Dear Body,

Before I have to finalize holiday preparations, I've been purusing all the blogs I follow. I came across a link up on Jill Conyer's blog: the Fit Dish. She suggested writing a thank you letter to your body, putting a positive spin on what is usually a difficult subject for most women. What a great topic for a blog post on this holiday Eve! After all the stress of preparing for the holidays and taking care of all those sick kiddos the past couple of weeks, it seemed like a great idea to think about me, my year, and all that I've accomplished! I rarely have down time. Today, I spent a few hours redesigning the blog to reflect what I want to accomplish on social media. As an "older" runner (I prefer the term "seasoned"), I want to show other women that getting older doesn't mean slowing down. I've struggled a little bit with being in my 50s--not physically, but mentally. This is the year I've finally accepted my age--even embraced it! And felt really good about my body. Because this has been the fittest year of my life. So here we go!

Dear Body,

I haven't always been happy with you. When I was a teenager and in my 20s, I hated my body. Especially my stomach. I always wanted flat abs. And this was in the days before "fitspiration!"  I felt like I was fat. Even though I know I wasn't. I've never been fat. But I just didn't like the way I looked. Once I started running, I started feeling better about myself. You started to show me what I could do. 

But when I tried to get pregnant, you let me down.  I always wanted to be a mom, and you just wouldn't cooperate. And when I did finally get pregnant, the first time, well, that pregnancy wasn't meant to be. I was angry at you. It took me a long time to feel good about you again. I ran through that anger and eventually, I forgave you enough to pursue a pregnancy again. 

I did get pregnant, but you wouldn't completely let me enjoy it. Bleeding throughout the first trimester, I was on edge the whole time. Of course, I couldn't run, because I was so afraid I'd miscarry again. Thankfully, I gave birth--not once, but twice--to 2 beautiful baby boys. But even my deliveries weren't easy. Yep, body, you really let me down in that department. But you did let me grow 2 babies, and for that, I am grateful.

The one area that you've been pretty reliable is with running. You blessed me with long, strong legs that have carried me fast and far. I finally got up the courage to run that first marathon 3 years ago--but you pooped out on me. I was so disappointed with you, even after all that training I did. And then there were injuries. A year of recovery. Plantar fasciitis. Stress fracture. 

I really felt like you let me down. I thought maybe it was time to give up running. But instead of quitting on you, I got some help. And through weight training learned to treat you better. Why didn't I listen to you all those years before? I gave you what you wanted, and you responded! So much so, that I got up the courage to tackle that marathon again. You responded to all that hard work and you liked the balance that Becky put in my training plan. 

Thank you body, for rewarding me with the best running year of my life. For that amazing Chicago marathon--I don't know if you'll let me top it! I look back on my anger and disappointment in you, and realized that you were trying to tell me something. This was the year that I listened. And you gave me what I wanted. You showed me that I'm strong. You showed me that I can be as fit and fast at 52 as I was at 32.  But now I'm so much smarter. You taught me that too. And for that, I can finally feel grateful. 

What would you say to your body? Are you happy with your body? How do you see yourself?