Having lived and worked together for the past 15 years, Helen, an Olympian and world champion triathlete, and Marc, coach and property entrepreneur, are also juggling a family with two young children. But how do they do it, and keep a smile on their face? Here’s their advice…
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Separate work and ‘normal life’
Helen: “While triathlon is our main job and makes up a big part of our lives, we try to ‘leave it at the door’ and not bring it into the house, even though it all happens under the one roof. Marc stops being the coach, training partner (whatever other role he plays in supporting me in my training) and I try to stop being the athlete and we become ‘normal people’ – whatever normal is anyway!
“You have to have a switch of mindset and carry on with daily life, especially now during the Covid-19 situation. This is more easily said than done but now we have kids it’s less of a choice and more of a necessity.”
Have a combined goal and focus
Helen: “Setting and workings towards a mutual goal has meant Marc and I are always striving towards the same things and on the same page, even if we’re working on things separately.
“Whether this be setting goals for my training, or the managing of the properties that Marc does or Marc’s other coaching, we do it together. Doing this together means we jointly plan time to accomplish each goal, including managing the family and household around them.
“This brings both positives and negatives when it’s good we’re both happy but, when things start going badly, it can get to both of us.
“When things aren’t going so well, we find that we need to focus on distractions or a secondary goal together, that brings us both back up.”
Find common ground in what you love
Marc: “We like to do the same things. We would swim, bike and run regardless, and we enjoy doing this together and it’s more fun when we’re both fit. That common drive and interest brings us together. In the past we thought of training as a job, but now we consider it a privilege.
“That said, with kids, sharing this common ground is more about enabling each other to keep up with what they love. We make plans and create schedules to help each other manage all the elements and ensure the kids are engaged by the other. There is a lot of tag-team wrestling so to speak on the family, and we ‘tag’ each other in multiple times a day to enable sport, training and work.
“Take some time to plan a schedule that you both stick to. It needs to create the time each need, but also balance time together and, if you have kids, allow for spending quality time with them.”
Be aware of who and what you are to each other
Helen: “After 2012 we were challenged on how we worked together so we could become more effective. Marc and I had never planned to be ‘coach and athlete’ in addition to husband and wife, and now mum and dad.
“The elements of support that come with being athlete/coach were spilling over and impacting on being husband and wife, which made sense. Being aware of this and how it impacts on our environment has helped us mange our lives more harmoniously.
“It was something we’d never really thought of, but it’s helped us find the best way of managing work and life that creates the right environment for both.”
Make sure to have time apart
Mark: “Right now, no doubt everyone is getting a little bit more irritable with the person next to them, and this is probably doubled or tripled if there are kids.
“Make time for yourself and, when you can, get up an hour or so earlier and get your exercise done (or whatever is your own personal passion and joy) and similarly later when the kids or your adult housemate have gone to bed.
“Also, when planning your schedule, make time for each other, to be able to spend time catching up with the friends and family you’d each normally individually or combined catch up with that help enrich your life, or even let you vent about the others in the house!
“Time for yourself and time with others is key to a healthy balance when living under the same roof.”
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For Marc and Helen, the current situation of spending 24/7 together is something that is now normal, but it’s also something they had to work on over the years to make work smoothly. For everyone else, it’s a crash course, but hopefully their advice can be a helpful starting point for others who now find themselves in the same situation. Rather than see this as a challenge, Helen and Mark hope that using these simple points can help bring families closer together.
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Having lived and worked together for the past 15 years, Helen, an Olympian and world champion triathlete, and Marc, coach and property entrepreneur, are also juggling a family with two young children. But how do they do it, and keep a smile on their face? Here’s their advice…
Advertisement
Separate work and ‘normal life’
Helen: “While triathlon is our main job and makes up a big part of our lives, we try to ‘leave it at the door’ and not bring it into the house, even though it all happens under the one roof. Marc stops being the coach, training partner (whatever other role he plays in supporting me in my training) and I try to stop being the athlete and we become ‘normal people’ – whatever normal is anyway!
“You have to have a switch of mindset and carry on with daily life, especially now during the Covid-19 situation. This is more easily said than done but now we have kids it’s less of a choice and more of a necessity.”
Have a combined goal and focus
Helen: “Setting and workings towards a mutual goal has meant Marc and I are always striving towards the same things and on the same page, even if we’re working on things separately.
