Twisted Sister

My sister is older, wiser, taller, more focused, and did I mention wiser? Well one day she had a colossal lapse in judgement and calmly asked if I wanted to run the 2007 Los Angeles Marathon with her. This would have made sense had either of us been runners.

I had been jogging somewhere between two to four miles on a somewhat regular basis over the past several months, but my sister was more of a hiker, a fast walker, a swimmer, and a shopper.

As the younger sibling I rarely hesitate to do what my big sister tells me to do, so that was it. Still in shock and full of fear, I signed up for the marathon.

My sister joined a group called the LA Leggers , a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that offers members training and an educational program that enables individuals to attain their own personal goals in running half and full marathons. I was most impressed.

We trained for months and ran our longest run together during the Christmas holiday, and before we knew it that weekend was upon us. The temperature was uncomfortably warm, somewhere in the 80's. The race started later than usual, the sun was out, the course was hilly, and the crowds were thick. It was more difficult than I expected and I repeatedly chanted "don't ever do this again" in my head.

So now as I am training for another marathon I occasionally ask myself why on earth I am doing this. Then I remember where I got my crazy. My sister. She never ceases to amaze me. And while her running wings have temporarily been clipped due to giving birth to a beautiful baby boy, I can't wait to run the next race with her.

With one month left in my marathon training, I am dedicating all of this hard work to my sister. I would have never accomplished this without her.