How I balance training and exercise with home life

I often get asked about the impact of my training and racing on home, family and "normal" life. Here's my big picture explanation of how i approach it.

And stating the obvious this is what works for ME....it's not advice on how to live your life so if you try this and get in trouble with the significant others in your life....tough luck!

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PS. When I provide a link here to gear or equipment I sometimes get a kickback from it. But I NEVER link to something that I haven't used or did use and didn't like! 👍

#worklife #balanced #marklewis

[johngardner]

Mark's channel - show up for the fitness, stay for the humour.

[cyclingnerddelux]

My first marriage failed because I chose my athletic career over my wife...I suppose when you look back you criticize yourself for being overweight...I look back and realize i was a jerk. Many years later, I'm slower but as ambitious as my age and situation allows.. These days I make it work well with my new partner. I agree with everything you said in this frank video, and as you can tell by the comments, your frankness is appreciated. Carefully managed selfishness is the key.

[russellwhyte]

I’m a widower now so I have no relationship compromises to make, however my wife was always very supportive of all my training. All the running, swimming and gym work were fitted in around our life together, the mountaineering was a different story and required a bit more compromise from both of us. Her only issue was with the cash I blew on the copious amounts of gear I “needed”. How did I get round this? I almost always bought new big ticket items the same colour as the old stuff, it would be a while before she’d notice, by which time I could claim “Oh, I’ve had that for ages”, in a casual manner.

[kennymacm]

I used to obsess about golf because with a worn out hip it was about the only thing ( along with cycling ) that my body could cope with.
Now nearly six years on I am playing decent golf and am back running. Life is good again (thank you NHS) Doing a 50 k in June too.
You have to be slightly selfish but I agree you can plan it around your life. Our kids are adults and gone so in the summer at least I obsess about me while sh obsesses about the garden. It works well for both of us

[adamchurchill]

“I put a lot of burgers into me” great line Mark, and jokes aside a very pragmatic and considered opinion that I concur with…

[bretthadley]

Man I am so thankful I found your channel! I love it! Keep up the great work. You motivated me to climb Alpe Du Zwift for the very first time yesterday... I did it in 78 minutes! I'm 100 Kg as well. No easy task for us husky riders and weekend warriors. I have been battling weight and depression and a mid life crisis compounded by major muscle injuries. You have have sparked my motivation again! I owe you. Thank you Mark!

[MrLeovdmeer]

One of the few persons on the internet that explain stuf clearly.

[JamesPedals]

This is exactly how I look at it... totally agree! I often get people think I spend all my time riding my bike (from social media) but the reality is that I also have a full time job, family and social life but I prioritse time for me both my physical and mental health and be a better person to be around. Thankfully my wife, family and work understand.

[emccrapple]

I'm lucky to have a partner who is overly supportive of my nonsense. Between Spartan races, ultra endurance running & cycling, she even supported me Everesting on Christmas day last year. I think that level of support is half of the balance battle. Think I'm going to buzz her the now and remind her how much I appreciate her...!

[JourdainColeman]

"And she's seen my fat photo, she's not stupid" - This whole video has a great message and great delivery! I applaud! 👌🏾

[FoobsTon]

Having just had a kid and just started viewing your posts... This question went thru my head....et voila.... You've addressed it!

[jordanweiner]

I couldn’t agree more with you Mark. Great message and well-articulated.

[VincentVanWersch]

A few minutes in and already convinced this is the best video you ever made. Second is the one you fell of the bike after the AdZ attempt.

[StevoIRL]

Question for you is how do you deal with training in the winter. I find that it's the one season that my body hates. Cold air playing havoc on my respiratory system and then the shorter days making it hard to motivate yourself.

[brynoffa]

Found your Channel recently. What a breath of fresh air. Very relatable with a great balance of science, common sense, humbleness and most importantly humour.

I’m always telling my partner to be more selfish when it comes to her health & exercise (which is important to her).. With 2 young children she often feels unnecessarily guilty taking time out. I have no such issues 🙂. I tell her to be more selfish (like me ) to put herself first sometimes. Who do the kids want for the rest of the day… happy mum who’s had her 10-20 km run endorphin hit, or moody mum who begrudges she hasn’t. I say that been exactly the same myself. The main point is that with a bit of planning it very doable. We also do the family thing with buggy runs, family recovery walks etc.

[leovanduyn]

I remember being a lump on the couch at 40 with a resting heart rate of 110 bpm and thinking if I don't do something I wont see 50. Plus I was quite certain I was not funny enough to keep my wife interested if I continued look like an albino Jaba the Hutt. Most of what you said is how we have maintained our balance during my journey over the last decade, plus it helps that my wife is a photographer so our weekends are filled with the 1st S and the C. Running joke is my husband is a cyclist and I am a photographer so we see each other in December. I guess the only part of your SECS manual that is different is the last S. For my wife it stands for SCRAM, because there are days she knows its better for me (mostly her) to be outside riding. Good stuff.

[bigfella]

The burger into you joke crushed. My colleagues are all staring at me.

[nigelgraham]

I completely agree. Hitting 50 (now 53) endows one with clarity - to see what counts and what is important. Kids have gone, job less interesting etc etc BUT the amazing freedom to devote time to your body and health. I’ve never felt more alive and fitter and enjoy training daily.

[Antoine-Zim]

Agree 100%. My partner used to be pissed off when I trained for my 1st ever triathlon, IM Cairns 70.3. I was "selfish" that time because I knew this training makes me feel happy and focus on something. That gives us a great reason to fly and visit Cairns, Australia around race week and we had a blast together traveling. I get her to be a volunteer for my 1st full IM. Even without doing any sports what so ever, she loves it and get hooked supporting the athletes and feel part of the IRONMAN community now. She's volunteering now every year and looking for my next IRONMAN.
Yesterday, To get my run done, before going to work, I woke up at 4:30 and jumped on my trainer for my 1h workout after work. Just after, I invited her to have a burger and beers in our local pub and we had a great time. Following that protocol, makes me more efficient, having great training in a tight schedule, spending more quality time with my partner, stay positive even after a average day at work. Stay fit and focus on a goal, makes me a better person and I think a better partner because it makes me feel happy and alive🙂👍

[montyv]

As a dad of young kids, I needed this. Thank you