Almost six years ago when I married
my wonderful husband, Daniel-
my wonderful husband, Daniel-
I became an IronWife.
(Daniel surprised me and proposed at the end of his first 1/2 IronMan in Racine, WI 2010) |
Quickly, I began to find out this new title meant:
Solo Saturdays while a 4 hour bike ride is squeezed in.
Or, biking to work instead of driving to fit a workout in the day.
Added fears that a driver won't see him,
or that he will get a flat in the middle of nowhere.
Triathlon also meant- early morning swims,
brick workouts, group rides,
indoor trainers, expensive gear,
compression socks, shammy butter, gels,
aero helmets, race entry fees, sunburns,
national championships, endless training,
and nutrition.
It takes a lot of effort to become good at one sport,
let alone three.
The only way to get good is to log the hours.
This was the hardest lesson for me to learn as a newlywed.
"What do you mean ANOTHER workout?
You've already worked out twice today!"
I began to see that Dan's decision to do the sport
of Triathlon also meant mine.
No, I wouldn't be physically training with him-
however, I'd be filling the role of
IronWife-
cheerleader, schedule keeper,
meal planner, single-parent,
and paparazzi.
As time went on and races were completed,
I began to see the reason for my husband's
hobby-turned passion.
He has a sense of accomplishment after reaching
his daily goals, setting new PR's,
or placing top three in his age group.
He loves to be outside, meet other triathletes,
coach beginners, have fun, and push himself.
All of this takes--
planning, coordination, sacrifice,
balance, and teamwork.
I have learned what it means to fully support my
husband to accomplish this dream of his.
I'm not sure what my dream is yet, but,
I know he would and will fully support me.
This is a perfect example of unconditional love.
Moving workouts to the earliest hours in the day so
he didn't miss time with Jack in the morning.
Or, waiting until after Jack's bedtime
to work in a two hour bike.
I'm proud of Dan's dedication to put family first,
even with the extensive amount of training
involved in preparing for an IronMan.
Solo Saturdays while a 4 hour bike ride is squeezed in.
Or, biking to work instead of driving to fit a workout in the day.
Added fears that a driver won't see him,
or that he will get a flat in the middle of nowhere.
(Island Lake State Tri 2015) |
brick workouts, group rides,
indoor trainers, expensive gear,
compression socks, shammy butter, gels,
aero helmets, race entry fees, sunburns,
national championships, endless training,
and nutrition.
(ITU World Championship, Chicago 2015) |
let alone three.
The only way to get good is to log the hours.
This was the hardest lesson for me to learn as a newlywed.
"What do you mean ANOTHER workout?
You've already worked out twice today!"
(Enka Tri Asheville, NC 2014) |
of Triathlon also meant mine.
No, I wouldn't be physically training with him-
however, I'd be filling the role of
IronWife-
cheerleader, schedule keeper,
meal planner, single-parent,
and paparazzi.
(Repeat race in Racine, WI 2013-where Dan proposed in 2010) |
I began to see the reason for my husband's
hobby-turned passion.
He has a sense of accomplishment after reaching
his daily goals, setting new PR's,
or placing top three in his age group.
He loves to be outside, meet other triathletes,
coach beginners, have fun, and push himself.
(Enka Tri Asheville, 2014) |
planning, coordination, sacrifice,
balance, and teamwork.
I have learned what it means to fully support my
husband to accomplish this dream of his.
(1/2 IronMan in NC, 2014) |
I know he would and will fully support me.
This is a perfect example of unconditional love.
Moving workouts to the earliest hours in the day so
he didn't miss time with Jack in the morning.
Or, waiting until after Jack's bedtime
to work in a two hour bike.
I'm proud of Dan's dedication to put family first,
even with the extensive amount of training
involved in preparing for an IronMan.
SWIM. BIKE. RUN.
The feat of a full IronMan race seems daunting--
2.4 mile swim,
112 mile bike,
and 26.2 run.
In just a few weeks, I will get to cheer Dan on
to complete his first full IronMan in Lake Placid, NY.
I'm reminded of Hebrews 12:1--
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses let us,
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
We are all running a race with a very exciting finish,
eternal life with Jesus!
So, run hard, have fun, and finish well!
Go, Dan, Go!
Jack and I are cheering you on all the way to that finish line!
If you want to cheer with us, I'll post more info as we get closer.
Check out his personal page here: Support Dan
The feat of a full IronMan race seems daunting--
2.4 mile swim,
112 mile bike,
and 26.2 run.
In just a few weeks, I will get to cheer Dan on
to complete his first full IronMan in Lake Placid, NY.
(Novi Tri 2016) |
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses let us,
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
(ITU World Championships, Chicago 2015) |
eternal life with Jesus!
So, run hard, have fun, and finish well!
Go, Dan, Go!
Jack and I are cheering you on all the way to that finish line!
(1/2 IronMan in Grand Rapids, MI 2017) |
Check out his personal page here: Support Dan