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2014-10-22 11:16 AM

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Subject: Wife support and blog

My wife wrote a nice article on her blog about being the wife of a triathlete. Check it out if you like...

http://viviansart.typepad.com/my-blog/2014/10/triathlon-season-comi...

No comments about her nick name for me.


2014-10-22 11:38 AM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog

Total awesomeness!!  Hope you have a great race this weekend and huge kudos to your wife!!

I've been a head schlep and cheerleader too and there's something magical about it.  In fact, seeing my partner racing is what inspired me to get into it.  Now the roles have switched--I'm the one who's up and pushing us out the door at O'dark:30 and he gets to carry all the gear.  Even better, he makes the coffee and carries more gear than I ever did.  Supportive friends/partners/spouses are the best.

2014-10-22 11:53 AM
in reply to: laffinrock

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by laffinrock

Total awesomeness!!  Hope you have a great race this weekend and huge kudos to your wife!!

I've been a head schlep and cheerleader too and there's something magical about it.  In fact, seeing my partner racing is what inspired me to get into it.  Now the roles have switched--I'm the one who's up and pushing us out the door at O'dark:30 and he gets to carry all the gear.  Even better, he makes the coffee and carries more gear than I ever did.  Supportive friends/partners/spouses are the best.




That's awesome. My wife did a sprint race a couple years but remains on the sideline because of a bad knee. She hope to get back to running one day but is great support for all my races. She had zero complaints with all the training I did this year so she is 100% supportive of my addition to this sport.
2014-10-22 12:12 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Your IM time is 8:20?! Dang, you are fast!

I like your wife's paintings, too.
2014-10-22 12:37 PM
in reply to: happyscientist

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by happyscientist

Your IM time is 8:20?! Dang, you are fast!

I like your wife's paintings, too.


8:20 lol...I wish. that is the time on the video that I show up that she has linked on the blog

I was early into the run at 8:20.
2014-10-22 1:51 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog

Wow there's some support from the significant other...... Very nice!!

This is you

 



2014-10-22 1:57 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by GODAWGS

Originally posted by happyscientist

Your IM time is 8:20?! Dang, you are fast!

I like your wife's paintings, too.


8:20 lol...I wish. that is the time on the video that I show up that she has linked on the blog

I was early into the run at 8:20.


That makes more sense. I thought maybe we had a pro hanging out on the forum.
2014-10-22 2:25 PM
in reply to: jbjboc

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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by jbjboc

Wow there's some support from the significant other...... Very nice!!

This is you

 




How did you know I danced like that?
2014-10-22 2:26 PM
in reply to: happyscientist

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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by happyscientist

Originally posted by GODAWGS

Originally posted by happyscientist

Your IM time is 8:20?! Dang, you are fast!

I like your wife's paintings, too.


8:20 lol...I wish. that is the time on the video that I show up that she has linked on the blog

I was early into the run at 8:20.


That makes more sense. I thought maybe we had a pro hanging out on the forum.


Nope...just an old age grouper hanging out.

2014-10-22 2:50 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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lake forest, California
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog

Originally posted by GODAWGS
Originally posted by jbjboc

Wow there's some support from the significant other...... Very nice!!

This is you

 

How did you know I danced like that?

 

Dance matches the nickname

2014-10-22 2:56 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
That is a bunch of awesomeness.

It reminds me how important it is to be supportive of my wife and her endeavors as she is of mine.


2014-10-22 3:43 PM
in reply to: wannabefaster

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Georgetown, KY
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
That was a nice post by your wife. It is awesome that she is so supportive!

I always felt bad about dragging my wife to races early in the morning and using a day of vacation for a destination race, but she always said she enjoyed it. She recently started doing running races, and her first HM was a week after my HIM so I didn't participate with her for the first time. This was the first time I have ever attended an event without participating, and it was a BLAST! It was so fun to make signs, and cheer her on. I even dressed up my dog (she may like him more than me) in costumes to go with each of my signs! It was not only rewarding to root for her, but it was awesome seeing how happy it made other people as well! I really enjoyed cheering on the slow people that were really struggling because I know how they feel!

It also made me realize that being the biggest fan is also an event in itself! It was crazy making sure she had whatever she wanted or needed in the morning, then planning different points to get to before she did and having the sign and the dog ready, then cheering on a long group of people and packing up and heading to the next spot. I was worn out by the end, and I got blisters on my fingers from the cowbell!

