A new sponsor brings some hasty self-reflection

I train with Athletica.ai which is a computer based program that analyzes workout data (using AI of course) then generates a perfectly tailored plan to maximize my training and performance. Several weeks ago I received news that I had been selected as a Development Athlete for Athletica. I’ve used several online platforms but this is the one I like most. Primarily because of the huge scientific knowledge base it uses in the background and how coherently it explains the reason behind each assigned workout. I like to know why I’m doing what I’m doing. At least when it comes to training. When it comes to parenting, as my eldest will quickly point out, there is no reason why I do anything…more on the tweenager years later.

I applied for this sponsorship in January and promptly forgot. Mostly I didn’t think I’d be selected and also because when it comes to training I am always looking for a way to hustle and save money. I apply to lots of things – triathlon is expensive. When I applied, I filled out an online form but also had to write a bit of an essay about my training goals, who I am, and where I want to be in X years.

I’m sure I wrote this very well, not to toot my own horn, but I AM a writer after all.

However, my short term memory is lacking because not only did I forget I applied I forgot what I wrote.

Behold! I was selected. Huge news. I am on a team of 7 athletes, the Athletica Development Team. We receive a year of free training plus monthly meetings with the developer of the software who is an exercise science PhD. Included is unlimited access to a team of coaches to ask questions, analyze sessions, receive overall support and have monthly team meetings. This is amazing.

The first team meeting arrives. I’m nervous, I’m excited, what other types of athletes will I meet? I suspect mostly triathlon but there’s a strong running crowd that uses this platform, too. I dial in, we smile and share where we live (around the globe) and start a round-robin introducing ourselves and our season goals.

1. First guy is a short-course professional athlete. This is a big deal and hard to qualify for a professional license. Plus he competes in triathlons around the world. Short course means mostly sprint and olympic distance, super fast.
2. Second is a young girl who is qualifying for the Canadian National Trail Running Team this season. She will compete in Nationals and I suspect her target is eventually a larger global scale…if you catch my drift. Also a big deal.
3. Third is a guy who was the overall winner of the Canada Ironman last year. Significant achievement.
4. Two more guys who I can’t remember what their accomplishments were because at this point I’m panicking. What did I put on this essay? What did I say about myself that made them think I fall in the same category as overall winners, national team athletes, and professionals? All I remember: I was laying on my bed doing the application, putting off the kids’ bedtime, and annoyed when I had to switch from typing on my phone to my laptop because there were so many essay questions…
5. Me.
   Well hi. I’m Inge. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the Kinetic Cup, but I’ve placed top 5 for 2 years in a row and this year my goal is to win it overall. (As I spoke, my salesmanship kicked in.)
   The Kinetic Cup is a pretty prestigious competition based on the East Coast of the US, the organization puts on triathlons of varying distances and each is weighted according to depth of field….
   Also if you’re familiar with the Mt. Bachelor Ascent 50k trail race that occurs every year, I’ll be competing in that in the Fall. One of my unique athletic traits is the ability to go back and forth between triathlon and ultra trail running…
   You get the idea.
   

We all have different sides to who we are and what we do. I truly could not remember what aspect of my athletic personality I emphasized. I had to ask Hubs what he thought and after some brainstorming it started to come back to me.

That’s my marriage advice, find someone who gets you, because he’ll remember you when you’ve forgotten yourself. Cryptic, I know. But check back in 50 years and maybe I’ll have another nugget.

My mission statement has always been to show my kids we can do hard things and that life doesn’t have to be a choice of one single path. I wrote my essay on being a woman and a mom in sport. I described the too-typical tale of a woman who counts herself out from achieving goals. Not because she can’t but simply because we tend to over-sacrifice for our kids, our careers, or adulthood in general. I want to reach the audience of women who started a career or felt the responsibilities of life were too big and gave up on what they enjoyed before. If you liked being active, or having that hobby, or reading those books – I hope you find a way to get back to that.

I wrote that I want to qualify for my professional triathlon license some day but I don’t want to accept it. Because I don’t really want to travel the US to race and probably finish in the middle of the pack. I don’t want to miss out on coaching my Kindergarten basketball team or the home school swim team. I don’t want to miss my kids’ flag football games. But I want to know that I could have. I want to know that it was my choice.

So that’s what I wrote, and that’s what I said. And what I’ve learned after a few team calls is despite not being a pro or on the national team, I still have a lot of knowledge. My understanding of training science and racing dynamics is deep and I’m able to answer my teammate’s questions and offer advice in a meaningful way. There are 2 guys on the team who are parents like me and we talk about balancing full time jobs with training, plus getting kids to and from school, plus the toll it takes on our spouses to support us in our efforts, plus the cost of groceries for a family! It’s good for those young athletes to hear it, it’s good to see the older coaches nodding along and reminiscing over their careers and the stress of balancing it all but knowing you wouldn’t want it any other way.

I’m so excited to be with Athletica, it’s definitely rejuvenated my spirit for training and triathlon this season and I do believe their science backed approach is effective and really going to impact my season in a positive way. Stay tuned!