Hi guys.  Swim Bike Dad here.

Tomorrow the Swim Bike Family flies out to Coeur d’Alene. It’s the beginning of many “firsts” for our little family.

I pray the next seven days are full of joy, but I realize I can only control so much of that. Taking care of the kids and making sure they have a blast is simple.  I mean come on….pool….candy…sleep…repeat. Easy!

Meredith’s experience on the other hand is totally out of my control —and that scares the hell out of me.

It’s almost like hugging someone before they go into surgery. The patient is basically naked (insert skintight spandex race gear here). Lot of medical staff around. This patient will go through immense suffering, and you can’t do jack squat about it.  But hopefully, the Patient will survive and come out even better on the other end.

But you really don’t know the outcome. You just hug, watch, encourage and hope for the best.

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So my plan for the waiting room for the Swim Bike Patient is simple. Just be present, cheer and encourage. Throw some kids and parents in the mix, and we should have a pretty good support squad. (Oh, and the 1,000,000 SBM friends in cyberspace! 🙂 ).

In the end, this is less about the actual race. And more about the journey to the race.

I’m already so proud.   Just getting to the starting line of an Ironman is a feat than many don’t even attempt. I can’t imagine the feeling of watching her finish. Should be a game changer!

For those of you wondering, things are better on the home front. A couple dozen flowers, a fun date night, and generally, having a better attitude has gone a long way. Progress is good. Yes, there have been major bumps.  But we’ve done some good off-roading, and survived.  And I believe we’re coming out better for it.

Time to put on the domestique hat… my Sherpa suit.  Or whatever.  No matter what—- it’s game time!

11 Responses

  1. I can’t even imagine how exciting and nerve wracking that it must all be at all the same time! We are all here cheering and pulling for her and you! I can’t wait until she crosses the finish line and stops to immediately call me! After all I am her #1 favorite stalker! It’ll be the best day of my life!
    Good luck and happy, swim bike run vibes are being sent your way!
    Carie

  2. Great write up!… she will do awesome out there and having you and the fam out there with her will be all she needs to take care of business out there and kick some a$$… we will stay tuned for the swim bike dad updates as she goes along… find a movie theater for the kids during the bike, heard those are the best entertainment venues during an IM 🙂

  3. You guys are an awesome couple! I am so very thankful that you put it out there! As I’m about to get married (on your anniversay!), it makes me realize that as long as we’re willing to work hard we can be another amazing couple that lasts. Great to see how much support M has!

  4. Spectating an Ironman is a huge event in itself. And with kids! Have a blast cheering on your wife. Take lots of pictures and try not to worry. She has the determination to do it.

  5. Have a blast, take lots of pics, and update us often. Enjoy the ride…your doing awesome!

  6. I am so glad you are posting about the relationship side of training for an Ironman. It’s as much a part of the race as the swimming, biking and running when you have a family. I told my husband about your latest blog posts and he “got it” immediately. I just do local sprint tri’s and still, it can get in the way of family/spouse time. You’re tired, you can be grumpy, things don’t always get done around the house and your relationship starts to get a little shaky. The fact that you brought this to the surface allows all of us to join you in saying You are Not Alone. If you’re a triathlete and married with children, relationship stress going to happen. I am so thankful for your blogging. I read every single post.
    Sending your family lots of love and good energy for a wonderful new experience.

  7. Enjoyed your post very much. Especially liked your analogy of the patient/surgery and SBM’s soon to be trial of suffering. It brought to mind the words of a sermon I heard recently. The good pastor said, “Suffering clarifies our life. The deeper the pain, the greater the clarification.” Made me think a lot about the role suffering plays in each individuals life. Anyway, blessings to you, SBM and your sweet family. I’m convinced if you look for joy will most certainly find it!

  8. you are the best hubby ever! If Meredith ever moves next door with Steve you just call me! That was a joke. Honest!
    I think you are an amazing partner and I haven’t heard too many people say it yet.

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