED TO MAINTAIN BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE?