General Cycling Discussion - Lance Armstrong, wife separate after four years of marriage

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/5235765.htm

Lance Armstrong separating after four years of marriage
Associated Press

AUSTIN - Four-time defending Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and his wife, Kristin, have separated after four years of marriage, the couple said in a statement Friday.

In a statement e-mailed to the Austin American-Statesman, the Armstrongs, both 31, said they were having unspecified difficulties in their marriage.

"We are working through these sensitive issues in the same way we have met other challenges in our life together with determination and dedication," the statement read. "We may experience a period of time apart from each other as we reflect on our relationship and work to preserve and protect the interests of our family and children."

Armstrong lives in Austin but departs for Spain on Monday to prepare for the European cycling season. Kristin Armstrong and the couple's three children will stay in Austin.

"We are like any other couple, except that we live in the spotlight of constant media attention, which makes working through this situation even more difficult. So, we particularly respect and appreciate any and all considerations for our privacy as we work through this difficult period in the months ahead," they said in the statement.

Armstrong overcame cancer on his way to four Tour wins. He'll bid for his fifth straight Tour victory this summer. Armstrong, who was named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 2002, hopes to tie the record of Spain's Miguel Indurain, who won from 1991-95.

Oh my gosh. I thought they were a great couple, read Lance's book "It's Not About The Bike" and personally felt they had something good going on in their relationship. I never thought this would happen, three children already and it should be going good. Sometimes life is so unpredictable, especially difficult under media attention ........

I do hope they get back together. Lance Armstrong is a great guy, Kristin is a great lady, they are more than a match made in heaven. I guess I'll never know what exactly happened but I wish them best, whether separated or together. God bless them and their family.

SO!It happens.

After 32 years of marriage, I know this much: Keeping a relationship healthy takes at least as much training, commitment, and discipline as does success as an athlete or anything else.

Yet most people get no training. They don't read about human behavior, they don't do counseling, they don't take advantage of support groups. Most of us have this incredibly naive view that the ability to maintain a relationship just comes naturally.

Most people don't seem to understand or believe that committment means that you don't get to opt out. You just don't.

And most people in relationships are perfectly aware of the behaviors that will damage it and the behaviors that will help it heal and thrive. Yet they lack to discipline to avoid the destructive behaviors.

I hope the Armstrongs figure this out. It will be especially difficult if they have to do it in public, but c'mon. They're not THAT famous.

RichC

With Lance being on the road all of the time it has to be hard on them.I hope it works out for them and the kids.

27 years of marriage with no training,i'm just married.No classes,advice,nothing.How ya figure!

It's probably just the strain of fame. She met him before he was famous- he was well known but he wasn't LANCE ARMSTRONG. Often, when one person in marriage becomes famous it puts a lot of strain on things. Plus, she's probably alone with three little kids half the year and he's out on his bike all the time training. When they got married she probably assumed he'd be home more. ANd let's face it, cyclists are really high maintenance and self-absorbed. I remember reading Jonathan Vaughter's column and all those reasons are exactly why he quit racing in europe- he got sick of being away from his family, but like he said, "I'm not lance armstrong."

I fell sorry for 5 beautiful people, Lance, Kristin, Luke and the twins, I feel sad,

It could be the difference in winning number five if the mental stress is too great. I hope they get things worked out, if not USPS should put Heras in the captains seat.

The career is important. The family is more important, though.

Yes, I would say that suggesting that the UNITED STATES Postal Service put FOUR TIME TdF champion Lance Armstrong on ice to turn the team over to Roberto Heras fits the bill for a "Forum radical and professional instigator."

Hmmm. Could this be the end of Lance's professional cycling career? Will he possibly retire after this year in order to spend more time with family?

The drama awaits!

Originally posted by easyrider
Yes, I would say that suggesting that the UNITED STATES Postal Service put FOUR TIME TdF champion Lance Armstrong on ice to turn the team over to Roberto Heras fits the bill for a "Forum radical and professional instigator."

I thought that would raise some eyebrows ;):p

Sorry to hear this. I hope they work it out.

This doesn't have anything to do with the split, but has anyone else ever noticed that Lance's wife looks an awful lot like his mom? I saw a bio on Lance on cable, and even though I'm not any more enthusiastic about psychoanalysis than the average guy on the street, even I started and said, "wow".

There's hope for us!!!

Seriously, if they work at it nearly as much as how hard Lance has worked at his career and life... they will get through it.

Originally posted by Arsbars
There's hope for us!!!

Seriously, if they work at it nearly as much as how hard Lance has worked at his career and life... they will get through it.

The problems are probably a result of how hard he has worked at his career. Unfortunately if he intends to persue #5 then he will have no choice but to put career over family. I can't be sure what I would do in his shoes. I would like to think I could put away the bike and spend the rest of my life stregnthening my family bonds.

We all have to make decisions in life, sometimes we think we have made a wrong decision but later ,sometimes much later our "wrong" decisions proves to be right. Lets hope Lance & his lady make the right choice !

Marriage is a business. You gotta constantly work at it and nurture it, or it can go down the tubes just like any business that suffers from apathy and neglect. Hope Lance and his wife make it. They've been through a lot.

I think we have to remember that virtually all relationships (even ones that survive for ever) go through difficult periods. I wouldn't say it's all over just yet. Maybe they just need a little time apart to work on some issues.

they are fine. lance's fame is fleeting. he will soon (weather it is 6 months, 1 year or a few years) be done and she will be begging for him to get out of the house. there has to be something else, but when i've got my own marriage figured out i'll move on to other people's.

it will get fixed sooner rather than later....

you don't go through what they had to go through with health and fertility issues to throw it away.

I can relate to this topic. At one time I was so obsessed with my plant, I ignored a marriage.. In this case, Lance's success made the family.. The family can go on Lance's tour and with their money- get the nanny's or whatever to make the rest of Lance's cycling tour work for all...
Guess, this was the reason Kevin Livingston retired from Cycling.. Maybe Lance Armstrong's ( the American obsession with elevating movie stars and athletes to royalty) family could endure one/two more years of Lance's cycling career, since it will secure the family financially for the rest of all their lives?
Who are we to say.? Just the public persona of Lance as the pinicle of being the great all around guy is a shock and a surprise to us all... Can't understand why this could happen towards the end of Lance's career?
Oddity of a movie we saw last night.. "The Life of David Gayle." Which I liked very much.. A line of dialogue that caught my attention:Something like, ' A legal Separation... a conflict of terms working to further the definition of the word -seperate.. Anyone seen a separation bring the couple back together?

I can almost assure you there is probably another woman involved in this somewhere. If there isn't one now, there will be one real soon.

Sad.
It's gotta be a bit stressful to be that couple.
She knew he was a handful going in but there was no way to know of his ultimate come back.

She may have lost in marriage but she has won the lottery.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
you don't go through what they had to go through with health and fertility issues to throw it away.[QUOTE]
I hope he kept some of the multi million dollar baby batter for the next gal.;)

Maybe he's not using a penis friendly saddle.

Originally posted by Greg
Sad.
It's gotta be a bit stressful to be that couple.
She knew he was a handful going in but there was no way to know of his ultimate come back.

She may have lost in marriage but she has won the lottery.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
you don't go through what they had to go through with health and fertility issues to throw it away.[QUOTE]
I hope he kept some of the multi million dollar baby batter for the next gal.;)

Those are pretty frickin' cynical comments. I don't even particularly like Lance as a rider and I would never say such things.

You know why they are having problems
1. He trains and is gone every waking hour with speaking, endorsements and more training.
2. She is very religious and he is not.

<B> She met him before he was famous- he was well known but he wasn't LANCE ARMSTRONG.</B>

Er, they met at a fundraiser *after* some of his fame. She was working for the PR firm and thought he was a pompous athlete, he thought she wasnt doing enough to support the effort and went to yell at her...
The rest is history as they say.

The whole thread is inane.The story made the papers.Why drag it in here and pick it apart, and speculate like a bunch of Dr. Phil wannabees?:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

...and you need to add your little comment because?
Maybe you should check the name of the topic and website. People like to talk about all bike-related in a bike forum...gee, what a novel concept.
Maybe you should take your non-too clever comments over to the political debates going on in this forum and show them how above everything you are.
In the meantime why don't you invent some new definitions for other side dishes besides applesauce (lame).

Originally posted by RacerX
..
Maybe you should take your non-too clever comments over to the political debates going on in this forum and show them how above everything you are.
. Politics!! Well, add religion too and and I wouldn't touch either with a 10 pole no matter what the material. So maybe that is being really 'ABOVE' the applesauce?

Dr. Phil is a crazy show..Have you ever watched Dave Letterman's show and seen him bash Dr. Phil?? It's great!

Strangely, when I read the article in SI about Lance, when Kristin said something on the matter of Lance not being religious, it struck me as though that was a point of friction, and that there may be some problems between them.

I hope that they don't divorce..In Lance's book, he says he always had a grudge against his real father because he left his mom. It would seem somewhat hypocritical to have said that, and then to leave his own kids.

I also think that tour number 5 coming up is probably a part of the problemo. Lance is probably training even harder than ever.

Originally posted by RacerX
Those are pretty frickin' cynical comments.

I agree although your use of adjectives is poor.

We Americans have turned the institution of marriage into a cynical practice.

Don't kill the messenger.

I enjoy and work on my marriage daily.

Wow! This is really sad news.
I read his book in 2001 and thought the chemistry was right for them.
Some of the posts have referred to their religious "differences". I may be wrong but I don't think that has a lot of bearing on their situation. I think he is under a lot of pressure to train for the "fifth win". If they can't work out their problems and Kristen doesn't go to Europe with him he probably won't have the mental attitude it takes to win the TdF.

I sincerely hope they can patch things up for the sakes of three lovely children and their chance for a wonderful life together.

Don't let us down Lance.

Forget the tdf. There are 3 children who need their dad to pour milk on their cereal every morning. Stick it out Lance.
It's not about the bike, and it's not out you anymore Lance.

Let's face it, cyclists are very high maintenance characters, and lance is probably the most high maintenance of all. The same drive that has pushed him to win four tours is probably what may cost him his marriage. His entire life is the bike and she's home with three little kids, and all the money in the world doesn't make up for being all alone all the time. There's no way winning five or six tours will come without a price- he'll age 20 years, or it'll cost him his marriage. Something has to give.

Originally posted by pokey
The whole thread is inane.The story made the papers.Why drag it in here and pick it apart, and speculate like a bunch of Dr. Phil wannabees?:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Pokey
is right, lets not speculate, things are already bad for them, and adding our 2 cents will not help their marriages, let just leave them alone.
Oscar

Years ago, a pretty young woman in our office got married. Three months later, she was separated and seeking a divorce. I asked her: "Was there another woman, Carol?"

She replied: "Yes. His mother!" :D

I get tired of the US obsession of smut TV and making issue with someone's private lives, when it is no ones' business... I am somewhat interested here.. Guess reason.. We as obsessed cyclists hear from our spouses - is that all you do..
You marry the head of GM or the nation's top athlete, you know it is an abnormal life, but the financial rewards are good and later in life the family will benefit.. Those aspiring spouses with extradnorary gifts must live them.. What would be the pits more than the life of a US politico ! A real fish bowl.. Do we condemn a First Spouse if they do not fit the role?
Anyway the cycling world needs its stars and since fame is a fly in the pan- if I were the cycling pro- I would expect the spouse to life the life for a couple years- travel with me and get a Nanny.. We can afford it.. But that is me...
The chance to ride the tour de France and have the podium girls kiss you would be tooo much to give up... Someone said Lance's spouse is religious.. Think I noticed Lance always has a cross about his neck.. Manybe not mean much?

Two good people got together. Two good people are having trouble. Whatever happens, I think each is probably a good person and will continue to be so.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
I get tired of the US obsession of smut TV and making issue with someone's private lives, when it is no ones' business...

So it's 'no one's business' only when the 'business' is less than flattering?

When you allow publication of and assist in the writing of a book about your life and you very clearly garner and cooperate with press coverage of many non-cycling issues and aspects of your life, then you really don't have any right to complain when the press covers the more embarrassing aspects of that life. You can't have it both ways. To his credit, though, Armstrong has seemingly not spouted the usual hypocrisy that many celebrities do when the press covers their divorces, addictions, arrests, and the like.

