Spouse Support - Good or Bad (Page 3)

My husband has only gone to one tri - and complained about everything the entire time. He very begrudgingly went to my marathon (guilted into it by my parents) and was miserable.  I now tell him to stay home, because I'm happier if he's not there.........sounds bad, I know, but I figure this way we both have less stress.   

It does suck, though, crossing the finish line knowing there's no one there to cheer you on.

  I just joined a tri club for 2008 with the hope of making a few friends to alleviate this problem - I guess I just need to find a few people as crazy dedicated as I think I am...

Forgot to mention that during the summer of 2006 I asked my wife if she would be okay with me combining a vacation with a race if one was available.  She said Yes. 

*will try to remember to announce when that holds true or not.

EABonney - 2008-01-03 10:52 AM All of these posts have made me realize just how lucky I am! I just went upstairs to my wife (who is sick right now ) and give her a huge hug and kiss and said thanks! I am so glad that she is supportive of whatever I want to do. It does help that for the most part our kids are older and one of them is out of the house. As I indicated in my previous reply, it also helps a lot that she enjoys walking and going for bike rides. We try to do what we can together, but at this point 99% of my training is done alone and without her.

I read this post and it is identical to my wife. She is very supportive but it's my thing and not something she wants to do but she is happy with the physical outcome.

My husband is uber supportive.  I"m quite lucky that way!  He has bought me very nice bikes and continually looks for ways to help make me faster in the form of equipment   I don't really care if he comes to the local races, but he LOVED being at my Ironman, and was fired up, but I also have sort of promised the family I'd wait until 09 to do another.  He just misses being able to hang out at night with me, and then the long weekends. 

I think it helps he does his own thing with my son - BMX - which requires a lot of travel and time.  Sometimes I go to the races with them and my daughter, sometimes we have girls' weekends.  He also runs some with me, and has a road bike that currently is collecting dust (did a few sprints but doesn't like swimming)...plus there's the finding the time issue. 

It works for us.  I also mentioned I want to do some BMXing, which thrills him immensely...but again, it's just finding the time for all of it   

Me too, except for the pregnancy part.

My husband is very supportive- he'd buy me top of the line equipment if I asked. I just can't justify it right now (but one day I will).

He's into competive bass fishing, so he's gone practicing on the lake a whole bunch, and I've gone to the tournaments that I could. Brought my bike with me to a 4 day tournament last year and trained while he fished!

Now he's getting into tris and riding as a way to stay in shape, and completely understands my passion for the sport. He feels the same way about fishing (which I do occassionally with him.)

We have learned to make sure we carve out some us time when it gets crazy, but so far, it hasn't been an issue. He and a whole bunch of family members (mom, mil, aunt, 4 cousins) are coming to IM CDA with me in June. Derek, of course, plans to fish while we're there!

The Good

My wife has no problem with my training whenever and however much I want, which is very nice. She and the kids didn't attend my one race last summer, and aren't planning on attending my HIM in March, which is okay with me. I am talking with my boys about doing a sprint together later this year, so she can get a firsthand view of the races then if the kids decide to do one.

The Bad

My only complaint is that she goes out of her way to stock the house with my favorite junk foods despite my requests that she not do so. We've argued about this so much that I've just given up on the subject -- it's become a point of significant resentment on my part. I don't understand why she does it, as it's pretty much a deliberate attempt to sabotage my fitness. She says that triathletes have icky bodies because they are too thin, while I'd be quite happy with dropping another 10+ lbs. from my current weight.

Take the junk food to work, sell it to coworkers, turn a profit and get you some more tri gear.

Much better strategy than eating the junk food and selling my tri gear, thanks!