The trisupporter community.
I have missed two out of three of my husband’s triathlons this year, which is very unusual for me. This is the same number I’ve missed in the 11 years he’s been doing triathlons. I’ve had very good reasons, but it’s been disappointing, never-the-less. I have to say I missed not being there more than I thought I would. They were both destination races, so to speak, with the last one in Frankfurt, Germany. This means he was there for quite a few days by himself.
While I know he can survive quite nicely without me, I think I do tend to have a calming pre-race influence on him and at least keep his mind occupied on other things besides the task at hand. Okay, I do TRY my best and every once in a while we argue about something, but I still think he’d agree. Hey, doesn’t this count for keeping his mind off the race? I do have to laugh, however, as he qualified for both world championships at these races!!! I’m not sure if he’s figured this one out yet. At least he hasn’t asked me NOT to attend any others…..
While I may not have been there yelling, “ride faster Carl” (sometimes he just needs inspiration to pick up the pace), my husband was never alone on the course. Fellow trisupporters took him under their wings and became his cheering section! They texted me with how he was feeling, how he was doing, and even sent me pictures. Now, that’s what I call a trisupporter community!
Texting between triwves…
It got me thinking about other ways we support each other, whether at home or at a race. Having a triathlete as a partner is not always an easy lifestyle and we need to be kind to and be there for each other. I now have a lot of friends whose husbands or partners are triathletes, so it’s helped to know misery loves company at times! Here’s my list, but I’d love to hear ways you’ve supported a fellow triwife. I have to say with all sincerity, I’m so proud to be one of you…..
- As noted above, taking the lone triathlete under your wing. Becoming his cheerleader, taking pictures, and keeping the triwife updated on how he’s doing.
- Being happy to listen when your fellow triwife has to vent, because she’s left taking the kids to the soccer game alone AGAIN on the weekend, while he’s off on a 4-hour bike ride.
- Being the shoulder to cry on and the hand to hold when your friend’s husband has been hit by a car on his bike.
- Sharing your shady spot on the bike course on race day with a total stranger or offering them your suntan lotion when they have none (newbie mistake).
- Being a babysitter when your friend just needs a weekend getaway with her triathlete.
- Planning a girl’s weekend getaway with fellow triwives and anyone else who wants to tag along and promising NOT to talk “triathlon”.
- Offering to host the triclub’s post-season party, because the other wives are a bit overwhelmed.
- Starting this blog to offer an outlet for other trisupporters and to help make their lives easier.
- Having your teen kids babysit for your friend’s toddlers during a full-distance Ironman to give her a break.
- Being truly happy for your friend whose husband gets to go to Kona when your’s doesn’t this year.
- Sharing your tips or knowledge with your trisupporter friends; be it packing tips or budgeting for a race.
- And, this one goes out to the triathlete supporting his triwife – When she couldn’t be at the race, he took pictures and promoted her blog in her absence even better than she could. Thanks trihubby….
The next time you’re at a race and see a trisupporter standing there by herself, start a conversation and invite her to hang with you for a while. It could be her first race or 15th, but just remember we are our own trisupporter community and need to support each other.
– SHERRY
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT FELLOW TRISUPPORTERS OR HOW HAVE THEY SUPPORTED YOU?
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Sherry is one of the TriWivesClub and LifeDoneWell co-founders and contributes to multiple blogs. She is a former co-owner of the California Apparel News and had a career in the healthcare industry. Her passions include traveling, real food, the environment, and animal rescue/welfare. She lives a healthy lifestyle and has been a vegetarian since 1987. She and her husband are parents to two rescue pups and reside in Connecticut.
Sherry, That was a great article. Like I said before, I only joined the triathlon world two months ago, but I am hooked. My boyfriend is from Lake Placid and did two races there, but is skipping this year’s because he has one in NH coming up. He will be a volunteer at one of the aid stations, though and I signed up to be one at his race in August. I am working the day of the Lake Placid IM (darn medical field mandatory weekends!) but I live about an hour away if anyone is interested in out-of-town activities. It would be amazing to meet some like-minded people. Feel free to e-mail me if you need a contact in LP. I am sure my bf will be more than happy to help. I became aware of the bikers on the roads and even stopped by and shared one of my water bottles with one the other day 🙂 I am definitely grateful for this site as I found plenty of info on life with/as triathletes. Thank you, again! I will be a volunteer and I promise to cheer on everyone at the NH’s 70.3. I can share my newbie impressions with you all here after I get back.
Hi Anna. Will add your 2 ways we support each other to my list: being a volunteer at a race and being a friend to a cyclist on the road. I’m doing our Food & Fun Lake Placid piece right now for this week. We’ve been there multiple times, but would appreciate any “favorites” from the locals for our list. Really look forward to hearing about your experience. Take it all in and just have fun! Being a volunteer is a great way to not feel alone and meet like-minded people. Good choice.
I will email you some of our faves some time tonight.
Perfect. Thanks so much.
I never thought of people supporting triathletes as a community, but why not. Totally agree we need to be there for each other. I will be more aware of those around me at a race from now on. Thanks.
I really hadn’t either, Marlene, until recently. I love that you will be more aware of fellow trisupporters. Great take away from the article. Thank you.