I think this obsession or over-the-top coverage about the Armstrong's marital problems is pretty silly and I generally make an effort to not read that sort of stuff. But then again the press writes what people want to read, too. Someone is reading that stuff...

I think what people probably need to keep in mind is that regardless of what is written about Armstrong or whatever we would like to believe about him or the pedistal some may put him onto, it's very likely he is just like you and me: not a saint, not the devil, just someone in between.

And with that notion should come the expectation and acceptance that his life has the same issues, problems, and difficulties that we all have. One of those is almost certainly a less-than-perfect marriage and one that is probably at least a little more difficult than most simply due to the constant media spotlight.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
I get tired of the US obsession of smut TV and making issue with someone's private lives, when it is no ones' business...

In general, I agree with you 100%. It would be nice if celebrities could hold on to some scrap of a private life. What I find interesting though, is that the ARMSTRONGS themselves sent out a press release and MADE this a public issue!

He easily could have gone off to Europe and raced through the spring and July without anyone wondering why she is home with the kids. The coming war and concerns about terrorism could be a perfect smokescreen.

Then they could really get to work on the marriage in August after some time to reflect. I'm just not sure why THEY made this a public issue.

Originally posted by easyrider
In general, I agree with you 100%. It would be nice if celebrities could hold on to some scrap of a private life. What I find interesting though, is that the ARMSTRONGS themselves sent out a press release and MADE this a public issue!

He easily could have gone off to Europe and raced through the spring and July without anyone wondering why she is home with the kids. The coming war and concerns about terrorism could be a perfect smokescreen.

Then they could really get to work on the marriage in August after some time to reflect. I'm just not sure why THEY made this a public issue.

Very good point easyrider. This could have been invisible to the public. Confusing......

It is bound to be hard to maintain a healthy family situation with the kind of schedule Lance has to have. I hope they work things out.

Maybe it's a secret plot to confuse everybody....

Originally posted by fubar5
Maybe it's a secret plot to confuse everybody....

I think a likely possibility is that some tabloid(s) is coming out with a story about their marital problems and they wanted to get their side of the story out first. It seems among celebrities that that happens a lot (pre-emptive press release).

Regardless, under the best of circumstances marriage for anyone who is (1) so visible to the public and (2) clearly one of the very few best at what he does is going to be difficult at best. It's certainly possible, but sometimes I don't see how.

The stress that professional athletes feel is incredible: one wrong move by you or one of your competitors and your athletic career is over in an instant. Or that people will never forget you 'til somebody new comes around (that interest in your story is fleeting). Then there's always the fact that you're a target: Armstrong's success and fame are things that countless other cyclists are shooting for and are looking to knock him off professionally 24/7. I mean, when you see those annual reports that list the best and worst jobs, professional athlete is always ranked as one of the most stressful jobs around. It's not difficult to see why and it's not difficult to see how that might make your personal life a little more rocky.

Whatever the reasons behind the press release, it was a nice thought but I doubt it will do much good. To the extent that the public here follows him, elements of the press will still seek out the less-than-positive aspects of his and his family's life and print it. It's too bad, but then again someone is buying enough of that crap to entice publishers to cover it.

Anybody know if Rumsas and his wife are still together?

Armstrong will still win 'The TOUR' this year, He is a giant and totally focused.

Well he's focused on some of the finer delights in france from what i heard on the sports talk this morning and they also said he's dumping her for some of the finer france extras.

Wow- I just read an update that goes more into detail. It makes it seem like this is probably something a bit more permenant:

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/55308.htm

Oh well...

Koffee

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
Wow- I just read an update that goes more into detail. It makes it seem like this is probably something a bit more permenant:

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/55308.htm

Oh well...

Koffee

Yeah, that's sad (if what the NYPost wrote is true). The closing line of that article speaks the truth, though: in every failed relationship, there is usually plenty of blame to go around.

Blame or responsibility- either way. ANd it does sound like they were kind of mis-matched in some pretty basic ways. If you're breaking up after only four years, it sounds like there are some serious differences there and maybe they don't really have a lot in common. And a guy who is so driven and single minded like that should have probably put of marriage and kids until he retired, like career women who put off kids until their 30s so they can spend time at home with them!