I was so proud of her for finishing under her goal time and couldn't have been happier with the day overall. I also thanked her profusely for everything she does for me at my races, as it is truly a lot of work!

I recommend everyone go support your spouse or a friend at a race if you have never done it. She is running her first marathon in Charleston in December and I have already rented a bike so I can cover more ground to cheer her on! I cant wait!
2014-10-22 4:04 PM
in reply to: jbjboc

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Extreme Veteran
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5001001001001002525
Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by jbjboc

Originally posted by GODAWGS
Originally posted by jbjboc

Wow there's some support from the significant other...... Very nice!!

This is you

 

How did you know I danced like that?

 

Dance matches the nickname




You got me.
2014-10-22 4:08 PM
in reply to: wannabefaster

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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by wannabefaster

That is a bunch of awesomeness.

It reminds me how important it is to be supportive of my wife and her endeavors as she is of mine.


So true...our sport can be selfish with all the training so its important to return the support to the family.
2014-10-22 4:13 PM
in reply to: Bradleykd

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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by Bradleykd

That was a nice post by your wife. It is awesome that she is so supportive!

I always felt bad about dragging my wife to races early in the morning and using a day of vacation for a destination race, but she always said she enjoyed it. She recently started doing running races, and her first HM was a week after my HIM so I didn't participate with her for the first time. This was the first time I have ever attended an event without participating, and it was a BLAST! It was so fun to make signs, and cheer her on. I even dressed up my dog (she may like him more than me) in costumes to go with each of my signs! It was not only rewarding to root for her, but it was awesome seeing how happy it made other people as well! I really enjoyed cheering on the slow people that were really struggling because I know how they feel!

It also made me realize that being the biggest fan is also an event in itself! It was crazy making sure she had whatever she wanted or needed in the morning, then planning different points to get to before she did and having the sign and the dog ready, then cheering on a long group of people and packing up and heading to the next spot. I was worn out by the end, and I got blisters on my fingers from the cowbell!

I was so proud of her for finishing under her goal time and couldn't have been happier with the day overall. I also thanked her profusely for everything she does for me at my races, as it is truly a lot of work!

I recommend everyone go support your spouse or a friend at a race if you have never done it. She is running her first marathon in Charleston in December and I have already rented a bike so I can cover more ground to cheer her on! I cant wait!


Great job by your wife on her HM and to your for your support! My daughter is training to do a 5K and I asked her if she wanted me to run with her or be there in support. She said you preferred the support so I said no problem. My daughter and my wife have always been my fan club so I look forward to returning the favor like you did.

Good luck to her on the Charleston marathon.
2014-10-22 8:42 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS


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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
My Fiance' wrote something similar but a different perspective also. We call it the SO survival guide.

What I learned from my “IronMan-Wisconsin Sherpa” 2014 adventure:
1 – Your IMIT (IronMan-In-Training) may call you at 8:00 am on signup day to say “I Signed Up For IronMan!!!” and then call back at 8:03 am all freaked out with “OMG – I Signed up for IronMan!?!?”
Expect those bipolar mood swings to occur on a frequent basis over the next year.
Remember that as his official “Iron-Sherpa” your job is to be the calm in the storm, the soothing voice of support that guides your IMIT forward toward his goal, and occasionally the voice of reality that gently reminds him “Listen you wuss – you paid $700 to do this, suck it up buttercup!”

2 – You learn a whole new vocabulary around bricks and thresholds and heart rate zones as well as new abbreviations that become a staple of your IMIT’s conversations… FOP, MOP, BOP, AG, KQ, BQ, KOM, OWS, PR, DNF, DNS, DFL, HTFU
And you find that you can use almost all those abbreviations in a single sentence that would make sense to other triathletes …
“My AG IMIT is a FOP biker, MOP swimmer, BOP runner who will never KQ or BQ but who did earn Strava KOM status once even though he DNF’d his first 70.3.”

3 – If your IMIT isn’t at the gym or out doing a run or ride, he is at the keyboard – either reviewing and chatting about his latest upload of Garmin/Strava data OR surfing Tri-Porn on SlowTwitch.com (a huge forum site for triathletes to discuss their deepest thoughts of training regimes, race reports, chamois creams and other odd topics).
You may actually find yourself wanting to add SlowTwitch.com to the list of blocked websites so that your IMIT has to engage in a real conversation with a REAL person and not the hundreds of virtual friends that he only knows by their forum screen names and/or Strava rankings.