“Whether this be setting goals for my training, or the managing of the properties that Marc does or Marc’s other coaching, we do it together. Doing this together means we jointly plan time to accomplish each goal, including managing the family and household around them.
“This brings both positives and negatives when it’s good we’re both happy but, when things start going badly, it can get to both of us.
“When things aren’t going so well, we find that we need to focus on distractions or a secondary goal together, that brings us both back up.”
Find common ground in what you love
Marc: “We like to do the same things. We would swim, bike and run regardless, and we enjoy doing this together and it’s more fun when we’re both fit. That common drive and interest brings us together. In the past we thought of training as a job, but now we consider it a privilege.
“That said, with kids, sharing this common ground is more about enabling each other to keep up with what they love. We make plans and create schedules to help each other manage all the elements and ensure the kids are engaged by the other. There is a lot of tag-team wrestling so to speak on the family, and we ‘tag’ each other in multiple times a day to enable sport, training and work.
“Take some time to plan a schedule that you both stick to. It needs to create the time each need, but also balance time together and, if you have kids, allow for spending quality time with them.”
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Be aware of who and what you are to each other
Helen: “After 2012 we were challenged on how we worked together so we could become more effective. Marc and I had never planned to be ‘coach and athlete’ in addition to husband and wife, and now mum and dad.
“The elements of support that come with being athlete/coach were spilling over and impacting on being husband and wife, which made sense. Being aware of this and how it impacts on our environment has helped us mange our lives more harmoniously.
“It was something we’d never really thought of, but it’s helped us find the best way of managing work and life that creates the right environment for both.”
Make sure to have time apart
Mark: “Right now, no doubt everyone is getting a little bit more irritable with the person next to them, and this is probably doubled or tripled if there are kids.
“Make time for yourself and, when you can, get up an hour or so earlier and get your exercise done (or whatever is your own personal passion and joy) and similarly later when the kids or your adult housemate have gone to bed.
“Also, when planning your schedule, make time for each other, to be able to spend time catching up with the friends and family you’d each normally individually or combined catch up with that help enrich your life, or even let you vent about the others in the house!
“Time for yourself and time with others is key to a healthy balance when living under the same roof.”
Advertisement
For Marc and Helen, the current situation of spending 24/7 together is something that is now normal, but it’s also something they had to work on over the years to make work smoothly. For everyone else, it’s a crash course, but hopefully their advice can be a helpful starting point for others who now find themselves in the same situation. Rather than see this as a challenge, Helen and Mark hope that using these simple points can help bring families closer together.
Here is the statement, which includes a link to their in-depth guidance document for swimmers, from Swim England, BTF and the Royal Life Saving Society UK:
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The aim is to help prevent swimmers from getting into difficulties in open water – especially as the majority of locations will not have lifeguards – and putting extra pressure on already stretched emergency services.
The COVID-19 Guidance to Open Water Swimmers is being hosted on the SH2OUT website and includes:
Information on where to swim and accredited venues
Six key steps to consider before going on an open water swim at unsupervised locations
Assessing risk due to weather conditions and water temperature
Advice on wetsuits and equipment
Course planning and the safe entry and exit of the water
Plus, recovery and nutrition.
Jane Nickerson, Swim England Chief Executive, said: “It’s imperative that even the most seasoned of open water swimmers reads through this advice and follows it carefully.
“Not knowing the temperature of the water or how strong the current is could lead to swimmers struggling and in need of emergency help.
“That’s something we’re keen to avoid at all times but even more so in the current situation.
“We’re pleased to have worked so closely with British Triathlon and RLSS UK on this guidance to ensure our members can enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings safely.”
Andy Salmon, Chief Executive of British Triathlon, said: “We would encourage anyone considering open water swimming over the coming weeks to think before doing so and read our advice very carefully.
“During these unprecedented times, it is vital that we think of others before ourselves and make sure we neither risk the spreading of the Covid-19 virus or place unnecessary burden on emergency services.’
“We would also urge swimmers to comply with government guidance on social distance and travel.”
“Royal Life Saving Society UK Chief Executive Robert Gofton said: ‘We are extremely concerned that people will now rush to get into open water without proceeding with caution and understanding the potential life-threatening implications.
“If you are not used to swimming in open water, we strongly urge you NOT to start now unless you can do so under supervision and guidance.
“Open water sites, including beaches, are not currently supervised. There is no one to help you if you get in trouble and emergency services may not be able to get to you in time.
