3 Years With My Teammate!

Happy Monday! I know I owe you a race report and there will be one in the next day or two. Before I share my Surf City Half story, I want to focus on something even more important – my best friend and #1 support system for all things, Mike.

Three years ago today Mike and I went on our first date. I knew from that first meeting that something special was possible with him, but I couldn’t have imagined having anything as incredible as the relationship we have today. I could go on for days about all of the things I love about Mike but for the purpose of this blog I wanted to talk about him as my support system and training partner.

Mike Supporting Me at the 2012 Tri Classic

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve seen a dramatic change in my fitness since meeting Mike. Although all of the goals I’ve set for myself over the last three years were self-created, I think that just having him in my life as a role-model for athletic achievement (he had just finished his first Ironman when we met) has opened up my mind to more possibilities of what my body is capable of.

In addition to being an inspiration to me, having my best friend and partner working toward the same fitness and nutrition goals as me has made it so much easier to complete them. Since we’ve met, we’ve only competed in a few races separately but we are always there to cheer each other on if we’re not racing. Since meeting 3 years ago, we have raced 7 half marathons, a urban adventure race (City Chase), 2 5ks, a Mud Run, 2 marathons, a sprint, olympic, half ironman and full Ironman triathlon together in addition to a full round of P90X, a modified second version of P90X and most of Insanity. Mike was there to support me at both of my beginner triathlons when I was learning how to swim/bike/run, even though he had to wake up before 6 a.m. on a Saturday to be there just to spectate. He also was my very patient supporter when I was on the crazy game show Oh Sit which took a 16 hour day to film!

There have been many times, especially during Ironman training, where Mike put my training selflessly before his own. He taught me how to ride a road bike, fix a flat tire (many times), set up my transition, and swim in the open water. He arranged all of his long bike rides so that we could meet up at pit stops so that I wouldn’t be riding alone even though it would have been better for his own training to go ahead without waiting for me. He patiently calmed me down when I woke up crying in the middle of the night before the Ironman because I thought my knee injury was going to keep me from finishing even though he should have been sleeping before his big race. I can’t put into words the appreciation I have for Mike for all of his selflessness and I hope he knows how much it means to me!

 

Mike also helped me stay on track with my diet when we did P90X. It was much easier to go to a party and drink only water, only eat at the one restaurant that worked with my diet and eat eggs and cottage cheese for breakfast every day for a month when I had someone there to do with me. Last year when I became a “flexitarian,” Mike jumped right on board, preventing me from making two different meals every time I cook (which is twice a day since I make our lunch and dinner almost daily).

Clearly Mike enjoys fitness as much as I do and we are lucky to have found someone with similar interests. However, Mike really has gone above and beyond my expectations for a partner. We make a great team and are definitely stronger (and fitter!) together than we are on our own. I can’t wait for the many more adventures and races in the years to come with my best friend!

Do you work out and/or train with your significant other?