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The Sprint Triathlon of Motherhood
Today, my partner is taking part in a sprint triathlon, which is pretty impressive considering the level of training and skill needed to transition swiftly between events. It requires meticulous planning and extraordinary physical and mental endurance.
Last year was his initiation into this world, and we quickly realized that the transitions are nearly as crucial as the race itself. If he struggles with taking off his wet suit or drying his feet, it could mean the difference between finishing first or third, or even setting a personal best.
While I wouldn’t call myself a triathlete by any stretch, I began to reflect on the unique triathlon that mothers like me face every single day. There’s not much swimming, biking, or running involved, but it’s definitely a sprint filled with transitions that can make all the difference between a good day and a great one.
Yesterday’s Highlights
Let’s take a look at yesterday’s highlights of my daily triathlon: I kicked off the day by getting the kids ready for school. We shared a healthy breakfast as we rushed to don our “race gear,” ensuring homework was done and lunch bags were in hand.
Then, we were off! I navigated through neighborhood construction with finesse, opting for the best route to shave off precious minutes, dodging cones, traffic, and school buses. We made it to school, cutting our average time by three minutes—what a fantastic start! I was already plotting my transition from mom to professional in my head.
Suddenly, I caught sight of my youngest son’s face. Oh no! He had left his lunch behind while tying his shoes. There went my personal record. I had to quickly pivot my strategy and decided to have a sandwich delivered to the school instead of risking my timing. With a quick goodbye kiss, I sent him on his way.
Transitioning into my workday wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped. I focused on preparing for meetings and conversations, but then my boss decided to pop into my office for what was supposed to be a quick chat. That five-minute discussion stretched into 45 minutes, and just as I was about to leave for my 11:30 a.m. meeting, I realized—oh no, I had forgotten to order the sandwich!
Frantically, I called a colleague to inform her I’d be late and scrambled online to find the school address (because, of course, I didn’t have it memorized). I should have created a profile for quick access—note to self for the next race! After ordering the sandwich, I managed to reach my son just in time for lunch.
However, I was now late for my meeting. I rushed through the office, only to find the door locked during the lunch hour. Thankfully, a teammate was there to let me back in. This was usually my time to catch up on emails and refuel, so I quickly munched on a hard-boiled egg, an apple, and some string cheese, all while prepping for the second half of my day.
Back to Mom Mode
Next up was the challenge of transitioning back to mom mode. I had another meeting scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m., after which I had to pick up the kids from different schools and get them to soccer practice by 5:45 p.m. Luckily, both practices were at the same location!
This part of the day felt like a real sprint. I was exhausted, but I pushed through, leading the meeting with positivity and keeping my team on track. With the clock ticking, I packed up and dashed to my car, which was inconveniently parked far away. I picked up my oldest just in time at 4:46 p.m. Phew! But then, a wave of panic hit me—I had forgotten to pick up my youngest first.
This mistake meant my son had to wait, and I could already feel the pressure mounting as I envisioned the consequences. I took a deep breath and opted for back roads to save some time, but we still arrived 10 minutes late for pickup. Thankfully, the coaches were understanding, and I managed to get the kids fed and changed before practice.
I quickly transitioned into chief operations officer of the home, stopping at Target to exchange cell phones and grab groceries. With dinner on the horizon, I was riding a high from the adrenaline. I even picked up takeout to avoid late-night meal prep, determined to finish my day strong.
After a whirlwind of activity, I finally crossed the finish line back home. Reflecting on the day, I realized that maybe sprint triathlons aren’t my style after all—perhaps I’m more suited for a marathon pace: slow and steady sounds pretty appealing.
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In summary, motherhood can often feel like a sprint triathlon, filled with transitions and challenges that test our endurance. But with a little planning and a sense of humor, we can navigate through it all and come out stronger on the other side.