My new neighbour had a flat tire. Seeing that I was on the trainer, in the driveway, I guess I was the best person to ask. The conversation started with me giving directions to the nearest bike shop; it ended in me giving myself a well deserved pat on the back, as once again I found myself in the familiar role of explaining, and defending, my lifestyle.
To most non-athletic types we triathletes appear extremely selfish. Whether this judgement is rooted in envy, pity, or fascination I really don’t know. However, I do know that we are an easy target to such labels as the hours we take away from the rest of our lives, and the people in it, do add up. Take a moment to actually say it out loud… “I train ___ hours a week.” (Fill in the blank!) WOW! Think about that… the world has PVR so they don’t miss a minute of television, yet every week, I dedicate so many hours to my sport. I swim, bike, run, crunch, lift, stretch… yet I don’t see myself as selfish at all. Even my 3 yr old calls an evening bike ride his ‘training’.
Those who say wise statistical things say that most triathletes are A-type personalities. I can’t help but wonder though, if most were B’s or C’s before they took on the sport, yet, with time have transformed into A’s? Besides, is being an A-type really that bad? I have time management skills that have become so refined I could teach a seminar for newbies. It would be called “Be Faster, at Everything”. Life outside of triathlon is simply mini training sessions, all bricked together… I don’t linger at the dinner table, I eat. This helps my body get accustomed to eating while in movement: race day nutrition. I get dressed in Superman speed: T1 & T2 practice. Going to work, not one person off the subway gets up the stairs faster than I do: this helps me develop mental toughness. They are not fellow commuters’, they are my competition. I have had some brilliant interval sessions just getting to a meeting. Every Saturday afternoon, Dylan & I cuddle up together for our recovery nap. I love it!
No, I do not believe we are selfish. And I do not believe we take time out of our lives for triathlon. I see the water bottle as half full: life, family, and other obligations are all in our triathlon life to inspire us to be more well rounded A-Types. So the next time someone gawks at how you manage to fit it all in, inform them that just speaking to them is training: their ignorance is practice for all those spectators telling you how great you look 3km from the finish line!
Train safe,