The Ironman: Thankful

     How was your Thanksgiving holiday? Did you spend it with family or friends? Did you take a long trip? Or did you spend some quiet time at home and enjoy not having to go to work, unless you work at one of the places that stay open on holidays. Mine was a combination of things. I enjoyed having a couple days off for family time, and getting some projects done too.
       
     But first it started with a run like almost all of my Thanksgiving mornings do. For several years it would begin with a 15 mile run with my friend Bryan but he moved away a few years ago. I’m not sure why it was 15 miles, other than maybe because we could. Last year I was winding down for a Thanksgiving weekend marathon so the dogs and I only went 5 miles that morning and then I got on a plane for Seattle.
       
      Had I not been on a training plan this year that specifically called for 8 miles at a certain pace I’m not sure what I would have done. At 4 a.m. I took the dogs for a walk because I was awake already and figured I might as well get the day started. Having already looked at the weather radar I knew that rain was coming and just about ready to fall. Shortly after we started down the street the first drops came and by the time we got done the rain was increasing.

      So as I stood inside a nice warm house at 5:00 watching the rain fall while it was 34 degrees outside, thinking about the run I was supposed to do, I was a little torn. On one hand I was being encouraged by the dog standing by my side to get my rain gear on and take her running, while a different voice said I should just rearrange my training schedule and ride bike indoors and do this run on the weekend when it wouldn’t be raining.

      Then I recalled the conversation I had just had the day before with my friend Billy. He had reminded me that I have said that training in poor weather is rarely as bad as you think it will be, once you get out and do it. And it’s true; almost all days are fine with the appropriate clothing choices. So the dog and I headed out and I dropped her off at home after 2 miles and then got the remaining 6 miles done as well, a few seconds per mile faster than my goal pace. It wasn’t really that bad at all.

       Later when some of my family started showing up for Thanksgiving festivities, my younger brother, Mark, asked if I had run that morning. He frequently runs as well, although he doesn’t go to races. So I asked him if he had run too. But he said he hadn’t because his dogs didn’t seem interested in going out in the rain, so he took it as a sign to stay inside too.

       When the holidays roll around I suppose it’s natural to think about the family members who are no longer with us. The stories they used to tell, the place at the table they used to sit, or the things that made them special to us seem even more meaningful. Some of the times I think about the relatives I rarely see any more. When we were growing up cousins were a big part of our lives. Now that our grandparents are no longer with us, it is clear that is who brought us all together.

       As another Thanksgiving passes by, I’m reminded that there is much to be thankful for. And if there are people in your life that are extra special to you be sure to let them know how much they mean to you. Live Well Today. Everyday!