Loving the Local Races

The training rides and runs have been getting a little old, so I decided last week to throw in some organized events for my long training over the weekend - a charity bike ride in Bastrop called Pedal Thru the Pines and a race in San Marcos called Moe's Better Half Marathon.  I had done both of these before and loved them.  Their local, small, grassroots-type events that get the community out in support of a good cause.  The multitude of events like this in Austin is one of the great things about this city...

...except when there is wind.  Saturday morning Jody and I woke up to the sound of branches scraping across our aluminum roof.  It wouldn't have been so disconcerting except for the fact that we were planning to ride 65 miles in it. We put on as much clothing as possible, threw our gear, our bikes, and our friend Chris in the car, and headed east.  It was a brutal day.  Chris was riding right behind me and said that my bike was literally at a 105 degree angle from the ground, being pushed over by constant wind.  But we plodded along, finished hard, and celebrated with some post-ride beverages on the grounds of Bastrop H.S.  This was by far the best part of the day:    

Nosh, MaryLynn, Jody, Jennie & Chris

w/ cooler of Spaten in the center

Fortunately, the wind died down by Sunday morning, but the temperatures stayed cool.  The greatest running buddy ever (who happens to also be married to aformentioned Chris) and I drove down to San Marcos for a crisp 13.1.  Based on the Garmin it was 13.2, but despite that and it being a hilly course, we both managed to PR by many minutes.  Here we are afterwards with the race's namesake, Moe:

I can't begin to explain how grateful I am for a friend like Michelle.  She's been so supportive of my IM goals, held me accountable, made me a stronger runner, and, most importantly, is a wonderful friend and listener as we pound out the miles each week.  If it weren't for her, I know I wouldn't be running as much as I have been!