Family won't be at my first tri....bummer...

I hear you! My wife has bailed on me after realizing that watching a triathlon is kind of like watching paint dry - every so often (at transition and the end) you see a little action.

It's definitely not as exciting as watching a soccer game if you aren't into the sport. For instance, this weekend we are going to a MLS game, not heading to go watch a triathlon.

I've been all alone at both of mine and was a little jealous of those with family support.  However this Sunday I'll be competing with my son so I know somebody will be there for me.

I drag my wife and kids to my tris and road races and quite frankly, I think they hate me for it. God bless them though, they are patient! So while it sucks for us to not have the support, it's probably better for their sanity to avoid them.

My husband dragged all three of my boys to my 1st Tri back in July..poor kids were sleep walking I think..It was a 6:30 am start!!  Anyway, if I had registered to do one in the fall, I would be solo because we have a couple of travel soccer players too. I have a couple of road races coming up & they will not be there due to soccer.  I, on the other hand will have "mom guilt".

Good Luck on your 1st Tri!!

I'm in the same situation on Sept. 19.   First event and the family out-of-town for a long standing conflicting event.   Perhaps it's best that they don't see my trials and tribulations first time out! 

I have another one two weeks later and they have promised to get up early for that one!

My wife and kids have watched a few races, not watched a few races, and my wife has participated in a few races.  I've enjoyed each for different reasons.  I'd say the kids take priority and it gives you a reason to make sure there is a #2 tri .

My wife shows up now and then but usually I fly solo.  If she does show up it is usually more toward the end of the race so she can see me at the finish.

My wife is the same as me. She showed up for my first race literally seconds before I crossed the finish line.  After that she decided she had no desire to get up early just to stand around and see me for a few seconds every once in a while.

Last year she and my son went with me out of town to a race mainly so we could have a short family get-away trip. She got up with me in the morning and watched the swim start. Then she took my son back to the hotel for a couple of hours and played in the pool and came back for the finish.

three years+ and have been solo every time.  Never bothered me though.   Perhaps selfish, but found it easier to just get ME ready vs. having to get whole family out the door at that hour.  Then I get to race and think once they sit on the beach and watch they would not hate me as much.   I have tried though.   Last race I booked hotel room about .25 mile from race start on the beach.   Look around at finsh line and nada.   Called on cell after a while thinking I missed them and they were enjoying room service and relaxing.   Can't blame them   Will never force it, when they want to be there, they will come. 

I race ALOT  so it's hard to expect my family to come to my races unless it's one that is REALLY important to me.  My other option is to race less.

Bottom line is that it's MY thing to do.   It's no fun to watch for them.    Essentially I only ask them to come to the HIM and marathons.  This is because I'm not completely sure I can get back under my own power.   

I'm just happy that they put up with me and my training/racing.  It does cut into family time.

My family came to every race last year. It was fun having them there cheering but I was worried the whole time that they were bored or the kids were giving my DH a fit (they were only 1 & 3). When I crossed the finish line I still wanted to be a triathlete but they wanted MOM: Hold me, get me a drink, I wanna play in the sand etc. Didn't really understand that mom was tired!!

This year they have not come to any races for various reasons (mostly weather related, races in the rain and extreme heat). I miss them but I think it's less stress on all of us for me to just go do my thing, unwind with my friends and come home ready to be Mom again.

Good luck at your race. Hopefully you'll have lots more chances to race with your family watching!!

That is a bummer.  My wife went to my first tri and it was 50 degrees and raining.  Scheduling conflicts kept her from the next 4 and I don't blame her.  My daughter made it to my 4th tri and pre-race she just kept saying "dad, you're quiet" and I kept saying, "yea, I'm nervous".

Loved having them there.  Kind of sucks for them with the wait to see me.  Racing with friends is more fun in my opinion.

I've done 4 races so far, all solo.

I think my kids might go nuts waiting around for me, so I haven't gotten too upset about it.  Besides, when the family does finally come to a race, it will be something new for me and give a little bit of that 'first time' buzz to the race.  I also figure the longer it takes for them to come watch, the more they'll get to see as far as results or looks!

I finally met another BTr at my last tri too which was cool (and brief.)  He ran the sprint, and I was the LAST one in on the OLY.  Everybody was gone when I got done!  If my kids had been at that race I'd have gotten an earful for sure!

I'd like to have the wife and kids at a race, but I'm sure not going to pressure them for it too much.  It's hard enough for them to put up with the training.

-eric

First two have been solo and I prefer it that way.  It would be cruel of me to expect them to get up at 5 am just to sit around for a few hours before the race even starts.   They will be at my first olympic this month, but that's an out of town trip so it was planned.  Plus, grandma will be there to help with the kids. 

I go to every race my husband participates in...can't imagine not being there for him.  This Saturday, however, I will have the joy of participating with him as he does my first tri with me. 

It's almost a blessing  My kid saw my come out of the water after my 1st tri (oly) and was probably wondering what was wrong with me(let alone at the finish line).  It's boring as all being just a spectator.  My second one was solo and quite frankly so much easier mentally, did they find a parking spot, where are they, did they see ME get out of the water, will I see them coming out of T1 you get the idea.  Other have recomended going early and meeting other's, it's  cool to do.  I use the time for me to "menatlly check out" after I set my transition up, and not have to worry about anything  but starting in the correct swim wave.

For inspiration, I carry a Batman ring from my son's birthday party and I spin my wedding ring on my finger the whole way. This helps me rember them and motivates me to finish,  besides If don't finish  then I can't bore them to death afterwards with my race review.

They will make one in the future and you will appreciate just the same. GOOD LUCK, WOO HOO, WAY TO GO, DONT PUKE ON YOURSELF, DONT FORGET TO FLOAT, IS THATA JELLY DONUT IN YOUR SADDLE BAG!!!!!!!!!!!  How's that for encouragement?  oNCE AGAIN, GOOD LUCK!!

That is awesome!! Good Luck & have fun!!  I tried to convince my hubby to do my first with me but its not his thing..not yet anyway..I will keep trying!

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sorry... if it makes your feel better, my family never comes to my races, having the wife and 2 little kids sitting around to see me for 5 seconds does not make sense