Thankful Thursday

I've been reflecting on my journey to..and through... the Richmond Half-Marathon last weekend.  I began to write a "Top 10" list of thankfulness, but got stumped, mostly because I am grateful to God, for everything, not just giving me a body that can still move and keeping me here on earth this long. There is NO WAY to put Him in a list.  So thankful to Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega of my life.

Having said that, I am truly thankful for:

8. Running friends - I want to give a big shout-out to everyone who has run with me once or twice, who helped me deal with long runs that didn't work into the training plan, and who cheered me up and encouraged me along the way.  Especially Kristine who walked while I ran the miles in September, and Robert, who signed me up for my first half with TNT.  And Marlesa, Rose and Toly. 

Running buddies, Marlesa and Rose at the Susco 8K 2013

7. Enell - Let's face it.  Big girls like me wouldn't be out there without the "support" of an Enell running bra!  For someone that has trouble finding everyday bras in her size, Enell is a godsend.  I won't run without it.

#noselfie

6. Precision Nutrition (PN) - this past year I've participated in PN's "lean eating for women".  (another blog on that later). I had a lot of information in my head, but it wasn't working for me.  Working with PN's daily lessons and weekly challenges, I've learned so much about what it takes to keep my body and soul running at its best.

5. Reston VA and Fairfax County, VA  I can run because I have a place to run.  For the last half century, people had a vision for Reston that included walking trails, the W&OD trail, sidewalks in my neighborhood, and trails throughout Fairfax County.  All of these trails not only make it possible to run, but they are really pretty places to get outside and reconnect with nature while running.

Lake Thoreau in Reston, one of our favorite trail runs.

4. PR Training Programs -  I showed up for Running 101 in the fall of 2008 unable to run 1/4 mile without stopping.  Somehow I managed to learn to run/walk... and to believe I could call myself a runner.  I am still a back-of-the-pack runner - I am in Wave K, for crying out loud.  But I am out there running a half-marathon, mostly through training with these guys.

3. All the Coaches - I've been through 2 coaches with the Run-to-Coffee ladies - Chip taught me to run, got my form in shape and kept me going.  Joe also gave great insight into my running mechanics and had the magic ability to push me when I needed pushing, and holding me back when I needed to learn control.  Through the years I ran with training groups from Potomac River Running and Team in Training, both are first-class outfits.  Shannon and Meghan and Adam coached this summer and fall.  I remember Caitlyn as my first long-distance coach years ago, who was full of enthusiasm.  But really there are too many to count.

2. Run-to-Coffee Ladies.  This group was named by a former running coach who noticed that for some of us it was more about the coffee afterwards than the run.  But these ladies have run with me, walked with me when I couldn't run, entered races so we could run together, and shared more laughter and tears over coffee than I can name.  Kelly, Linda, and Lisa thank you!  You all are fun to run with.

Lisa, Chris and Linda all bundled up. We missed you Kelly

1. Frank - we could just start and end there.  He is my husband, my partner in life, and my biggest cheerleader.  He (usually) pushes me out of bed on Saturday mornings so I can get to the training group.  He makes me breakfast when I get home.   He doesn't complain when I have more running clothes than "real" clothes.  And he supports any crazy notion I get, like a half-marathon, for example.

I know that I can't do this running thing alone.  I need people around me who are supportive.  I hope to keep running, whatever that looks like.

Who and what are you thankful for today?