Cycling with Ellie

Went for another bike ride around the peninsula today with my friend Ellie, who is on the final taper for the Chesapeakeman iron-distance triathlon coming up in just one week. We had good weather for it: 72*F and overcast, although the winds were at 12 mph sustained and 24 mph gusts. (I know, not very windy compared to what I've been seeing on CNN courtesy of Rita for the past 12 hours, but challenging to cycle in nevertheless). That wind slowed us down a little, plus taking it easy on a couple of the backroads we explored cut down our average speed a little, so the final total was 47.3 miles at 15.6 mph, finished in 3:01.

It was great to see her, and the ride seemed quite easy for her, which is perfect! I admit I was pushing a little harder than I would have without her for the last few miles, but she's considerably more fit than I am, which is entirely appropriate. (Maybe that's where I'll be a year from now?) Now if she can just remember to take it easy for the last week of her taper, I have a strong feeling we're going to see a new Ironman a little over a week from now! Hey, it looks from the entries that Ellie will be the oldest woman competing - how cool is that!?

Go Ellie! You're going to do GREAT! As always, it was great fun to see you and it was wonderful having a cycling partner out there on the roads!

I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing that day - volunteering in some capacity, but I'm not sure yet exactly what I'll be doing. I'd like to see the swim start, even though that involves a 3AM wakeup. We'll see next weekend! I'll be watching everything carefully with great interest, since this is a perfect alternative iron-distance event for me (just 45 minutes from home) if I don't make it into Ironman Florida next year. (Hmm, did I just say that?)