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“Please stay sensible, know your limitations, and please enjoy the water, safely.”
The RNLI has warned that there are currently no lifeguards on beaches and anyone who goes sea swimming must “understand the risks and take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe.”
Meanwhile, the three organisations are also due to publish advice for venues on the safest way to operate in line with social distancing measures in the near future.
“They are also encouraging people to use facilities as close to where they live as possible.
This advice is for England only and aimed at individual swimmers as club activity is not currently permitted under the Government guidelines.”
Advertisement
How to restart your swim training when lockdown eases
Here is the statement, which includes a link to their in-depth guidance document for swimmers, from Swim England, BTF and the Royal Life Saving Society UK:
Advertisement
The aim is to help prevent swimmers from getting into difficulties in open water – especially as the majority of locations will not have lifeguards – and putting extra pressure on already stretched emergency services.
The COVID-19 Guidance to Open Water Swimmers is being hosted on the SH2OUT website and includes:
Information on where to swim and accredited venues
Six key steps to consider before going on an open water swim at unsupervised locations
Assessing risk due to weather conditions and water temperature
Advice on wetsuits and equipment
Course planning and the safe entry and exit of the water
Plus, recovery and nutrition.
Jane Nickerson, Swim England Chief Executive, said: “It’s imperative that even the most seasoned of open water swimmers reads through this advice and follows it carefully.
“Not knowing the temperature of the water or how strong the current is could lead to swimmers struggling and in need of emergency help.
“That’s something we’re keen to avoid at all times but even more so in the current situation.
“We’re pleased to have worked so closely with British Triathlon and RLSS UK on this guidance to ensure our members can enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings safely.”
Andy Salmon, Chief Executive of British Triathlon, said: “We would encourage anyone considering open water swimming over the coming weeks to think before doing so and read our advice very carefully.
“During these unprecedented times, it is vital that we think of others before ourselves and make sure we neither risk the spreading of the Covid-19 virus or place unnecessary burden on emergency services.’
“We would also urge swimmers to comply with government guidance on social distance and travel.”
“Royal Life Saving Society UK Chief Executive Robert Gofton said: ‘We are extremely concerned that people will now rush to get into open water without proceeding with caution and understanding the potential life-threatening implications.
“If you are not used to swimming in open water, we strongly urge you NOT to start now unless you can do so under supervision and guidance.
“Open water sites, including beaches, are not currently supervised. There is no one to help you if you get in trouble and emergency services may not be able to get to you in time.
“Please stay sensible, know your limitations, and please enjoy the water, safely.”
The RNLI has warned that there are currently no lifeguards on beaches and anyone who goes sea swimming must “understand the risks and take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe.”
Meanwhile, the three organisations are also due to publish advice for venues on the safest way to operate in line with social distancing measures in the near future.
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“They are also encouraging people to use facilities as close to where they live as possible.
This advice is for England only and aimed at individual swimmers as club activity is not currently permitted under the Government guidelines.”
Advertisement
How to restart your swim training when lockdown eases
With lockdown rules changing across Europe and triathletes keen to get back into open-water, Norseman have today released a simple ‘swim safety code’, designed to keep outdoor swimmers safe.
Advertisement
Formed of a checklist similar to the ‘mountain code’ used in Norway to keep people safe in the mountains, the swim code includes advice on choosing an appropriate place to swim, why a swim buddy is important and how to approach water of different temperatures.
To launch the swim code, 220 Triathlon‘s Editor Helen Webster interviewed Norseman Safety Director Jorgen Melau and HUUB Design CEO Dean Jackson about open-water swimming, safety, gear and their plans for summer.
You can watch or read the Q&A interview here:
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Plus find the Norseman swim code here:
Advertisement
How to restart your swim training when lockdown eases
With lockdown rules changing across Europe and triathletes keen to get back into open-water, Norseman have today released a simple ‘swim safety code’, designed to keep outdoor swimmers safe.
Advertisement
Formed of a checklist similar to the ‘mountain code’ used in Norway to keep people safe in the mountains, the swim code includes advice on choosing an appropriate place to swim, why a swim buddy is important and how to approach water of different temperatures.
To launch the swim code, 220 Triathlon‘s Editor Helen Webster interviewed Norseman Safety Director Jorgen Melau and HUUB Design CEO Dean Jackson about open-water swimming, safety, gear and their plans for summer.