4 – It is actually weirdly depressing the day you realize your IMIT shaves his legs more often than you do!

5 – When your IMIT suggests a weekend getaway or mini-vacation – you need to ask up front if it will involve bikes, running shoes or wetsuits… if it does, you can bet it’s actually a sneaky attempt at a racecation and NOT an actual vacation.
“Honey, did you know there is a great beach at Benton Harbor, MI?” “Honey, I think we should go see your Aunt in Kansas for a weekend this summer?”
It’s still a good chance to spend ‘some’ time together, but set your expectations accordingly.

6 – Realize that in addition to the main full IM distance race, your summer will also include several half distance races (70.3s). Oh good – more IM race-day fun for the Iron-Sherpas! Apparently the main 140.6 mile race is the “A-Race” and these others are just primers (“B-Races”).
These “B-races” are training races for your IMIT to practice things like…
? Race-day on-course nutrition,
? Race-day nerve control,
? Validating race-day packing and prep lists,
? Practicing race-day ‘victory poses’ when crossing the finish line (gotta make sure the A-Race finisherpix is a keeper!)
These primer races also give you, the Iron-Sherpa, a chance to practice your race-day skills of:
? double checking the race-day packing and prep lists to see what your IMIT is forgetting
o Tip: even include obvious things like WHEELS on that list, otherwise when your IMIT realizes it about an hour towards his “B-Race” it is really hard to not roll your eyes and keep a straight face as you detour back home to get them.
? building up your endurance for your main job of waiting, waiting & more waiting:
o Waiting outside of T1 for your IMIT to finish getting setup for the day and giving you the air pump and other things he wants you to take back to the car (always parked at least a mile away… usually up a long hill)
o Waiting for the AGs to start lining up so that you can provide your IMIT with your last ‘You Got This!’ motivational speech (or the ‘Suck it Up’ speech …it’s your job to figure out which they need to get motivated that day),
o Waiting on the course for hours at a time while trying to keep alert so that for those rare 3 or 4 opportunities of a few seconds each when your IMIT passes your spot, you are doing the obligatory happy-dance and cheer
? This means strategically projecting what time they will be at specific course locations so that you can coordinate your food runs, beverage runs, and porta-potty runs accordingly).
? Tip#1: Investing in a shadow tracking GPS unit for the day is a life-saver on this front. Although its feedback and metrics can be spotty at times (no your IMIT wasn’t REALLY doing 60MPH+ on the last bike segment, it’s a software glitch), it at least helps to point out his current location on a map so that you can plan for when he’ll most likely cross your path.
? Tip#2: I highly suggest just bringing a cowbell and cheering for EVERYONE so that even if you don’t see your IMIT coming, you can honestly say ‘Look Hon, I was cheering as you went by…Not my fault you didn’t see me! You must have been ‘in the zone’. This way you still get mega-sherpa points for being your IMIT’s personal cheering section but also spread some good cheering karma to the rest of the AG’ers (Age Groupers) who might need it”
o Waiting for T2 to open up later in the race day so that you can collect the IMIT’s beloved ‘significant others’ (i.e., his super-sticky bike and other gear… I learned not to try to decipher if the sticky stuff was sweat or spilled Gatorade or wondering if he had actually missed a porta potty stop…eww… best to not think about it) so that you can get the car loaded and ready for the trip home, which you will of course be driving as he will be ‘recovering’ (i.e., ‘napping’)… even though you were up for just as many hours as he was!
o Waiting for him to cross the finish line while preparing the appropriate responses for either celebrating the results (“a new Kansas 70.3 PR – awesome job babe!”), or commiserating as to a day-gone wrong (“honey sometimes derailleurs just explode… the Kansas minions just weren’t on your side today”.. And yes each of those are actual conversations I have had with my IMIT).
7 – During the last 2 weeks before the ‘A-Race’ you will enter a dreaded window of time known as ‘Tapering.’ This is when your IMIT will start cutting back on workouts – meaning less energy exerted on swimming, biking & running and more energy focused on being aggravated that he isn’t out swimming, biking or running.
Too much energy without an outlet.
? Be patient (this phase will pass, it is a natural part of the training process).
? Be tolerant (your IMIT really don’t mean to be a royal Pain in the A**).
? Be mindful (remember why you love them and their determination to see this through even though you really are ready to kick them out of the house)
? Begin work on your list of qualities you will be seeking in your new significant other that you will be replacing this IMIT with if they don’t tone down the attitude (and keep that list visible as a not-so-subtle reminder; after all, even Iron-Sherpas have their limits)
8 – Realize that if you do a regional duathlon the weekend before IM-Wisconsin (your IMIT’s A-Race)… and you podium in your AG and your IMIT doesn’t… that the correct responses include
