ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors use collaborative autoethnography, a methodological variation of autoethnography, to tell their combined coach-mother and paratriathlete-mother self-stories of preparing for, and participating in, what is considered to be the hardest long-distance triathlon in the world, The Norseman, in Norway. Adopting an evocative autoethnographic style the authors’ autobiographical data is incorporated into the narrative to show different experiences coming to light via a shared, mutual encounter. The intention is to connect to the reader, and convey, in a meaningful and accessible way, the lived experiences of two middle-aged mothers, one of whom is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. In so doing, the chapter contributes to a broader understanding of the under-researched intersection of sport, disability, and motherhood. Data consisted of typed notes from coach-athlete meetings, email communications, online training plans, and dialogic reflections on the coaching process. The chapter reflects on the methodological advantages that a collaborative approach to autoethnography offers and considers the powerful potential to centralize the voices of the silenced or underrepresented.
