A person never appreciates who their friends are until the chips are down. Fortunately I am usually not one to always think the grass is greener on the other side. This season I started training for triathlons and completed two events. The second event was this past weekend and it was geared more towards beginners like me. At any rate, I saw a bunch of spectators and the question in my mind was “Why??”
I could not appreciate how anyone would drag kids two years old and younger out of bed at 6:00 AM in 57 degree weather to see Mommy or Daddy go by for the 4-5 minutes maximum time in transition. The rest of the time they are just waiting around. Triathlon is not a spectator friendly sport and as a participant, I am not sure that I would go to an event as a spectator unless it was a world championship. I do appreciate that a lot of families do everything together and if Mommy or Daddy lost 50 pounds or recovered from a devastating injury then a little family support is in order. I did think the kisses good luck I saw at 7:30 AM was well beyond what is required of a significant other.
My family is very supportive of me and my various hobbies. My wife knows that if I go to the final table in a poker event or qualify for the Ironman championships she has to come out. She takes care of our daughters without the slightest gripe when I roll out of bed at 6:00 AM for a swim or a run. More importantly, she doesn’t rub it in my face when I “don’t have time” to pick up kitchen utensils or dirty clothes. My two year old daughter is quick to inquire about whether I am going swimming, bicycling or running and joins me for stretching most of the time. She also knows when I have down time and is quick to tell me to turn off the television. Television is less important than family.
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