“It’s no big deal honey… my AG was just much easier; besides, you met your goal of keeping your race to HR Zone 2 since this was a tapering week. It wasn’t your A-Race…You raced the race you planned on. Good for you!”
And make sure to smile when you say it…even though when they turn around you really want to do the ‘trophy dance’ Snoopy Style ? But trust me… Don’t Dance – your IMIT is tapering and moody and will NOT see the humor in it!
9 – Realize that as ‘Iron-Sherpa’ you need to be the queen of logistics & coordination to support your IMIT in their endeavor
? Always knowing what the lap swim times are at any pool within a 30 mile radius as well as any lakes having OWS (Open Water Swims) each weekend
o Also knowing which pools actually enforce the ‘no one in the pool for 30 minutes after lightning strikes’ rule… It storms a lot here in St Louis so yes, it matters
? Coordinating new playlists for your IMIT’s long workouts
o And learning that an all-girl Christian Punk Band actually provides some of the best ‘power songs’ for running…Super Chick rocks!
? Coordinating your weekend work schedules and family functions around your IMIT’s training schedules
o And knowing the importance of throwing wet-wipes and Robie (an oversized towel-poncho thingy) in the car to facilitate parking lot wardrobe changes so your IMIT can get in a workout and still make it to your nieces’ soccer games on time
? Coordinating his family’s attendance to be part of his “A-Race” cheering section, including:
o Ordering custom t-shirts to show your unified support (and make the kids and their grandmother easier to find if they get lost in the crowd)
o Coordinating the timeline so that his family just attends the end of the race (since family really doesn’t understand or appreciate the joy of getting up before dawn to send him off or waiting 12+ hrs to see Daddy for a few seconds during the race … in fact, Iron-Sherpas don’t either, but we’re used to it).
o Making up games to keep the IMIT’s kids busy while waiting for those precious few seconds when Daddy passes them on the course (“first one to see a runner in a Pink shirt gets 1 point” “first one to see a runner looking at their watch gets 2 points” etc… yes we actually made a deck of cards and point value system like this, it worked like a charm keeping the kids interested in race activities while waiting!)
o Running ¼ mile ahead of where the family is stationed on the course to get your IMIT’s attention so that he doesn’t miss giving his kids a “Dad’s sweaty gross” hug as he goes past. Kids hated it, their grandma and I thought it was awesome!
? Coordinating all the lists involved in training, racing, travelling, and spectating
o Yes, spectating has its own list of required accessories…especially when kids are involved
? Coordinating all the travel logistics including race day parking
o Tip: Volunteer at your IMIT’s race so that you not only pass the time during the day but also can get a preferred Volunteer parking pass. It often gets you within a few blocks of the finish line – which is much appreciated when it comes time to get your IMIT back to the car when the race is over and their legs are spent. Just be prepared, even if the car is just 1 block away from the 140.6 finish line, your IMIT may still be whiney about it when he realizes it is 1 block up a steep hill (sorry Babe, I didn’t design Madison street layouts – suck it up!)
? Coordinating the design and creation of my own “IronSherpa … my Ironman owes me… big time!” T-shirt to wear before the race was a good way to remind my IMIT and other athletes that their race days would not be possible (or as enjoyable) without the support of their own IronSherpas & loved ones
10 Realizing that what your IMIT is undertaking is a huge accomplishment that is nothing short of amazing. It was amazing to watch his development throughout the year of training and the growth of not only his skills and endurance but also his confidence in what he is capable of achieving.
So to summarize:
On the morning of my IMIT’s “A-Race” (Ironman Wisconsin 2014), I knew he was ready; definitely a little nervous but still ready both physically & mentally. All the hard training hours and buckets (literally buckets) of sweat had been banked and it was time for them to pay-off. So with a quick send-off kiss and a “You Got this Babe” my IMIT was on his way into the waters of Lake Monona with 2600+ other athletes.
And I, the Iron-Sherpa, did my IM volunteer duties, cheered for him (and thousands of other AG’ers throughout the day), coordinated his family to share in his accomplishment, and watched with so much pride and amazement when my IronMan-In-Training crossed that finish line in under 14 hours and Mike Reilly officially proclaimed him to be an IronMan. Truly Amazing.
So to sum up what I learned from my IronSherpa 2014 adventure:
? It is amazing what goals people can achieve if they really believe in themselves and put in the effort needed to reach them (big results don’t come easy, but they do come if earned)
? Sometimes everyone needs a little (and sometimes a lot) of help and encouragement from their family and friends in order to reach those goals
? Watching someone grow and achieve things you never thought possible is truly an inspiration
So to my IronMan Mr. Mike (formerly my IMIT)…
Thanks for being such an inspiration to all of us …
… but by the way… you still owe me Big Time!


