Family Time

Posted on Sunday May 02, 2010 by Mark Johnson

It may sound a little "Jerry Maguire'ish", and lack Macho, but my wife and kids do "complete me". I don't know how the rest of the world does things, but working out and competing in events requires a balancing act between work, family, and fun. Because my wife competes and trains for similar events, she supports me and understands what I do, while all the while sharing that time with me. We work things out by taking turns racing, taking turns working out, and taking turns taking care of our two kids. Yesterday was one of the special days where the whole family actually was able to go to one of my races. Some can say it's not as fun being the one who doesn't get to race, but I love getting to feel like the superhero dad for the day (and also getting to sit back and watch the event). I was the one who got to compete in the duathlon yesterday, which meant I had to zone out the family somewhat. My wife knows that is what is necessary, but there is a part of me that feels torn by this act. The thrill of competition is good, but hearing my little boys out there ringing the cow bells and yelling "Dad" is awesome. They don't know exactly what I'm doing or what they are doing, they just know I'm "Dad" and that is what they are yelling for. There is a sense of purity and innocence to their act that can't be duplicated. In some way I wish I could install that feeling into my race ethic. But just having them there is enough, and it makes the day just a little more "complete" for me.