JOES TO PROS EP. 4: IRONMAN 70.3 TRAINING FOR A MOM WITH TWO KIDS
Raising kids definitely makes chasing ambitious athletic goals a lot more challenging. I've experienced this. Every triathlete with kids has experienced this. Currently, our Social Media Manager, Hunter, is experiencing this as she trains for her first IRONMAN 70.3.
In our last episode, Hunter and Calvin learned how to handle fueling and nutrition during training, and how to deal with curveballs as Calvin reset his goals and switched his target race from IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga to IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm. Today, we spend some quality time with Hunter and find out how she's managing to train with two young kids at home.
Balancing Act: A Day in the Life of Hunter
Hunter has two kids, Phoebe and Fox, who are five and two years old. Parenting two young children is already a full-time job, but Hunter also works as Quintana Roo's Social Media Manager, AND she's training to complete her first IRONMAN 70.3 in two month's time. With her kids in school for only three hours, three days a week, she doesn't have much time to fit everything in. Yet she DOES. How?
One method Hunter is using is one that many parents have turned to (willingly or unwillingly) to squeeze in workouts: she's waking up extra early.
Many parents have been there. If you're expecting kids in the future, be ready. Often, the key to executing workouts consistently is to get them done before the kids even wake up. Hunter gets up at 4:45 AM, drives to the pool at 5:30 AM for a swim, and gets home in time for the kids' morning routine.
Ultimately, routine is the crux. Balancing training, work, and parenting has required developing a consistent routine that sets Hunter up for success. Often, this isn't fun or glamorous. It involves doing things like settling down at home at 3:00 PM so you can finish everything in time to be in bed by 9:00 PM. The better Hunter gets at this, the easier it is to "stay on the wagon" and continue stacking the early morning bricks that will help her compete in two months' time.
We're amazed at your dedication and resilience, Hunter. The Whole QR team is rooting for you!
I'm also super excited to see Hunter's Service Course Tri out in the wild for the first time. This new drop-bar triathlon bike is ideal for athletes like Hunter who need one bike to handle riding, training, and racing across multiple disciplines, or anyone who just prefers the comfort and versatility of drop bars. It's easy-to-handle, super lightweight, exceptionally aero, and in the new Moon Gem colorway, absolutely gorgeous.
Pre-Race Nerves Are Hitting
Oh yeah, and let's not forget about Calvin. The curveball he got thrown last month means he'll be competing in his FIRST 70.3 at IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm this upcoming weekend. He's had a lot less training time than Hunter, and he's definitely feeling the pressure now. But we believe in him, even while we watch him silently freak out in his car during lunch. You got it, dude!
Be sure to check back in for the next episode of Pros to Joes, where we'll find out how Calvin did, and join Hunter as she ramps things up in the final month before IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga.
