I love it when one of my athletes has a great performance. It helps validate that what I do as a coach & trainer actually works. But truthfully, it is not that hard. If provided with the right training, rest, & nutrition, the "performance potential" for the human body only improves.
However, a more difficult and enjoyable task it to help an athlete balance their time between parenting and personal athletic achievements. Take Mark here for example. The picture clearly points to a dad who is behind a few hours on sleep while Enzo is ready to workout all day! If you know Mark you also know that sleep is one of his favorite things to do, besides training and racing...and of course being a daddy! So the big Q is how does daddy do it all?
My best advice is to take it in stride. As a coach & father of two (4yr old & 3month old), I look for little breaks in the day where I can get in 30mins here or 60mins there. Also don't be afraid to pack up the little one and take him/her with you. My son goes to gymnastics on Thursdays. During his workout, I go right to the treadmill with Izzy with me in her car seat. She looks up at me in total amazement while I get in a hard run of 30mins. I'm certain she is thinking, "How does he get those things attached to his hips to move so fast?"
Load 'em up and take 'em for a ride. On Tuesday nights my 4yr old accompanies me on a group bike ride. He joyfully takes the role of being the coach while I have him in tow. He barks out orders like, "Catch up dad." "Go around him." "Go faster dad." It makes me wonder if I am this bossy with my own athletes..LOL! Then on other days we ride around our block...him on his new trek (I even installed a bottle cage behind the seat) and me on my cruiser. We hop off and then we play chase. He likes me to try and catch him.
So to bring this conversation back around to the point. There are ways to do it. But most importantly, include your children. There is no better feeling than watching your kids take an interest in something their "Old Man" can teach them. Too many multisport athletes become selfish with their time and go out without their children. Sure...you may have to give up a top spot in the awards ceremony, but trust me...the first time you see your kid in a foot race and he "throws down" and you KNOW it is because he has learned it from you...well, that is better than ANY award I have ever received. Take 'em out! Teach your children that even us old dudes can still move pretty fast.
So onward Mark & Enzo...your days of endurance have just begun!
