Balancing It All

Like most people I have had times where it has been difficult to balance life- family, work, exercise, food, rest, and fun.  But over the past few years I have been striving for more balance in my life.  This isn't easy when training for an Ironman.  
Let's face it I don't intend on being the first person to finish- I do intend on finishing, which takes training, dedication, and time.  All things that other parts of my life like family and work take as well.  So how do we balance these things out while working towards our goal.  
1) We train as a part of normal life.  Granted we have been out of our normal grove lately (but getting back there).  Since we have the expectation that we are going to train it is not a surprise, instead it is scheduled "me time" or "us time"  (swimming is full on "me time"; biking is normally "us time"; running can be either depending on my mood).  One of the nice things about racing together is we can train together, giving us time to just be in the smae space enjoying the similar experiences. 

Patrick with the Nephews

2) We understand life happens.  Sometimes work starts early or runs long.  Sometimes a friend needs you.  Sometimes your head aches.  Sometimes you need a hug.  All of these things come above a run or a bike or a swim.  The training will be there but it isn't more important than any person in our lives.  There are times when this is difficult to give up a run but we try to figure out a different time to get in our distance; we always step back to evaluate the moments.  Yes, we have missed things.  Yes, we have been late to things.  Yes, we have fallen asleep at things (well, Patrick has).  But I don't think anyone will say that we cared more about the miles than we did about them.  

Izzy's Canine Good Citizen Achievement

Learning About Dolphins

3) We surround ourselves with people who get it.  You don't have to train for an Ironman to understand how big it is or how much time it takes.  In fact if we look over our friends we know only a handful who have completed or competed in an Ironman; our friends come from all walks of life, but they get it.  And what they "get" is that this is important to us.  Therefore, it is important to them.  Together we all experience different challenges in life and together through sharing our challenges and efforts we grow to be better people. 
4) We try.  Everyday we try.  It may not be a good day at work, we may have a fight, it may be raining- but we honestly try.  What do we try at?  Being balanced, being better, being stronger, being happy.  

We have chosen to not just commit ourselves to the process of Ironman.  Instead we want to be able to look back and not have missed life while we trained, because what fun will beers after the finish be without family, friends, and each other there to celebrate!!! 

No Beer- I will take frozen Yogurt for a Finishline Award!