You can watch or read the Q&A interview here:
Plus find the Norseman swim code here:
Advertisement
How to restart your swim training when lockdown eases
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The UK lockdown has been tough enough but mentally and physically but, until recently, the ultra-strict lockdown in Spain has witnessed all outdoor exercise banned and only ventures to the supermarket allowed.
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One such triathlete experiencing the Spanish lockdown was the Girona-based top pro David McNamee, Britain’s highest-placed male in Ironman World Championship history and a man with one of the fastest long-course run legs in triathlon.
With that running gait unlikely to be seen on the race course at least until September, the Scot has been improvising from his city centre balcony, including doing an improvised 10km after his first virtual Ironman experience.
Isolation goals https://t.co/UjILJyukN1
— David McNamee (@DavidMcNameetri) April 15, 2020
“I just have to focus on what I can control,” says the 32-year-old to 220. “Having no idea what will happen with the race season is frustrating but it’s not something I can control. But I think this experience will be a wake-up call to how we take so many things for granted. I know personally I’ll never take for granted again the fact that I can travel the world doing something I love with very little restriction. And it’s been nice seeing how the triathlon and cycling community here in Spain have been supportive of the ban on outdoor exercising. People have adapted to the situation and supported the government’s decision.”
Like in Britain there’s been a widespread awareness of the role frontline workers are performing during the crisis, as well as heightened bonds between neighbours. “Every night we clap for the frontline workers,” says McNamee, who’s planning to be race ready by September. “That and a lot of shouting between balconies as people try and communicate. I developed a daily conversation with one of my downstairs neighbours while I was on my turbo and he was in his garden walking around in circles.”
Spain is gradually opening up some of the world’s strictest lockdown restrictions, meaning that McNamee and professional athletes can train outdoors with little restrictions. It also meant McNamee experienced his first outdoor run in 49 days. “It was like Christmas morning as a child. I did a 10.3k steady run which was painfully beautiful.”
Freedom Day:
– I ran 10.3k. It was the most beautiful training session of my life.
– Celebrating by having cake for breakfast (obviously porridge too)
– Same again tomorrow? #free pic.twitter.com/UtQr9bIfJu
— David McNamee (@DavidMcNameetri) May 2, 2020
Here’s David’s key advice on training through the lockdown…
BUILD MENTAL STRENGTH
I learnt to set myself some small simple goals to achieve each day that I could control. So, training wise, that was mainly cycling based but then I’d also target doing something else like reading another chapter of a book or making a certain meal for lunch or dinner. Write these down so that you can look back and see if you did or not.
SET GOALS
Set yourself targets that you can control. For me, over the coming months, I’ll now focus on getting my run fitness back and then, hopefully soon, that’ll include swimming as well.
UTILISE TECH & COACHING
I was never a fan of Zwift until this experience, but I’ve now been converted. Also having a coach has been crucial during the lockdown, and I’ve been speaking to him more during this time than I would even coming into races.
SWIM TRAINING TIPS
For the swim, I use resistance bands most mornings to try and keep some arm strength and a feel for the movement.
BIKE TRAINING TIPS
A mixture of Zwift races, including a 17.7km time-trial which was probably the hardest I pushed myself during this period. I also focused on leg strength so did, for example, intervals of 5 x 8mins at just below FTP and 70 cadence.
RUN TRAINING TIPS
Advertisement
After my treadmill blew up, I started skipping a lot. In terms of strength and conditioning, a lot of core work focusing on foot mobility and upper-body strength, with plenty of press ups.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
The UK lockdown has been tough enough but mentally and physically but, until recently, the ultra-strict lockdown in Spain has witnessed all outdoor exercise banned and only ventures to the supermarket allowed.
Advertisement
One such triathlete experiencing the Spanish lockdown was the Girona-based top pro David McNamee, Britain’s highest-placed male in Ironman World Championship history and a man with one of the fastest long-course run legs in triathlon.
With that running gait unlikely to be seen on the race course at least until September, the Scot has been improvising from his city centre balcony, including doing an improvised 10km after his first virtual Ironman experience.
Isolation goals https://t.co/UjILJyukN1
— David McNamee (@DavidMcNameetri) April 15, 2020
“I just have to focus on what I can control,” says the 32-year-old to 220. “Having no idea what will happen with the race season is frustrating but it’s not something I can control. But I think this experience will be a wake-up call to how we take so many things for granted. I know personally I’ll never take for granted again the fact that I can travel the world doing something I love with very little restriction. And it’s been nice seeing how the triathlon and cycling community here in Spain have been supportive of the ban on outdoor exercising. People have adapted to the situation and supported the government’s decision.”
