Really, the Question is… Why Were They Driving an Aztek in the First Place?

My sister, Allison, was in town this weekend for my Grandfather’s 95th birthday party. I’d like to say that it was an awesome surprise for him… but I don’t think he realized that she was the twin that lives really, really far away. By the time the other twin arrived, the party was in full swing and he didn’t really have the time to be properly surprised. At his advanced age, perhaps this was for the best. :p

I love having my sister around. I wish that I could see her more often. It almost makes me want to pull up stakes and move all the way out to California. I’m sure she’d just love it if I showed up on her doorstep, right? Do you think she’d have room for me, the dog, two cats and Kristian? Also, I’d probably need a job of some sort.

I suppose that I will have to be contented with the occasional visit.

One of the highlights of my weekend was going on a long training run with Allison on Sunday. We’ve been training for this half marathon “together,” but we’ve only done a couple of runs together when she was here for Christmas. Otherwise, it’s all been virtual. Not that I don’t love having her in my corner, but it’s so much nicer when we can head out running together. Knowing that we’ll be running this race together pushes me to make sure that I’ll be able to finish it… but running with her next to me is a much better kick in the pants.

Our run was ten miles. I was a little nervous about finishing it. You know with that whole “stabbing pain in my foot” situation. But, I guess that the time I took to rest paid off. My foot didn’t hurt at all. Mainlining ibuprofen before we’d even started might have had something to do with it. Possibly. Perhaps.

This is how awesome we were on our run: at about the halfway point, we stopped and pushed a car up a hill. Yeah, that’s right. We ran six miles. Pushed a Pontiac Aztek up a hill. Then ran four more miles. Because we’re just that badass.

We were running along, happily chatting, when we noticed two women in an Aztek, frantically trying to get it to start and meeting with complete and utter failure. I ran up to their window and asked if they’d like a push. They happily accepted, one of them hopped out to help us and then I told them that it might work better if they put the car in neutral. The car slid backwards for a second, but then we leaned into it and started going forward. Slowly. Very, very sloooooowly. I think that the sight of three girls pushing a ridiculous vehicle shamed some of the people driving past, because a guy stopped and helped us. Which was nice, because then the car moved faster than an inch about every 30 seconds. We got it into a parking spot and were then on our merry way.

Let me tell you about the sensation of running after you are no longer pushing an Aztek. It feels like flying. I mean, I was mother loving Superman. I could do anything. I was footloose and fancy-free. At least for another half a mile until my fatigue caught up with me and I begged for a walk break. We still finished the run on a strong note. Well, strong for me. Allison probably felt like she was walking backwards.

I think I’m going to be able to finish this half marathon. I am so psyched.