This is why you train with other people

Yesterday, I had teed up a bike ride with some DC Tri people. When I woke up, it was a chilly 30 degrees or thereabouts. BRRR. But, because I had committed to meeting the group down at Georgetown by 10 am, I had to get up and get going. And, I'm glad I did. There were seven of us and I felt pretty strong and was pretty much on the lead part of the group the whole ride. This happened even though the cleat on my right shoe is worn out, evidently. On the hill by the Dalecarlia Reservoir, I tried to pull away from the two other guys on the front with me... but my shoe kept getting unclipped. Grrr. On inspection, the front of the clip was worn down so I had to adjust my stroke the rest of the ride. On hills, I couldn't only really "pull" on the left leg. I was still able to smoke up the Old Anglers Inn hill and separate from the rest of the group. It was a nice ride... though very chilly. But, a great example of why we train with other people... if I didn't have to meet the group, I may have stayed in my warm bed or done a less challenging ride later.

This morning, i was supposed to do a 13 mile run at a pace that put me under 1:55... my half marathon PR pace. Paul, who has been running with me on the long runs and who is also doing the RB Marathon, was joining me. We left the house at 10:25 am and it was chilly... AND windy.

We wound up doing a route that took us over 14 miles. About half of the route took us directly into a pretty strong gale, which I think was good practice for next week. Because I was bundled up appropriately again, the cold wasn't much of a factor. Downed half a water bottle of Accelerade and half a flask of Hammer Gel.

And, as you can see, I beat my PR pace. Again, I couldn't have done it without Paul. He really pushed me on the last 4 miles of the run. My mind was telling me that I was tired and to slow down, but as the results say, my body was still able to handle it.

Sub 4 hour marathon next week? We'll see... that is the goal. My marathon PR is 4:24 at the 2010 National Marathon on March 20 of this year.

Route
14.05 miles
2:02:18
8:42 minute miles
AVG HR 142