Today’s guest post is courtesy of Tanya, the creator of GOTRIbal, an international network for women whose goal is to empower all women through the journey of sport. Thank you Tanya for helping to inspire all women (moms or not!) to fitness and health!
Most see this statement with a look of surprise or perhaps even exclaim “Insanity!”. But one thing’s for sure, moms involved in triathlon take multi-tasking to a whole new level.
If you ever find yourself in a circle of moms who train for any endurance sport, regardless what kind, while they raise a family, work and manage their own lives, you’ll quickly see not only a very happy mom, but a very healthy chick – and most likely, very active and healthy kids.
How do they do it? Here’s the top five and a half things for not only getting started, but loving every minute of participating in the sport of your choice: running, cycling, swimming – or all three!
For more great reading from moms who are doing this now, visit the GOTRIbal women’s network!
- You CAN do it. This is relevant and deserves the first position in the line-up. Why? Cause endurance sports (like life) are more about what’s going on in your head than what your doing with your body. It’s what you tell yourself you can or can’t do that gets you doing it. After #1, everything else becomes easier.
Find a partner who can share your passion – and keep you honest. There are many ways to find moms who are already doing it…GOTRIbal (www.gotribalnow.com) is one of those that offers you a WORLD (literally) of women who are balancing family with training, with TRIbes in different regions. The women in this family are there to support each other unconditionally and are helping each other realize goals they never thought possible.- Don’t believe everything you read. The amount of training plans, advice, and coaching information out there is … well, overwhelming. See point #2 for wading through it all.
- Think quality over quantity. No double workouts, absurdly long training runs, or 2 mile swims required. Think an hour of one discipline (at the most) and incorporate some strength building sessions (core workouts will give you the best bang for your buck).
- Listen to the lessons. Triathlon, or any endurance sport, teaches you patience, discipline, mental fortitude, and self-love…if you only listen. Needless to say, these things are transferrable to both your life and your family’s.
Enjoy the process. Go to a race to cheer on a friend and you’ll see how many types of people compete. Then sign up for one and feel how strong your body can be, and take the moments in it, and your training, to revel in the power of it and your mind to allow you to play.
You CAN rock a triathlon like nobody’s business. And if you don’t think YOU can, find a woman who believes you can and put your faith in her to support you, guide you and get you started! Then, once you’ve got your mojo flowing, pay your gifts forward and support another woman in her quest to overcome the challenge!
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I loved doing the Iron Girl triathlon. I am right not concentrating on a single sport – running. It’s where I give my worst performance. I think any woman can do it. All you have to do is tr(i/y).
I have been working out hard for years now, but am really gunshy about competing. I think it has something to do with bad High School cross country experiences. Maybe I will sign up for the C’oeur D’Alene to Spokane Marathon next May – five months after I will be giving birth to my second son.
I’m for ANYTHING that helps women, especially moms, stay mentally and physically healthy. And while motherhood is the ultimate endurance sport, IMHO, I really admire anyone who can do a triathlon. Or run a marathon. Or, y’know, walk across the room without tripping over her own feet.
Keep the passion alive!
Considering life as an endurance sport –wow, that’s a good one! hehe But I like the fact that you can actually help another woman when you’re done with the process or when you’ve got the mojo flowing. Great line-up by the way!
Sara´s last blog ..Healthy Walking The Masai Way
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