Like in Britain there’s been a widespread awareness of the role frontline workers are performing during the crisis, as well as heightened bonds between neighbours. “Every night we clap for the frontline workers,” says McNamee, who’s planning to be race ready by September. “That and a lot of shouting between balconies as people try and communicate. I developed a daily conversation with one of my downstairs neighbours while I was on my turbo and he was in his garden walking around in circles.”
Spain is gradually opening up some of the world’s strictest lockdown restrictions, meaning that McNamee and professional athletes can train outdoors with little restrictions. It also meant McNamee experienced his first outdoor run in 49 days. “It was like Christmas morning as a child. I did a 10.3k steady run which was painfully beautiful.”
Freedom Day:
– I ran 10.3k. It was the most beautiful training session of my life.
– Celebrating by having cake for breakfast (obviously porridge too)
– Same again tomorrow? #free pic.twitter.com/UtQr9bIfJu
— David McNamee (@DavidMcNameetri) May 2, 2020
Here’s David’s key advice on training through the lockdown…
BUILD MENTAL STRENGTH
I learnt to set myself some small simple goals to achieve each day that I could control. So, training wise, that was mainly cycling based but then I’d also target doing something else like reading another chapter of a book or making a certain meal for lunch or dinner. Write these down so that you can look back and see if you did or not.
SET GOALS
Set yourself targets that you can control. For me, over the coming months, I’ll now focus on getting my run fitness back and then, hopefully soon, that’ll include swimming as well.
UTILISE TECH & COACHING
I was never a fan of Zwift until this experience, but I’ve now been converted. Also having a coach has been crucial during the lockdown, and I’ve been speaking to him more during this time than I would even coming into races.
SWIM TRAINING TIPS
For the swim, I use resistance bands most mornings to try and keep some arm strength and a feel for the movement.
BIKE TRAINING TIPS
A mixture of Zwift races, including a 17.7km time-trial which was probably the hardest I pushed myself during this period. I also focused on leg strength so did, for example, intervals of 5 x 8mins at just below FTP and 70 cadence.
RUN TRAINING TIPS
Advertisement
After my treadmill blew up, I started skipping a lot. In terms of strength and conditioning, a lot of core work focusing on foot mobility and upper-body strength, with plenty of press ups.
Ironman have announced, in conjunction with host city partners and authorities in Hawaii, United States and Taupō, New Zealand, that due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the 2020 editions of the World Championship and 70.3® World Championship cannot take place on their originally scheduled dates.
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The Ironman World Championship will now take place on February 6, 2021 returning to its historic original race month and marking 40 years since it first took place in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawaii. While a new date for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship has not yet been determined, teams are working diligently with local and national officials and authorities to secure a date for early 2021.
Similar to 1982, there will be two editions of the IRONMAN World Championship in a single year (February and October) to accommodate athletes who qualify during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
As a result of the continued impact of COVID-19, the qualifying window for the 2020 edition of the Ironman World Championship has been extended to provide further qualification opportunities. The most up-to-date information on overall qualification details for the Ironman World Championship can be found at www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.
Advertisement
For more information and event details for the IRONMAN World Championship, please visitwww.ironman.com/im-world-championship. Further updates on the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship can be found atwww.ironman.com/im703-world-championship.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Ironman have announced, in conjunction with host city partners and authorities in Hawaii, United States and Taupō, New Zealand, that due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the 2020 editions of the World Championship and 70.3® World Championship cannot take place on their originally scheduled dates.
Advertisement
The Ironman World Championship will now take place on February 6, 2021 returning to its historic original race month and marking 40 years since it first took place in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawaii. While a new date for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship has not yet been determined, teams are working diligently with local and national officials and authorities to secure a date for early 2021.
Similar to 1982, there will be two editions of the IRONMAN World Championship in a single year (February and October) to accommodate athletes who qualify during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
As a result of the continued impact of COVID-19, the qualifying window for the 2020 edition of the Ironman World Championship has been extended to provide further qualification opportunities. The most up-to-date information on overall qualification details for the Ironman World Championship can be found at www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.
Advertisement
For more information and event details for the IRONMAN World Championship, please visitwww.ironman.com/im-world-championship. Further updates on the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship can be found atwww.ironman.com/im703-world-championship.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey