Should you listen?

Great topic boys!

This is the eternal challenge we all face of balancing out priorities, focus, energy etc.

Personally, as a single guy I don't face the biggest issue of partner & family wanting to have their share of your life but in truth my need to train did lead to the break-up of my last relationship.....when faced with the question of "what do your running shoes give you that I don't?" the answer "less ear-ache" sort of put the nail in the coffin!

Work-wise, my answer has always been that to be effective in the office I need to have a release out of the office. Ok, turning up for meetings smelling of chlorine and wearing google lines may not be the norm but who wants to be the norm?

I don't want to play the game of "whoever is in the office first / last is the most dedicated etc" - I train before & after work and look forward to those sessions but when at work I'm as dedicated and have to be more focused than others who simply kill time to clock the hours up.

In summary, this lifestyle is part of me and who I am - ask me to take it away and you take away some of me.

Imagine me during my taper all day every day - and you'll soon be asking me to start training again!

Ok - thats enough - I'll put my soap box away and get back to work!

Merry Xmas boys!

I obviously don't know all the details concerning the extremeness of Ed's case but it seems absolutely ludicrous. His boss probably needs to take a good look at his life and priorities. He should tune in to Forever Fitness for body, soul and life lessons. Doesn't current management thinking suggest to employers that employees should be multi-faceted and active? Total loser. If Ed's boss also employed Chuck Norris, would he tell him to step away from martial arts?

However, maybe you should cut back on triathlon if:

• You’re becoming the office bore.

• You’re always asking for time off to compete.

• You’re often late or the quality of your work is suffering.

From "Brain Training for Runners" by Matt Fitzgerald.

"Cardiovascular exercise is scientifically proven to enhance brain health in a number of ways. Exercise stimulates the growth of neurons and strengthens their inter-connections. It has been shown to enhance cognitive function, including memory, and executive function (that is, planning and decision making)."

Updated on 12/18/2008 12:39:03 AM

I would get really fat as i eat so much food i would put on about a lb a day easy way to lose my flat chest Andy

His boss must be F*cking joking!

Maybe the problem is with Ed's boss. Maybe it's with Ed. I'd want to know what that problem is and try to solve it without giving up the sport.

Of course if that doesn't work I'd just take a hit out on his boss...

If it was the wife, I'd listen and find a compromise. If it was the boss I'd tell him to bugger off!

It's possible that Ed's boss is simply jealous of his freedom. Maybe Ed should turn it around and invite his boss on some group workouts and show him how he is able to use the workout to fuel his creativity/networking/focus or whatever skills he uses in his job.

As a father, husband, and business owner, I find that I am sometimes jealous of my fellow athletes who have far fewer responsibilities and end up "hating" on them. What I should be doing is figuring out how to be a better time manager.

To answer a question with a question, could it be his boss is subtly politely suggesting there is room for improvement in performance/productivity at work? What's the reason - why has it been suggested?

There is always an element of truth in any criticism, and only the individual can assess accuracy.

I've seen it written employees are unproductive two months before Ironman. Conversely my boss has encouraged me to stay active, as not only does my subconscious come up with solutions to challenges during long rides and runs, but I also consciously plan and think about work while training - yes Coach that could explain why the training plan isn't always executed precisely. Additionally the busier I am the more task focussed I become, and more productive - achieving more in less time, just like mothers who work part time are often the best staff. There's a few benefits, if applicable.

I would leave the job or start looking elsewhere. I stand by the saying "I work to live and not Live to work". Triathlons is more stress release from work and the kids. Cheers

I've dipped into Ed's thread on Runners World (UK) but to be honest didn't read much. If Ed's performance isn't below par and he's not forever requesting time off during term to race then his boss is clearly just an arse or looking to edge him out for whatever reason, picking something he knows that he wont give up to force him to leave.

I've been asked by my better 1/2 before to give up Ironman and I sulked for 6 months....bring on Lanza!

I agree with a lot of the comments so far. Really, if training is not affecting his work, then Ed's boss needs to shut it. However, if it were Ed's girlfriend, well then, that's a different story! I always say, "If your relationship is good, then you're not training hard enough!" Obviously, in that case, Ed would be a part of a larger group of completely crazy triathletes! Welcome aboard Ed!

Ed, if you cannot work this out with an honest discussion then it´s time to weigh things up.

What´s most important to you: staying in this job doing less tri to further your career (if possible , maybe the boss is just having a dig and will try another subject next?)OR continuing with Tri regardless.

Go for the open and honest approach with the boss, then if no results time to bail out.

