How to keep your relationship alive through ironman training build

How to keep your relationship alive through ironman training build

I like to take a holistic approach to triathlon. I’ve got the nutrition side covered but feel it’s of value to bring in experts to help you in other areas.

Triathlon is a crazy sport. Training for three sports means you’re up early, home late, you may have a full-time job you need to work around too.

Then the weekend can be taken up by 6 hours rides, long runs. Or race weekends away for races, training camps etc.   All this means there aren’t many hours left in the day or days in the week to be at home spending time with your partner.

I see couples and families break down because of triathlon. One partner does the sport and the other doesn’t and it can put a strain on relationships. Or, even if they are there as your no. 1 crew, everything usually gets put on hold until after the event. This is where relationships can also break down.

When you don’t have the support of those important to you, not having your mind in the game can really affect your training and race performance.

I recently spoke to Couples Therapist and Sexologist, Isiah McKimmie, and asked her to give us her professional advice on helping the relationship with your partner thrive, especially when you don't have a lot of time.

Advice for couples to keep their relationship alive:

Connection

• Spend time together
• Be best friends
• Have respect for each other
• Build rituals, ways of connecting, so you and you partner still feel important to each other
• Something as small as spending 15 minutes a day checking in with each other - not to discuss logistics, but to see how they are doing, what’s happening for them, how they’re feeling

Communication

• Understand each other’s concerns, dreams, needs, wants and emotions
• You don’t need to provide solutions or results – just empathise and try to understand their perspective
• Are you on the same page?
• Needs to happen on a daily basis
• Be present with each other when you are together
• Use “I hear…” and reflect back
• Understand each others’ Love Language – Acts of service, Quality time, Gift Giving, Words of Affirmation or Value and Physical Touch.

Sexual Intimacy

• Doesn’t just mean having sex – be playful, have physical touch, keep the romance going
• Keep in mind your partner is your lover, not just your co-parent, housemate or co-manager of a household.

Just having your partner know that you're interested in them and their needs and showing them love in a way that works for them - that's going to start to make a difference.

To hear more of Isiah’s advice: check out our Triathlon Nutrition Academy Podcast Episode 49 - How to keep your relationship alive through ironman training build with Isiah McKimmie

 And to receive Isiah's FREE Guide to Strengthening Your Relationship, click HERE.

LINKS

Connect with Isiah on Instagram

Website: www.isiah-mckimmie.com 

Receive Isiah's FREE Guide to Strengthening Your Relationship: HERE

Learn more about the 5 Love Languages and take a free quiz: HERE 

If you’re interested in joining the Triathlon Nutrition Academy, pop your name on the waitlist NOW | Join the TNA Waitlist

If you are looking for a Sports Dietitian and want to learn more about working with me, click HERE to see what I offer for private, 1 on 1 consultation.