I am a social science professor. For a few years now, I have been wanting to bring my passion for triathlon into my academic work. I am proud to say that this time has come. I am conducting a qualitative study on how parents balance work, family, and Ironman-distance training. I have seen many posts here on ST on how the intersection of these areas is often one big juggling act. People have posted about bringing their kids to the pool, carving out time where they are “unavailable” (for example, all weekend training takes place before 10am), biking to work, and other interesting methods of balancing these roles. If you are an employed parent who is currently training for Ironman, or who has trained for Ironman in the past, while parenting a child or children under twelve, I would like to speak with you. Single parents are a welcomed part of this study.
Interviews will be conducted via telephone. I ask that you allow a minimum of twenty minutes for the phone call, though I suspect most interviews will go longer. I will be asking questions about how you structure your daily routine, what factors led you to select your specific IM location(s), how you negotiate time with your spouse (if applicable) and child, and other questions surrounding the intersection of work, family, and triathlon.
Your participation would be of great value to both the academic and triathlon communities. There is no financial compensation for participation, but I will gladly send you any work that is written based on these interviews. I will also share my findings here with the ST community.
If you are interested in being a part of this study, or know of someone who might be interested, please PM me for details. Thanks so much!
Diana
EDIT: For those of you who have participated thus far, thank you!
I am willing to participate. I’m a married father of three girls (oldest is 12) and have completed three IM races in the last four years while working full time. Send a PM if I can help.
I have done 3 Ironmans, training for my 4rd in June and have a significant increase in training time and commitment due to trying to qualify for Kona. I am married (going on 16 years) have a daughter who just turned 13 and a son who just turned 7, so for all 3 previous ironmans they were both under 12. Feel free to PM me for contact info.
I just sent you a PM. Father of 2 beautiful kids. Well, actually, I have three kids, but the third one…eh, well, they all can’t be beautiful. Just kidding. They are all beautiful…thought we could use some humor. And I will be doing my second IM this fall.
Hello, I only work part time freelance. However I am caregiver to two kids with several different chronic illnesses and that is kind of like a job in itself. I have done one M dot and two Indies.
I’ve done 3 AM wake-ups and entire century rides without leaving Central Park. Scrappin it out for sure.