It´s not the greatest time to be looking for another job.

If that was said to me I'd say "Alright then, I've been wanting to spend more time mountain biking anyway. By the way boss, do you have any idea how much I used to injure myself on my mtb!?"

Sorry game on tampon! Don't know what happened there damn iPhone ;-)

Updated on 12/20/2008 1:16:12 PM

Hi Ed, I posted above already but I just read that you are a PE teacher. I'm also a PE teacher. Never heard of a PE teacher being told to do LESS sport before ! I was "Head of PE" at a large independant school for a while and was always frustrated with teachers in my department that didn't take part in organised sport but continued to talk about the "glory days" when they were at university or in 6th form. I refused to recruit PE teachers who were not still active and /or competitive in organised sport. Not only is being an active role model super important as a PE teacher but it also enables you to have links with local clubs. Essentially, our biggest goal in PE is to increase the chances that children will continue to exercise beyond their school years.

Updated on 12/20/2008 10:39:38 AM

This is related in a wider sense. A number of years ago, my boss told me that I was a valuable asset to the company, and that I should not ride my motorcycle in the winter (I have a strong off-road background and felt comfortable with the risk for my very short commute). Well you can't win an argument with your boss, so I just ignored him and kept riding anyway. To say the least, I did not appreciate his concern. He is long gone, and now I am a boss. I try to remember where work ends...

By the way, why would anyone with an IQ over 50 think that mountain biking is significantly safer than triathlon?

best of luck to you both with the job market. We're all right behind you!

If it wasn't for an inspirational PE teacher 20some years ago I doubt very much I'd be where I am now, in both sporting and professional terms. Good luck qualifying for Kona (unless you're in my AG!)

Kia Kaha

Classic I only managed to delete my own post! D'oh!

Basicly all I wanted to say was that thanks for all your advice and support. If you want to check out the orginal thread it's on www.runnersworld.so.uk and search for my boss wants me to stop doing triathlons.

Thanks bev and john - keep on rockin!

Merry Christmas and have a happy new year all!

I've already commented at length on the RW forum but my view remains that, as this has nothing to do with performance, it is pretty much down to a boss who has a problem and is being a bully. Three options are ignore (not easy), challenge (again, not easy), leave (this isn't easy either, but it at least puts Ed in a position of control again). The whole situation is dreadful and I feel enormous sympathy for Ed. I would love to hear what the outcome is, and wish him well for the future.

For £5000 I'll take your boss out!

Not only will this solve your dilema, you could then get promoted to his role, more cash to spend on tri kit and a nice new shiny Felt DA or P4 as a bonus.

Gary "The assassin" Fegan

Updated on 12/21/2008 2:16:02 PM

I'll do it for £4500.

Mike "hitman" Hewison

Ask for specific instances where triathlon meant your work wasn't up to scratch. Chances are you'll find it's a 'face time' issue and nothing to do with performance. If it is then the boss realises he's being silly and you get on with life. If it isn't a 'face time' issue and is a real performance related problem you figure out a way to address the performance issues or change job.

And don't be palmed off with hand waving comments about performance, make sure you get specific instances and what your boss thinks you should have done in those instances.

Hey guys,

Long time listener and first time poster. I love the podcasts, listen to them on the tube in London and some of the one liners are great. Dick Hoyt question was a gob smacker!

Tell the boss to get stuffed, bit it's different when it comes to partners. I did IM NZ couple of years ago and had a spell in Taupo Hospital (good guys there) and was pretty much told don't compete again. I was fine with that, but I have since been given the all clear from the doctors so started training and racing again. I am confident I can race an IM but the GF said she won't be there at the finish line, fair enough after seeing me faint 3 times last time and get my heart rate (resting yeah right!) down to 28. Basically like all things in life you just need to find balance.

Keep it real.

Cheers

Nod Nod Nod

To Ed Green re your question "By the way, why would anyone with an IQ over 50 think that mountain biking is significantly safer than triathlon?"

The answer is not me! My answer was meant as sarcasm, ie if my boss didn't like me doing triathlon, I'd choose to do something far more risky or time consuming so that the boss would prefer me going back to triathlon

Cheers guys thanks for all the comments and support again the ironic things is, is that the boss the has pushed me and wife so far that we've both decided to apply for new jobs else where. So fingers crossed! I'll keep bev and john in the loop as to what goes on cheers all ed

Cheers guys thanks for all the comments and support again the ironic things is, is that the boss the has pushed me and wife so far that we've both decided to apply for new jobs else where. So fingers crossed! I'll keep bev and john in the loop as to what goes on cheers all ed