Keeping up with the Jones'

So I've spent my summer keeping up with the Jones' (aka our neighbors the Arens') and I mean literally keeping up with them!
This is how many a conversation went this summer...
Dana: I want to run such and such race, do you want to do it with me?
Me: No, I hate running.
Dana: Great! What time should I pick you up?

Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but for some reason or another I let Dana talk me into a number of races this summer and you know what, I've enjoyed myself! I feel like I've come a LONG way since the first race we ran back in June. (I've come 120 miles to be exact, but whose counting?) Anyway, for that first race I only had to run 2 miles. Can I tell you how bad 2 miles scared me back in June? I even made John run the 2 miles with me because I didn't think I would be able to run that far without someone there to keep me going.

How far have I come? Well, Saturday I ran the Air Force 10k with our neighbors Matt and Shersti. And guess what? I had the crazy thought cross my mind that I wished I was running the half marathon with Dana instead of the 10k. What? Did I really just think that? I told you I've come a long way, not just physically but in my overall feelings about the sport of running. Anyway, the 10k was a lot of fun and I'm proud of myself for doing it! I ran with Matt and Shersti the entire way and I enjoyed their company way more than I would have enjoyed pushing myself to finish with a faster time. (I really don't think I have a competitive bone in my body.) My awesome cheerleaders John, Gabriel, and Porter were all waiting at the finish line. Gabe even joined me to run across the finish line at just under 80 minutes.

Since it was Shersti's birthday she invited me and Dana to go get pedicures that afternoon. Aaaaaah, that felt soooooo good on tired feet! Happy Birthday Shersti!

Guess it's time to start training for that half marathon now. . .