Getting the balance right

There’s always someone talking about balance. The type of balance most Ironman triathletes struggle with is the work to rest balance.  We’re almost all obsessed with training. I’ve known guys who fit in a bike training ride on the  morning of their wedding. I’ve even known some who’ve taken their bike on the honeymoon.

As long as enough attention is given to recovery procedures, good food and good sleep habits, it’s possible to do a lot of training in the hours left after work and sleep. This is an area where we do see a few athletes get it wrong. We have to consider our family committments in the quest for balance in the program.

Remember, a five year old kid is only going to be five for a short time. The time spent with him/her at this time is invested in the future. Contrary to what some mums might say, a dad who trains often and races every couple of months is a great role model for that child. Not only, is dad leading by example, he’s keeping his mind and body healthy. This makes him a better husband and father. I’ve known guys who’ve risen at 3am to fit their training in before the kids get up, still run a very successful business and won his category in major races.

If dad is spending his liesure time at the pool, out on the bike with his mates or going for a run while the kids ride their bikes along with him. This has to be a better example than dad and his mates sitting around drinking a carton of beer every weekend.

The fulfillment of our spirit is one of the great side benefits of training and racing Half Ironman and Ironman races. It’s the satisfaction gained by training for something that we know’s going to be hard, but beating it anyway. That uplifting of the spirit through being superbly fit, and facing the challenges we’ve set before ourselves, makes us more alive than many.

If it was easy, they wouldn’t call it the Ironman. We live “dumbed down” lives where they even put warning signs on hammers nowdays. Our society watchdogs have excused away just about every stupid act a person could commit, by giving it a syndrome name.

The overachievers have to break out and do something  a bit dangerous, something exciting and challenging, just to save going mad. Any child who has a dad or mum who train and compete in Ironman type events is truly lucky. Any woman who has a husband who spends his liesure time cycling, running, swimming and has a passion for fitness is far luckier than many of her peers.

Passionate people produce. That simple slogan sums up why most of the members of my squad are overachievers in all parts of their lives. The passion ignited in every training session sends the athletes off to their work place on a high. Problems are solved more easily than by their sluggish workmates. Relationships are more exciting because the athlete’s self esteem is high. A person with a high self esteem has more to give. His/her needs are already filled.

All these benefits are available to the athlete with his/her life in balance. You’ll know if you have it it balance. Don’t take notice of the criticism which may come from someone whose life is empty. You have the energy to help those sad people find something to build their passion.