Support

As a sport and exercise psychology major (MS- thats a master of _ _ _ _ as opposed to just b_ _ _ _ _ _ _), I know the importance of support for any exercise or fitness goals.

Obviously a lack of support would be a slight ding in the success scale. You want to quit smoking and your spouse continues to offer you cigarettes- not helpful! You want to lose weight and your mother-in-law brings over your favorite dessert, thanks!
I also know there is a difference between positive support and just neutral support. If you want the best chance for success you have to surround yourself with people who know you can do it even when you're having a bad day.

There has to be a positive show of support. Not just staying out of your way or not caring if dinner is later than usual. Ideally, they'd be saying- "let's just plan on dinner late so you can get your workout in" or "tell me what I can do to help with dinner to make it easy for you." Whether or not you take them up on it- you know you have their support and no guilt need apply!

So at lunch with my mom, who by the way is in her mid 80's, she asked just what this thing was I'm doing. By thing, she meant the Ironman. For some reason she could only remember the marathon, a thought for which I think other family members may have contributed!

I tell her about the swim and the bike, followed by the marathon.
"You're going to kill yourself!" Her exact words. Not usually at a loss for words, what do you say to that? In my world its called living! Seeking new goals, not necessarily easy ones, making sure that the regrets you have are about things you have done or tried, not about the things you were afraid to do. (I think that one came from my sister so there is family hope!!)

We live in different worlds my mother and I. Different generations. Different values in some areas.
So I'm working on a recruiting campaign at the moment. Hiring a coach puts someone else on my side- even if I had to pay her to do it! The guy who asks how training is going a couple times a week in the swim lane beside me. The ONE who said he'd be at the finish line if I'm going to be there. I think the deck is still stacked in my favor. Maybe I'll give my medal to my mom.