Here's her running story. In February she signed up for a half-marathon. She hadn't run a meter in years, but decided since her husband was busy in medical school she needed some new hobbies of her own. She didn't train with anyone, she ran every mile on a treadmill. *eek* Eight weeks later, she ran her first half-marathon. And she didn't stop there--she then signed up for a marathon, which she runs in just 2 weeks.
But here's what is great about Ashley. She doesn't tote a 'tude. She's convinced everyone can do it. That's where I come in. About May she invited me to do this half-marathon in September. "You can totally do it, Celeste."* Oh Ashley, of course you think I can do it, because you think everyone is awesome like you.
She was so convinced I could do it, I thought, "Ya know, maybe I could." That's a sign of a good friend, don't you think?; someone who helps you reach outside yourself.
Besides all that, Ashley's a great listener, adores her husband and daughter, stays positive, helps others, and cooks fantastic food. Here's to Ashley and to classy people everywhere!
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*I guess that's one great thing about moving away from home too. Anyone who has known me for a long period of time would never invite me to do something like run a long distance for fun. And pay for it. They've heard my "I-can't-stand-when-people-claim-to-like-running-because-you-know-they're-just-saying-it-to-look-good" shpeel. But if you move away where no one knows your past or quiet strong opinions, you get more invitations to expand yourself. So here's, also, to living in new places.
