This was probably the most mentally challenging week for me. So much so, I emailed our coach and asked for guidance. Being a teacher in the state of Wisconsin right now puts a big old bulls eye on your forehead and the public not in support are not holding any punches. Add to that being the mother of three young adults who are struggling to find their way in college and life choices. Now, figure in working two jobs, trying to be a good wife and friend – this equaled a near mental breakdown for me.
Again, I have to thank this team and my wonderful husband for helping me to find perspective. Rob is so patient with me when I get….. well let’s just say a bit bitchy. It is so refreshing to have a mate that is able to communicate with me instead of being totally reactionary and irrational (have I mentioned that this do-over has been great for me 😉 ) Maggie was very wise and helpful. I am trying to segment things as she suggested. When I am at work, I focus on work. When I am at home, I focus on being a wife, mother, and me. When I am working out, I focus on being an athlete. And most important of all…. when I am overwhelmed, it is not a failure to skip a workout and rest. As Maggie reminded me, I cannot be superwoman. I have felt a weight lifted off my shoulders as I approached the second half of my week with this new-found philosophy. Interesting how we are usually harder on ourselves than anyone else could be.
Brook (Paul’s wife) is back from Mexico and I am so glad to have her back. I have made such dear friends in this sport of triathlon. I feel truly blessed. We gathered at the Smith house for our traditional Friday night dinner and wine post workout. I look forward to these evenings all week. I even find myself impatient during the Friday evening run just to get done and home to the dinner, wine, and camaraderie.
I feel proud to have finished this week feeling strong, especially in comparison to how I was feeling on Wednesday. Killer workout today with our swim coach, but I am feeling confident that I managed everything she threw at us. Mike is gaining some much needed confidence in his abilities. I am inspired by his drive to work hard and improve. He is cruising right along in the pool. I will be anxious to see how his work will translate to the lake. These Sunday swims are brutal but oh so funny at the same time. We are thinking we must start a quote book. Our swim coach is amazing and so knowledgeable, and brutally honest. I will leave you with three of our favorite quotes thus far. Joan to Angie when I was having a hard time breathing with the side kick drill with one goggle in and one goggle out…. “well what are you doing, breathing in through your nose?”.. Angie “yeah”… Joan…. “well, dumbass” Joan to Pam when Pam told her that her backstroke would not be that pretty…”well your front stroke isn’t all that pretty either” and finally, Joan to Paul when he explained that his catchup swim was all messed up because he was kicking too much, “yeah, right…. you kicking too much is like me have too much chocolate, not possible”
Love to end the week with those types of laughs!!
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