SWBKRUN -CLOSED DUE TO TRAINING (Page 38)

hmm, that's a lot more time to have little ones out all day and keep them entertained at the race site.  From experience the tought part is on your husband, trying to keep kids entertained while at the same time trying to see you out on the course.  For our kids I don't think I could do both for that length of time on my own.

At Lonestar I saw a sitter  with a family, she had the kids out to see mom off then took the kids back to the hotel room so dad could watch mom during the day, then I would assume bring them back out at some point to see the finish, IMO this would be awesome but something that would take some setup time and finding a sitter willing to do that.

Yesterday was a real crappy day, but today is AWESOME !:

I just won a pair of race wheels in a raffle from FSseries! I thought they drew the winner a while ago and I had lost. I need new wheels but was not willing to spend the $.

As regular MOO volunteer I would suggest leaving the little ones at home.  Madison is truly a college town, the race course is partially on campus, and IM does not cater to the younger ones so whomever is watching them will have a much longer day than you!!!  Plus, on campus they may get a little more education than you want them to have.  To say that  the downtown Madison is very liberal would be an understatement.  

My very wise Bride always reminds me that Triathlon is not a spectator sport!!!  The only races she ever even thinks about attending are my HIM's and then usually shows up for part of the run only after she finishes her Spa appointment!    

Wow, congrats Doug, you deserve it!

My first IM was last year and I had my wife and 3 kids stay home.   I would have loved to see them at the finish line when I came across but the logistics were too hard.  I spent time at the race with friends and concentrated on the race.   Even though I had prepared a week before the race, there are a lot of things to get done the night before.   It was actually, peace of mind for me.  I would have been worried on race day that the kids weren't bored or that my wife wasn't having too hard of a time.  Stay focused on the race. 

Next IM I am hoping they are there.  I will be more comfortable with what I have to do and get done before the race.  Since this was my first IM, there were too many unknowns that you have to have time to prepare for.  

As a compromise, you may want to get two hotel rooms.  It will be pricy but might give you a place to escape when you have to get things done or just need to be alone with your thoughts. 

This was my concern.  I can see why you want them there and I think it's a great way to set an example for them.  That said, I think you should let the person (or people) going with you decide.  You will likely need some support for yourself, and the kids will need A LOT of care and attention.  Will there be enough "help" to go around. 

Maybe they can go see one of your BIG races when they're a little older and self-sufficient.  Remember, in the end, you need to do what feels right for YOU

My Doug just about went through the computer!   He saw that "Doug" had won the wheels and thought it meant him!    Darn you Doug ROB!!!!!!!  Those were going on MY bike!

couldn't agree more.  WE got there, not me.  one of the best memories of the day was hanging out with them on race morning...   i simply can imagine not having them around at the start and finish.  

suzy, dino just put a bit hit on moo as a potential 2013 venue!

AWESOME!  how about some details!?!

As for kids at the IM, it is something I struggled with as well.  One of the (many) reasons I wanted to do an IM was to show the kids that a big part of life is that with time and effort comes reward.  I often feel that my kids want such immediate gratification that if they do not immediately succeed, they give up.  I wanted to show them that things can be a challenge, but the best rewards are the ones that you work hard for.

As a result, I would have loved to have had them in Florida with me, and to see me finish.  But, after reflecting on it, I decided that it was too much of a challenge to bring the kids.  I needed quiet time and down time in the days leading up to the race and in the day after.  And having them there meant that my wife would have to assume an even greater burden -- because she could not have them at home in their own beds and routines.  But I can easily have gone the other way as well, assuming that the childcare conditions were covered.

I guess ultimately my 2 cents is nothing more than the phrase that you hear repeatedly in this group:  Whatever works for you.

P.S. IMFL did have a video feed from the race.  And my wife kept my eldest son up past his bedtime to see me cross the finish.  I am told that he saw me cross the finish line and heard the announcer say my name, and he started jumping up and down with excitement.  I did not cry when I crossed the finish line, but hearing that story (30 minutes later) made me break down. 

We're talking MOO?

This is coming from the non-mom so take it for what it is worth. Unless your husband plans on hanging out with them a lot alone, I wouldn't bring them.  There are NO kid activities as a lead up to the race.  You end up having to register, practice swim, go to the dinner, bring your bike and all crap to Monona Terrace the day before and it takes time and a toll on your psyche.  The day of the race they are at an age where they probably woudn't want to potentially see mom for 13-16 hours, right?    What if you are really sick during the event? or after? would that scare them?  If I were a mom these are the things I would ask myself......

Having said all that, there might be baby-sitting services you can coordinate through the hotel.  Just another random thought.

The raffle was run by a local race timing company FSseries. For $20 you get a chance at either an $1800 pair of wheels or a single disc wheel. Winner chooses the wheel stickers color too. The company that makes them is www.hawk-racing.com. Since my SPecialized S-works is limited in the disc wheels that will fit due to the narrow rear stays, I am going with the set of wheels. I have to talk to them about which ones will work best for me. The 80mm carbon clinchers look nice as do the Veyron wheels.

LOVED seeing my kids on the course.  It totally gave me a boost when I saw them.  We arranged activities for them and my wife was awesome getting them around the city.  Even their cousins  (same age 5 and 7) came out to watch.  Bring the kids if you can.

For all of those that recommended bringing the kids, what would your spouses say about it?  Afterall, they are the ones shouldering the responsibility (I almost used the word--burden).  I would think their perspective would be equally or more important than your own.

Christina, only you and your man can answer that one.

Fatty--The area is totally rocking during MOO.  You can see everything you want to see in the land of the libs.

The wife and I have had conversations about this very thing.  I have also been the one taking the kids through the crowds and to the Porta Johns.  Our conclusion is that: 1) it is important for the kids to see us doing positive things and 2) they get to go to places they would not otherwise have gone.  We always do something just for them during the trip.   It is sometimes hard (not burden Suzy) but worth it. 

jarrett is all in!  i'm lucky.  we discussed it a length before signing up for all three IM's.  we realized the logistical mistake we made the first go around and pulled the plug on it, i think you have to be able to do that with anything.

and you are absolutely right, suz.  jarretts perspective is just as important as mine.  again, we discussed it at length and planned as best we could taking many things into account.  communication was key throughout the entire process.  like i said, this is a WE thing (our family)  not a me thing. this is just my little slice of the world.

i don't care about your libs or palin's, i'm happy to hang out with you as long as the beer is cold and the boobs warm.

This is awesome Doug, Congrats!!  

Okay, my vote is no on little kids.  It's not only a long day, it's a long week.  You've got the stuff you have to do - check-in, bike/bag drop off, etc - and you'll want to drive the bike course, bike the run course, and get a swim or two in.  Then there's the athlete dinner/meeting.  You seriously need to stay off your feet as much as you can for the 48 hours prior.  More than anything, you've taken a year to get ready for this, and you want to avoid distractions.  Not that my kids are loud, or wrestle, or want to eat lots of junk......but many kids do. 

My vote is to find a place (friends, Grandparents, other family) that will make it a vacation for them, to.....and bring home presents!!

Ok, it has a been a really long week and my brain is completely fried from Year End, Inventories, and Union Negitations .....  I did what??

HA HA HA HA!!!

Oh, how I wish I could be there with all of you!