My daughter had worked only months at a Big Four accounting firm when she said, “Mom, I want to cut my hours and go part-time, so I can work out more. What do you think?”
Gwen had a passion for swimming and running — she had been a University of Wisconsin athlete in both — but after graduation, she settled into a job preparing corporate taxes.
I knew a USA Triathlon recruiter had called, and the word “Olympics” got tossed around, but Gwen had abandoned college swimming on the advice of her coach and given up a dream of running professionally when her times weren’t fast enough. She’d only recently gotten a road bike. How could professional triathlon be a serious pursuit?
“I’ve been improving every race,” she said, “and USA Triathlon wants a commitment.”
When my daughters were young, I believed sports and music would build confidence, provide a solid group of friends and teach discipline. So, I spent three-day weekends inside natatoriums, fall afternoons on cross-country courses, Tuesday nights at violin lessons, and Friday evenings in the basketball bleachers.