2014-10-22 9:40 PM
in reply to: 0

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538
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Brooklyn, New York
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
"tri-porn" ROFL!


Great Class and style top to bottom on the wife's blog & site by the way.
I think it'll "accidentally" end up on my wife's favorite site list next time she leaves her compu free


Edited by TJHammer 2014-10-22 9:41 PM
2014-10-23 5:57 AM
in reply to: mclousing

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Extreme Veteran
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5001001001001002525
Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by mclousing

My Fiance' wrote something similar but a different perspective also. We call it the SO survival guide.

What I learned from my “IronMan-Wisconsin Sherpa” 2014 adventure:
1 – Your IMIT (IronMan-In-Training) may call you at 8:00 am on signup day to say “I Signed Up For IronMan!!!” and then call back at 8:03 am all freaked out with “OMG – I Signed up for IronMan!?!?”
Expect those bipolar mood swings to occur on a frequent basis over the next year.
Remember that as his official “Iron-Sherpa” your job is to be the calm in the storm, the soothing voice of support that guides your IMIT forward toward his goal, and occasionally the voice of reality that gently reminds him “Listen you wuss – you paid $700 to do this, suck it up buttercup!”

2 – You learn a whole new vocabulary around bricks and thresholds and heart rate zones as well as new abbreviations that become a staple of your IMIT’s conversations… FOP, MOP, BOP, AG, KQ, BQ, KOM, OWS, PR, DNF, DNS, DFL, HTFU
And you find that you can use almost all those abbreviations in a single sentence that would make sense to other triathletes …
“My AG IMIT is a FOP biker, MOP swimmer, BOP runner who will never KQ or BQ but who did earn Strava KOM status once even though he DNF’d his first 70.3.”

3 – If your IMIT isn’t at the gym or out doing a run or ride, he is at the keyboard – either reviewing and chatting about his latest upload of Garmin/Strava data OR surfing Tri-Porn on SlowTwitch.com (a huge forum site for triathletes to discuss their deepest thoughts of training regimes, race reports, chamois creams and other odd topics).
You may actually find yourself wanting to add SlowTwitch.com to the list of blocked websites so that your IMIT has to engage in a real conversation with a REAL person and not the hundreds of virtual friends that he only knows by their forum screen names and/or Strava rankings.

4 – It is actually weirdly depressing the day you realize your IMIT shaves his legs more often than you do!

5 – When your IMIT suggests a weekend getaway or mini-vacation – you need to ask up front if it will involve bikes, running shoes or wetsuits… if it does, you can bet it’s actually a sneaky attempt at a racecation and NOT an actual vacation.
“Honey, did you know there is a great beach at Benton Harbor, MI?” “Honey, I think we should go see your Aunt in Kansas for a weekend this summer?”
It’s still a good chance to spend ‘some’ time together, but set your expectations accordingly.

6 – Realize that in addition to the main full IM distance race, your summer will also include several half distance races (70.3s). Oh good – more IM race-day fun for the Iron-Sherpas! Apparently the main 140.6 mile race is the “A-Race” and these others are just primers (“B-Races”).
These “B-races” are training races for your IMIT to practice things like…
? Race-day on-course nutrition,
? Race-day nerve control,
? Validating race-day packing and prep lists,
? Practicing race-day ‘victory poses’ when crossing the finish line (gotta make sure the A-Race finisherpix is a keeper!)
These primer races also give you, the Iron-Sherpa, a chance to practice your race-day skills of:
? double checking the race-day packing and prep lists to see what your IMIT is forgetting
o Tip: even include obvious things like WHEELS on that list, otherwise when your IMIT realizes it about an hour towards his “B-Race” it is really hard to not roll your eyes and keep a straight face as you detour back home to get them.
? building up your endurance for your main job of waiting, waiting & more waiting:
o Waiting outside of T1 for your IMIT to finish getting setup for the day and giving you the air pump and other things he wants you to take back to the car (always parked at least a mile away… usually up a long hill)
o Waiting for the AGs to start lining up so that you can provide your IMIT with your last ‘You Got This!’ motivational speech (or the ‘Suck it Up’ speech …it’s your job to figure out which they need to get motivated that day),
o Waiting on the course for hours at a time while trying to keep alert so that for those rare 3 or 4 opportunities of a few seconds each when your IMIT passes your spot, you are doing the obligatory happy-dance and cheer
? This means strategically projecting what time they will be at specific course locations so that you can coordinate your food runs, beverage runs, and porta-potty runs accordingly).
? Tip#1: Investing in a shadow tracking GPS unit for the day is a life-saver on this front. Although its feedback and metrics can be spotty at times (no your IMIT wasn’t REALLY doing 60MPH+ on the last bike segment, it’s a software glitch), it at least helps to point out his current location on a map so that you can plan for when he’ll most likely cross your path.
? Tip#2: I highly suggest just bringing a cowbell and cheering for EVERYONE so that even if you don’t see your IMIT coming, you can honestly say ‘Look Hon, I was cheering as you went by…Not my fault you didn’t see me! You must have been ‘in the zone’. This way you still get mega-sherpa points for being your IMIT’s personal cheering section but also spread some good cheering karma to the rest of the AG’ers (Age Groupers) who might need it”
o Waiting for T2 to open up later in the race day so that you can collect the IMIT’s beloved ‘significant others’ (i.e., his super-sticky bike and other gear… I learned not to try to decipher if the sticky stuff was sweat or spilled Gatorade or wondering if he had actually missed a porta potty stop…eww… best to not think about it) so that you can get the car loaded and ready for the trip home, which you will of course be driving as he will be ‘recovering’ (i.e., ‘napping’)… even though you were up for just as many hours as he was!
o Waiting for him to cross the finish line while preparing the appropriate responses for either celebrating the results (“a new Kansas 70.3 PR – awesome job babe!”), or commiserating as to a day-gone wrong (“honey sometimes derailleurs just explode… the Kansas minions just weren’t on your side today”.. And yes each of those are actual conversations I have had with my IMIT).
7 – During the last 2 weeks before the ‘A-Race’ you will enter a dreaded window of time known as ‘Tapering.’ This is when your IMIT will start cutting back on workouts – meaning less energy exerted on swimming, biking & running and more energy focused on being aggravated that he isn’t out swimming, biking or running.
Too much energy without an outlet.
? Be patient (this phase will pass, it is a natural part of the training process).
? Be tolerant (your IMIT really don’t mean to be a royal Pain in the A**).
? Be mindful (remember why you love them and their determination to see this through even though you really are ready to kick them out of the house)
? Begin work on your list of qualities you will be seeking in your new significant other that you will be replacing this IMIT with if they don’t tone down the attitude (and keep that list visible as a not-so-subtle reminder; after all, even Iron-Sherpas have their limits)
8 – Realize that if you do a regional duathlon the weekend before IM-Wisconsin (your IMIT’s A-Race)… and you podium in your AG and your IMIT doesn’t… that the correct responses include
“It’s no big deal honey… my AG was just much easier; besides, you met your goal of keeping your race to HR Zone 2 since this was a tapering week. It wasn’t your A-Race…You raced the race you planned on. Good for you!”
And make sure to smile when you say it…even though when they turn around you really want to do the ‘trophy dance’ Snoopy Style ? But trust me… Don’t Dance – your IMIT is tapering and moody and will NOT see the humor in it!
9 – Realize that as ‘Iron-Sherpa’ you need to be the queen of logistics & coordination to support your IMIT in their endeavor
? Always knowing what the lap swim times are at any pool within a 30 mile radius as well as any lakes having OWS (Open Water Swims) each weekend
o Also knowing which pools actually enforce the ‘no one in the pool for 30 minutes after lightning strikes’ rule… It storms a lot here in St Louis so yes, it matters
