Thursday, November 11, 2010

My Other Half

 I'm back in New York now, baking pear bread and making soup and wearing Ugg boots (only in the privacy of my own home, don't worry) and generally coming to terms with the reality that it is, in fact, fall, and actually almost winter. It was easy to pretend that wasn't true in the 75-degree weather I enjoyed while I was in California, which generally kept me outdoors (and away from my computer- sorry).
But it wasn't all fun and games and Frisbees and swimming pools while I was out there (although there was a fair amount of that, I admit). I also accomplished something on my "Thirty Before Thirty" list! I ran a half marathon! And, what's better, I ran it with my best friend, Chloe!
Chloe and I have been friends (sometimes against our wills) since we were toddlers when our moms, who have been friends since the Kennedy administration (seriously), made us be friends. In the 29 years since then (the Reagan administration, for those keeping track), Chloe and I, both competitive by nature, have been amiably comparing ourselves to each other ever since. It doesn't help that, aside from the fact she's a brunette and I'm blond (Veronica to my Betty) we are so similar by nature: our heights, weights, shoe sizes (big), bra sizes (small), body types, personalities (bossy), and taste in decor and fashion are, and have always been, almost exactly the same. We went to high school together, moved to the East coast for college the same year, were married two weeks apart (and were maids of honor in one another's weddings), and bought our first homes the same year.
Chloe left me in her procreating dust when she and her husband had a baby last summer (not yet, thanks!), and she started running with a jogging stroller this spring.  And when I heard that, I did what any good friend would do: I peer pressured her into training for a half-marathon with me. So, since September, Chloe and I have been running the same training runs, and sending each other text messages with our times and distances, and how we felt. Even though she was in California and I was in NY, and technically, it's three hours earlier there, she usually finished the runs before I even started mine (babies wake up early, it turns out).
Unsurprisingly, when I got to California, and we were actually running our training runs side-by-side, we discovered that we naturally run the same pace. So when the race happened, we stayed together the whole way- each of us sometimes slowing down to accommodate the other, sometimes pushing ourselves to catch up- and 2 hours and 14 minutes later (10 minutes faster than my previous half)- we crossed the finish line. At exactly the same time. And I thought what I've thought a million times before, "I'm so lucky to have someone to do this with". 

10 comments:

Preppy Southern Belle said...

Congrats on the great time! I want to run a half marathon, but finding time to train for it is tough!
PS I clicked on your sidebar wedding picture to get a bigger look and I am jealous you were featured on Martha's site! How wonderful for the both of you! And the wedding was beautiful; all the little touches were spectacular.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to have had a friend all your life. My best friend and I didn't meet until we were five.

Sandra said...

Loved this post!
It reminded of me and my bestie also! We are the same height, weight, shoe size, hair color, eye color, bra size also! ha ha
Anytime we ever want to shop for new clothes but money is a bit tight we just visit each others closet! :)

Congrats on the half marathon! :)

K said...

That's fantastic! The race, the friendship (like a sister!), and your gratitude for all of it. Inspiring, warm, and wonderful.

Welcome back to the East Coast...we've missed you.

Bailey Beckstead said...

CONGRATS Lil!

So awesome you had someone to share this with :)

craftycarol said...

Good job! I'm running but yet to have a desire to run a half marathon. Maybe I will some day. It's wonderful when you can share something like that with someone and have a friendship that lasts so long.

Chloe said...

LOVE YOU TOO! That was so much fun. Miss you.

Chloe said...

OK one more comment now that I can see the keyboard as my tears have passed. You are the best friend a girl could have I couldn't feel lucky or more grateful to have you in my life....the only reason I smiled the entire race and was so happy telling your mom that it was fun, was because I ran it with you- finishing holding hands might seem corny but it was one for my memory basket. I love you with all my heart! Can't wait for the next one.

Jade said...

You guys are "two" cute!
Congrats!!
xo

Life of Jason said...

Pardon for posting so late to this, but I just found your blog today. I am a Cali native as well who has been transported to the distant lands of the Pacific NW. Running here is tricky with all the rain but if I stop for the the rain, I will NEVER get outside. My wife loves that I drag her out with me :P Where was this 1/2 Marathon you ran? Keep on bloggin'!