I have been kicking around a “life dream” type of idea that I thought I’d get the voices of slowtwitch to comment on.
If you “live to train” and enjoy being around those like that, what kind of living situation are you in? Would you be interested in living in a house where the shopping was done for you, the fridge always has food, and you can focus more on the training aspect? Would you share a room in a house like that (bunkbeds)? What if something like that could be provided at a cost in line with what it would take to rent an apartment on your own?
If there were enough athletes, they could form regular training groups… with sag or at least support provided potentially. Do you think there would be too much drama? or people flaking on bills/rent…etc?
I guess this would have aspects of what you would find in a “training camp” but as a semi-permanent situation…
If you “live to train” and enjoy being around those like that, what kind of living situation are you in? Would you be interested in living in a house where the shopping was done for you, the fridge always has food, and you can focus more on the training aspect? Would you share a room in a house like that (bunkbeds)?
Gee, sounds a bit like our house. You forgot about the laundry and cleaning though. We have to share a queen size bed.
are you a TV producer? Actually we had joked about that… but I’m not really kidding about the house situation. Maybe I’m just trying to re-live college all over again, but I see ALL KINDS of people in the tri community living on peanuts each trying to keep their own place… etc.
Live with your parents forever. Depending on your parents, that could solve the shopping/cooking/cleaning issue. Of course, the money making is the biggest time commitment for most people. If you’re not working, the other chores are pretty minimal.
I never thought that I live to train, but I do have this magic laundry where I put horrible sweaty things in and get folded kit back, On most days this means at least two outfits plus my business clothes.
I cook once a week and the rest of the time I get meals provided and the house is clean, I now realise that I am lucky, should appreciate my wife more and perform better in races considering the support I get, I do by shiny diamond things for her and take her on nice holidays
Unless you are a pro, what is the point of living to train?
whats the point of anything?
What’s the point of making points?
Seriously I would agree on the Olympic training facility. Short of that, winning the lottery would be my only real way to live to train. I would probably locate nearby Denver and have more bikes in my garage than cars. Perhaps a bike shop inside my garage. Probably an indoor 50 meter pool for the winters and be reasonably close to some pristine lakes for open water swims. I suppose having a personal chef would be ideal, but probably at least a housekeeper. Can I stop making myself feel bad for having 0% of these things now???
What happens when you turn xx years old (are no longer in your racing prime), and the “live to train” dream ends, and you wake up and you do not have a decent job or money to live on?
As one poster pointed out, if you are not a pro triathlete why? Why train your life away and miss out on all the other things life has to offer? There are plenty of age group triathletes who balance their job, training, family, and manage to qualify for Kona. It’s about time management.
What happens when you turn xx years old (are no longer in your racing prime), and the “live to train” dream ends, and you wake up and you do not have a decent job or money to live on?
As one poster pointed out, if you are not a pro triathlete why? Why train your life away and miss out on all the other things life has to offer? There are plenty of age group triathletes who balance their job, training, family, and manage to qualify for Kona. It’s about time management.I agree with this. Also, even a high volume pro has the time to go shopping for groceries.
That sounds a LOT like the living situation of the olympic training centers world wide… triathlon included. But without the food always on the fridge. Usually there’s a buffet facility for meals.
If I had known anything about how to train, and if I could go back 17 years and try this all over again I would take this kind of opportunity in a heartbeat. You’re going to spend the rest of your life working; why rush into it? You can’t buy the kind of lifelong satisfaction you will gain from spending a few years trying to reach your athletic potential. Then, when you are 30-something with a job and family you will have no regrets. I have many regrets because I just didn’t know how to train, either for bike racing in the beginning or college track later.
Just don’t quit after it is all done and you know your best performances are behind you. Think of tri as a lifestyle that will keep you healthy all through your life.
Chad
Many people say that: “You’re going to spend the rest of your life working; why rush into it?”.
But if you spend all of your time and energy in your 20s training instead of working to build a career, then by the time you hit 30, those career opportunities are gone. Which would you rather have?
Choice A: Successful career with time to train. Balanced work, training, and personal life. Cash to live a comfortable lifestyle, travel, financially stable, etc.
Choice B: Low paying job that pays just enough to make ends meet with all your time and energy devoted to training like a pro to only be a fast age grouper (at best, assuming you are not fast enough to go pro). Financially unstable with no extra spending cash or savings.
All of the other things “life has to offer” generally suck compared to training. Most people who say they have better things to do really do not have better things to do. They have obligations that keep them from what they would really rather be doing = Training.
I have a life other than training for triathlons as well. But I know how to play the card of training. Life is full of people tugging at you and trying to pull you in different directions and set you in predicaments/dilemmas that have nothing to do with training.
Training is the most noble of excuses/reasons for getting yourself out of things you don’t feel like doing……while getting to do exactly what you want = Training.
I’ve gotten myself out of many predicaments by simply saying: “Sorry, I can’t……I need to train.” It’s the ultimate conversation killer. When well played and played well and often enough you’ll always get what you want
Example:
Girlfriend: “Baby, can you pick up some Chinese food and bring it to my place on your way home?”
Me: “Sorry, I need to train.”
Girlfriend:“Oh, okay, I’ll pick up some Chinese food and bring it to you instead.”