Are You a Triathlon Widow?

I may be some time.

Triathlons are the new mid-life crisis. Porsches are so passé – feats of endurance are the new way to beat that “I’m 40” feeling. Are you, like me, a triathlon widow?

I’m not 40. Yet. But many of my peers are. And it seems that not a day goes by without a Facebook request for sponsorship for a physical challenge that is going to make them feel young again.

I get it. Mid-life makes you aware of your mortality. You want to be healthy and strong. You want to kick the footie around with your kids when they’re back from uni.

And you want to get out of the house.

For hours.

Every Saturday.

And Sunday.

And then flop on the sofa, groaning weakly, “I’ll help with bedtime in a minute. Can I have some w-w-water?”

We see what you’re doing here, menfolk! You are getting fit; we are getting frantic. “Daddy’s just going for a ride, darling. He’ll be back for teatime.”

HE’D BETTER BE!

It’s not just the actual cycling, running, swimming, whatever. It’s the time spent:

• Researching the perfect kit (for this very likely one-off event)
• Mapping endless routes – both before and after
• Making trips to specialist sports shops
• Meeting fellow “triathletes” for strategy planning. In the pub.
• Smugly eating the contents of the naughty cupboard, because they’ve burnt a gazillion and 29 calories on their run (they know this exactly because they have all the tech).

But of course, I can’t say a word against Mr Wry’s mid-life tri-sis.

“Because it’s for charity.”

Which certainly puts my petty complaints into perspective. Yes, he may be getting fit as a positive side effect, but the driving reason for his participation is to raise money for a cause very close to our heart. As is the case with the majority of people putting themselves through triathlons, Tough Mudder, Peak-to-Peak and the rest. I salute you all.

So, as much as it occasionally rankles that our lives are currently revolving around my husband’s “long rides”, I am extremely proud of him and wish all his fellow triathletes the best of luck.

As you’ve probably guessed, my husband is currently training for a triathlon: the Triathlon for Duchenne, or Tri4D. Our friends’ son, Jamie, who is two years old, was recently diagnosed with this rare, and currently incurable, form of Muscular Dystrophy. The Tri4D is raising funds for life-saving research that aims to “End Duchenne in 10” [years]. Over 150 mums and dads are competing (so there’s a few triathlon widowers out there too!).

I know we are all inundated with fundraising requests, so I’m not going to ask for sponsorship (although that would be lovely, of course). But if you could Like the Tri4D Facebook page, follow on Twitter, share over social media, anything to spread awareness of this campaign, that would be awesome.

Thank you.