For those who don’t know us, I’m Debbie and I’m a pro triathlete (although my last triathlon was last year, coming 5th pro at Ironman Marbella…). Last June, I started back working from being on maternity leave into a new career, leaving oil and going back into law, but working full time at home (the plan was part time in the office but this was too good an opportunity to turn down!). My plan was to focus on work during the 2nd half of last year, putting off triathlons until now.
Kyle is my husband and he is an ultramarathoner (I was going to say “was” but he recently smashed the field at Ultra X Scotland so I have to use present tense now!), manages Athletics Trust Scotland (his dream – athletics and charity work!), runs a coaching business and also organises a race series (6 races over 4 dates every year), the Moray Way Ultras.
We have Logan, 3, and Lennox, 1. Basically a very boisterous period in their lives, where they are non stop and have farrrrr too much energy!
In case training for 4 sports, raising 2 kids and having however many jobs is not enough, we have also decided to enter our “A” races for the year 1 week apart. Kyle is doing the West Highland Way race, from Milngavie to Ft William on 17th June, and the following weekend I am in the women’s pro field in Challenge Roth, my 1st iron distance race since having children, in what has been deemed “the best women’s field in European triathlon history“!
First of all, we couldn’t do it without the massive support system of our parents. My mum is incredible, taking the boys Mon & Tues, and Kyle’s parents Thurs & most Fris, so we can work/squeeze in some training. Kyle tends to spend the majority of Sundays coaching, so looks after them Wednesdays and we have family day on Saturdays (which means early morning training!). When they go to bed, we either work some more, train some more, or Kyle does his podcast, Tartan Running Shorts. I can’t stress enough this is only short term and it is not sustainable to train this much between us, while being good parents, spouses and workers, but for the next 4-ish weeks, we are embracing this relay environment!
We promised each other that we would not train so hard as to have to spend the rest of the day in bed. In that case, we are choosing to train “smart” and consistently. For example, Kyle has chosen not to run >3 hours and would rather have quality in each run.
If anyone is interested (and we do get asked a lot!) what our weeks leading up to our June races have looked like, I would say it looks a bit like this (we are not ones for secret training!):
Monday: early bike ride for Debbie while Kyle drops Logan at nursery, Debbie & Lennox work from Grandma’s house. Debbie swims at lunch, runs around 4pm, then heads home to do dinner/bed, and works in the evening. Kyle works all day, running once at lunch and usually podcasting in the evening.
Tuesday: Kyle runs early, Debbie drops Logan at nursery and Grandma comes to our house. Debbie does early lunch bike threshold and another bike threshold after Grandma heads home and work is done for the day (Norwegian method, courtesy of coach Lewis). In the evening, we either work or Netflix.
Wednesday: early run and swim for Debbie and Kyle does his run session while Lennox naps, then Kyle does something fun with the lads in the afternoon while Debbie works. After dinner/bed, we both may do a run (1 outside, 1 on treadmill)
Thursday: early run for Kyle then early swim for Debbie then Kyle’s parents come in to babysit. Debbie does a run session at lunch and Kyle runs again at some point later in the day
Friday: more likely to be a recovery day for both of us. Logan is off nursery so we might buggy run or park around work if Granny & Grandad don’t come in.
Saturday: early bike ride for Debbie, Kyle runs while Lennox naps – family afternoon
Sunday: Kyle works and Debbie plays with the lads
As I said, it’s not sustainable as we ultimately put family first, but it has been a fun challenge for the last 6 weeks! In total, this schedule means Kyle manages around 90miles average a week and me 16 hours. Needless to say we are tired a LOT and our food bills are through the roof!
A big thank you to our parents for supporting, my training buddies who are getting me through tough swims (Pappy, Brad & Steve!), coach Lewis and also everyone who was at the Moray Coastal 50 at the weekend, who are always asking what we’re up to and claiming we inspire them… that really keeps us going!
See you on the other side but, for now, here’s some cute pics of our holiday to Disney World in January (as it’s a pretty dull post otherwise!):
Kyle Runs & Deb Tris 
I laughed when you mentioned the boundless energy of your boys. With you two as parents what else would be expected?! 🤣
Great work keeping it all going. Best of luck in your races. 💪🏻
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