triathlon team - bay area

Inspiring Athletes

Training...in Triathlons and Relationships

by Angela G.

I have three children, two of which are teenagers at this point, most people say, “Sucks to be you” or “I’m sorry.” The joke has been told, if you want to know why some animals kill their young, try living with teenagers. Trust me: it doesn’t have to be quite this bad. Training with your children can be some of the most quality, bonding and incredible time together that you could ever hope for…you might even look forward to it.

Having teenagers (or any children for that matter) can be incredibly difficult, emotionally challenging (beyond my wildest imagination), financially draining and just plain frustrating. You may even not “give yourself permission” to train for an event such as a triathlon because you think it would be unfair to the rest of the family. Wrong! It would be unfair for you not to consider yourself important enough to do so. Get up and make the commitment, because it can help your kids get moving too: one lap around the track for every so many that you do; bike ride together on a flat off-road surface; take a swim lesson together; throw them in a wetsuit and make them float with you…). You can set an incredible example for them…and feel good about yourself while doing so. When I started training with See Jane Run, my kids said it looked like I was having so much fun that they wanted a part of it too!

My children have learned how to work together to complete their training and even challenge each other to get stronger (“race you to the buoy”...or the corner…or wherever). Have you ever tried running next to someone for three hours without talking with them? Yes, my children and I trained for a ½ marathon together and did train for up to three hours at a time. It was GREAT! We did have to set some boundaries…since kids seem to think their mother enjoys hearing them complain about “whatever.” I said, “While we are training, I am not your mother, I am your training partner and I don’t need to focus on your mental garbage; I’ve got plenty of my own.” I think I used a few more expletives and didn’t quite say it so diplomatically, but they got the point …and it even carried over into non-training times!

Despite some of the most challenging personal situations in our family over the past few months, I always knew if we hit the road, the trail, or the Bay, we could make time to be together…and eventually talk through just about anything. It has created strong relationships and training habits now that will last for the rest of our lives.

Here’s how they tell it:

Shelline, 16 – When my mom was training and doing triathlons I thought it would be fun to do it with her. When I started training with the SJR team I was not good at it. But now I am a lot better. I have completed two triathlons so far and learned that I can be good at something. As a side benefit, my relationship with my mom has never been better.

Kyle, 14 - A little over a year ago I started training for triathlons with my mother. I felt that I needed a little exercise and to get out of the house for a while. My mom thought it would be nice for me to maybe participate with her in what she was doing. I thought it might be fun and agreed to try it out. Over the course of a year I have come to greatly enjoying triathlons because of how fun my family made it for me. I think the closest I ever came to my mom was during these practices; where we spent time together like never before.

So give yourself permission to train with SJR…and learn new ways to enjoy yourself and your children!

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If you are an inspiring athlete or know of one, please email us at training@seejanerun.com