Training issues with significant other?

break up with her.

Seriously, you're not even married to her and she already has a problem? She's not supportive? Whatever. My DBF doesn't understand the inner workings, but he supports me 100%. Not because he LOVES triathlons or always wanted to date a triathelte, but because he LOVES ME and knows it makes me happy.

 Seriously, she's got to be supportive of your new lifestyle. Otherwise it's just not fair.

Hi,

I don't know anything about training because I just started but...

I think you need to express to your girlfriend that it is important to you to do your training and although you will make time for her, that you need time for yourself and your training.  

 Does she like to do anything active?  If so, maybe you could incorporate that into your cross training as well?  

 When I started dating my husband, he would do occasional workouts while I went to the gym regularly.  We both liked to hike, he did it more frequently though but then we started hiking together.  Our routines have evolved since then and a few years later, we just started biking together (sometimes) and swimming together (most times) and we do hike still but other workouts we do on our own. 

I think it's so important that your SO supports you, even if s/he doesn't want to be a triathlete (ever) or understand why you willingly put your body through so much hell

I'm very lucky -- my husband is not an athlete, but he wakes up at 5:00 with me, drives me to races, holds my stuff, takes pictures of me, cheers me on, and drives my tired beat up home.

What are her issues with you?  Time?  Attention?

There are some great posts in this thread.

About the only thing I can think to add is what works for my wife & I.  I move my training schedule around to accommodate our schedule (social, family, son's sports, work, etc.), not the other way around.  I've found if I plan well, I rarely miss a training session.  Sometimes I train in the morning, sometimes in the evening, and sometimes I switch rest days with training days.

I think trying to maintain this balance helps my wife be extremely supportive.  She helps me with healthy meal planning (cooking is one of her favorite hobbies), walks/jogs on the half mile track at a park while I run, and is always at my races with cow bell in hand screaming at the top of her lungs.

If you're a little flexible, it's not unreasonable to expect your SO to be flexible too.

This has been a great thread.  My girlfriend jogs in the morning, but refuses to run with me do to her not wanting to slow me down.  She is a very active athletic person, but wants nothing to do with competition of any kind.  I am a very competitive person and wants to win.   My ex-wife is a professional horse person and we were around each other 24hrs a day with the horses and it was our downfall.    I have went from 183 to 160 pounds with 5% body fat since April and it is a major lifestyle change (food, exercise, daily living habits).   I love my life style, but I do realize it is hard for non-competitive people to be around it.  I am not crazy by any means   5:30am - hour run or bike,  5:15-6pm at the gym swimming. 

Thank you everyone for your insight, and never know maybe my next thread could be "any single tri girls looking for a training partner"

Thanks

Great thread!  My DH has been training with me, but as my race approaches I've been cranking it up & he's just too busy (rightfully so!) to spend that much time training.

Now, he's having a difficult time keeping up. 

So far, we've loved doing this together, but with his busy schedule, I can see the disappointment on his face that I'm moving ahead.

I really don't want to hold back - he doesn't want me to hold back.  

These are complex issues in a relationship.  Ours is really strong & has been around for years & has weathered tough issues (much tougher than this).

I wish you wisdom!!

Love & Triathlon Training - Sounds like a great article topic!!!  Only problem - NO EXPERTS!!!!!

In my experience, there are very, very few things in relationships that merit the take-it-or-leave it approach. Tri-training certainly is not one of those.

 I kind of disagree. If it's a new relationship there may be more leeway in whether or not this is a take-it or leave-it situation. If it's older, then I see your point.

I'm dating a football coach and have been for 5 years. So I'm fully engrossed in this lifestyle - I kinda have to be. BUT, I have decided tri's are what I want to do. And I expect the same support I give him for myself and my endevours. I NEED him to be supportive and interested in my life. I'd be furious if he wasn't considering the things I will have to give up to be a coach's wife and how involved I am now.

But that's an understanding between both of us so it's not an issue.

I guess it comes down  to what do you want in regards to this lifestyle from this significant other. Like someone else posted: do you want her to be competitive with you or just support you?? There is a difference and can illicit seperate responses. This may be especially important if you think this may be your 2nd wife.