So Incredibly Thankful

Being a runner has had a pretty significant impact on my life.

There is SO much to be grateful for...and not just this time of season, but year-round.

I've written previous Thankful posts (in 2016, in 2015 and in 2014), and I honestly don't know if I could say it any better. Bear with me, I'm gonna go with (mainly) what's been said before, but tweak some of it to make it more current.

* My family.  I am so absolutely in love with my husband and three amazing kids.  They don't usually run with me (stay tuned, I'm still at work on that detail), but they put up with me and my running.  And, they don't complain too much about the running shoes scattered throughout the house or the occasional icky toenail. On occasion, they do ask me about my running...without my having to prompt them.

Christmas 2016

*My faith.  I'm not gonna get all high and almighty on you, but my faith is my cornerstone. My humbleness, and my strength. It's my everything.

*My friends. I have an abundance of awesome people in my life.  I appreciate all their kind words, messages and hugs. Some of them are just as crazy as me, and have been known to run Ultra's overnight, in the heat (and humidity) of summer...complete with lightning, rain, and Christmas lights. Some of them drive crazy distances to run marathons with me. Others have hopped on airplanes and met me in Las Vegas. They make me smile and feel warm & fuzzy.

*Maxton McArthur. We adopted Max from a nearby animal shelter almost three years ago. I didn't grow up with a dog, and our family had never had one. I totally didn't get the "dogs aren't pets, they are family" thing. Well, I totally get it now. This adorable little guy has wormed his way into my heart, and everyone else who has met him. He makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, too.

My favorite pic of Max and me

*Freedom to run "my way." I don't have be fast. I don't have to run every day. I don't have to run excessive weekly mileage. And I don't have to love every experience in my running shoes. Most importantly, I don't have to impress anyone other than myself. Running has liberated me like nothing else. It has shown me just how strong my endurance really is, and it has kept me humble on many occasions as well. It's my reality check.

*My virtual running buddies.  There are so many wonderful people who have become dear friends, and most of them came to me via this blog and my running page, Running on the Fly. There have been countless messages, well wishes, (virtual) high-5's, and many laughs shared through our computer screens. And, there have been some tears and sniffles, too. I have met some of these fabulous peeps in person, and look forward to meeting many more.

The racing community.  I don't consider myself a racer, but I love the atmosphere on race day.  There's something about an entire bunch of strangers, all running towards the same finish line, that makes me feel at-one with all others on the race course . Nothing is better than the final 100 feet of a race...the finish line fanfare is intoxicating.

*The gift of running.  Having spent most of my life believing I was not an athlete, I am so humbled (and proud) to call myself not just a runner, or a marathoner, but an Ultra Marathoner! It's not my intention to impress others. Instead, I hope to inspire them to violate their own comfort zones. I now have seven marathons under my belt (three of which are ultras!), 37 half marathons, a few 10-mile races, and countless races of other distances. If I can be an "athlete" (with my less-than-athletic body), anyone else can be one, too.

*The gift of recovery. This year, more than ever before, I am especially thankful for the gift of recovery. Things looked very bleak a mere five months ago...a surprise bursitis attack, emergency surgery (from said bursitis rapidly morphing into a staph infection), a week-long hospital stay, four weeks of IV infusions, and a 3-month running sabbatical while the 6-inch suture wound healed. Whew. My rally back went slow and cautiously, and I was rewarded by crossing the finish lines of a 5K, a 5-miler, a 10K, and (most recently) a half marathon. To say I'm grateful would be a major understatement. I had a huge network of cheerleaders (both on a local level and via social media), and they all contributed to my #glasshalffull journey towards recovery.

In the hospital, with my new friends....Guido (the IV pole), Linus (the PICC line), and Voldemort (the suture scar)

So, those are the main things I'm reflecting on this week, and my heart is ever so full. How about you? What are you thankful for? 

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**I'm linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run... We're talking about all things Thankful. Join the party!

**I'm linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.