Training Partner

Most of the time, I train alone. It's a time of reflection for me. I get a lot of thinking done on my long rides, and when I run.  And I can go at my own pace, speeding up or slowing down when I feel the need.  I've never really thought I wanted or needed a training partner.   But then, last week, I was lucky enough to have my husband as a training partner.  Being a teacher, I had the luxury of having a week off for Spring break and he was able to juggle his work schedule around a little so we could train together while the kids were at school.  To kick off the week, we ran a 5K race together, and he pushed me to run my fastest race ever.  Later in the week we took a hilly 5 mile run around our neighborhood golf course.  My orginal plan was a shorter, flatter route. Every time I felt like slowing down a little I just looked next to me and was inspired to try and keep up with his pace. When we rode together it was the same. I followed along as he navigated us along some hills on a country road, and I tried my hardest not to be too far behind.  I pedaled harder and faster than I normally do when I'm all alone.  When he asked if I wanted more hills I said yes, even though I was tired.  And my legs burned going up those hills, but I was also rewarded with the free feeling of racing down the other side of those hills.  We went to the lake for our first open water swim of the season. I wanted to jump out and run back to the car as soon as my feet touched that 57 degree water. I couldn't stand to put my face in the frigid water. He reminded me that I would feel warmer if I got moving, and helped encourage me to get going.  Then he made it look easy. It didn't feel easy for me, but again I trusted and followed him.
     What I realized over this last week, was that I do need and want to have a training partner. Because just like every other aspect of our life, he encourages me and pushes to me work a little harder, to be better than I am, to do more than I would on my own.   

Proverbs 27:17   As iron sharpens iron,so one man sharpens another