? Coordinating new playlists for your IMIT’s long workouts
o And learning that an all-girl Christian Punk Band actually provides some of the best ‘power songs’ for running…Super Chick rocks!
? Coordinating your weekend work schedules and family functions around your IMIT’s training schedules
o And knowing the importance of throwing wet-wipes and Robie (an oversized towel-poncho thingy) in the car to facilitate parking lot wardrobe changes so your IMIT can get in a workout and still make it to your nieces’ soccer games on time
? Coordinating his family’s attendance to be part of his “A-Race” cheering section, including:
o Ordering custom t-shirts to show your unified support (and make the kids and their grandmother easier to find if they get lost in the crowd)
o Coordinating the timeline so that his family just attends the end of the race (since family really doesn’t understand or appreciate the joy of getting up before dawn to send him off or waiting 12+ hrs to see Daddy for a few seconds during the race … in fact, Iron-Sherpas don’t either, but we’re used to it).
o Making up games to keep the IMIT’s kids busy while waiting for those precious few seconds when Daddy passes them on the course (“first one to see a runner in a Pink shirt gets 1 point” “first one to see a runner looking at their watch gets 2 points” etc… yes we actually made a deck of cards and point value system like this, it worked like a charm keeping the kids interested in race activities while waiting!)
o Running ¼ mile ahead of where the family is stationed on the course to get your IMIT’s attention so that he doesn’t miss giving his kids a “Dad’s sweaty gross” hug as he goes past. Kids hated it, their grandma and I thought it was awesome!
? Coordinating all the lists involved in training, racing, travelling, and spectating
o Yes, spectating has its own list of required accessories…especially when kids are involved
? Coordinating all the travel logistics including race day parking
o Tip: Volunteer at your IMIT’s race so that you not only pass the time during the day but also can get a preferred Volunteer parking pass. It often gets you within a few blocks of the finish line – which is much appreciated when it comes time to get your IMIT back to the car when the race is over and their legs are spent. Just be prepared, even if the car is just 1 block away from the 140.6 finish line, your IMIT may still be whiney about it when he realizes it is 1 block up a steep hill (sorry Babe, I didn’t design Madison street layouts – suck it up!)
? Coordinating the design and creation of my own “IronSherpa … my Ironman owes me… big time!” T-shirt to wear before the race was a good way to remind my IMIT and other athletes that their race days would not be possible (or as enjoyable) without the support of their own IronSherpas & loved ones
10 Realizing that what your IMIT is undertaking is a huge accomplishment that is nothing short of amazing. It was amazing to watch his development throughout the year of training and the growth of not only his skills and endurance but also his confidence in what he is capable of achieving.
So to summarize:
On the morning of my IMIT’s “A-Race” (Ironman Wisconsin 2014), I knew he was ready; definitely a little nervous but still ready both physically & mentally. All the hard training hours and buckets (literally buckets) of sweat had been banked and it was time for them to pay-off. So with a quick send-off kiss and a “You Got this Babe” my IMIT was on his way into the waters of Lake Monona with 2600+ other athletes.
And I, the Iron-Sherpa, did my IM volunteer duties, cheered for him (and thousands of other AG’ers throughout the day), coordinated his family to share in his accomplishment, and watched with so much pride and amazement when my IronMan-In-Training crossed that finish line in under 14 hours and Mike Reilly officially proclaimed him to be an IronMan. Truly Amazing.
So to sum up what I learned from my IronSherpa 2014 adventure:
? It is amazing what goals people can achieve if they really believe in themselves and put in the effort needed to reach them (big results don’t come easy, but they do come if earned)
? Sometimes everyone needs a little (and sometimes a lot) of help and encouragement from their family and friends in order to reach those goals
? Watching someone grow and achieve things you never thought possible is truly an inspiration
So to my IronMan Mr. Mike (formerly my IMIT)…
Thanks for being such an inspiration to all of us …
… but by the way… you still owe me Big Time!



She sounds like a "keeper" and a great supporter. Love it and plan to show it to my wife.

"Waiting outside of T1 for your IMIT to finish getting setup for the day and giving you the air pump and other things he wants you to take back to the car (always parked at least a mile away… usually up a long hill)" I did this to my wife at Ironman Louisville....funny to see others with same experience.

Thanks for posting.
2014-10-23 6:00 AM
in reply to: TJHammer

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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Originally posted by TJHammer

"tri-porn" ROFL!


Great Class and style top to bottom on the wife's blog & site by the way.
I think it'll "accidentally" end up on my wife's favorite site list next time she leaves her compu free



Thanks TJHammer...I will let her know.
2014-10-23 11:02 AM
in reply to: mclousing

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Subject: RE: Wife support and blog
Mclousing, that was hilarious. I might have to show that to my husband.
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