HOW IMPORTANT IS ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE TRIATHLETE?

We’ve all met trathletes whose spouse or significant other just “doesn’t understand” what you get out of the sport of triathlon.  In contrast, we’ve also seen those who keep the sport a “family affair.”  The spouse, significant other and children not only accompany the triathlete to races, but show their support and enthusiasm with signs, screams of encouragement and pride, and hours of patiently waiting for their special traithlete to reach the next transition and ultimately the finish line.

What an amazing difference it can make for the athlete who has this kind of support!  Instead of becoming bitter about the training time away from the family, families can join in by following in a vehicle to provide needed support and by showing pride in the triathlete’s accomplishment.  Make every effort to involve your personal support team in training and race days.  Your reward will be a special camaraderie that can’t be beat. 

It also helps if your “support crew” makes the effort to become more knowledgeable about your sport.  Sharing articles on training tips and success stories about the sport will demonstrate in a very solid way, their support of you, while also making you all more knowledgeable. 

On race day, the personal encouragement you receive from your support team will bolster you at the tough times, and those special hugs and kisses at the finish line can’t be beat! 

Triathlon is not only about competition.  It is a shared interest which athletes have in the sport.  It is supporting and encouraging other triathletes as they reach their personal goals.  It is congratulating a triathlete, even if he or she got to the finish line before you . . . or after you.  That might be just the encouragement that person needs at just that time.  Appreciate and support the efforts of ALL who TRI it.  It can be a huge boost to self-esteem.