Tri Balancing Act

Honestly, I say do what you can for now and the time will magically appear as you progress. I know that sounds silly, but that's how it worked for me. Last year around this time, I decided to try a tri and all summer long, it seemed like a tremendous stretch to get in the time for training for a sprint. But I finished my first and second tris with less training than was recommended even...

This year, I'm training for an oly and it's been totally painless. My lifestyle has changed, but since I didn't force it, but rather just did what I was so stoked about, I hardly even noticed! Then this month, I've been on my bike tons for the 'Ride Lots' Challenge and again, it feels like a stretch. I'm sure that towards the end of the summer, this won't feel like much at all again.

So, just enjoy doing what you have time to do and slowly, the time will come from some other activity that is less important to you....

Good vent!  I feel your pain...somehow it feels like I'm running for 'poster boy' for sleep deprivation.  I've got OLY / 1/2 training, work, grad school, single parent of 2, and race director for a century ride...let's just say I'm 'familiar' with the concept...

But I can confirm, just like Kim said...you just take what you can, when you can, and over time, it'll get better.  Sometimes for me that means that I have to take a race that I wanted to really jam and turn it into a long training session 'cause I'm just not trained.  But with every month it gets easier, you find ways to opportunistically squeeze in workouts, and become world-class at prioritization. 

In the meantime, good luck with the upcoming race.  And if you can be easy on yourself, do it!  No rediculous expectations, they've been known to trash a beautiful race afternoon.  Smile, have fun, and things will sort themselves out.