Sunday, November 18, 2018

Giving Thanks for All Things Running


With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's a great time to reflect on all that it is good in my life. There is so much to be thankful for--both on and off the road.

Since this is a running blog, I'm going to share a few running things that I'm thankful for!



I'm thankful for...FRIENDS. Runners, we get each other. My running friends are some of the best people around. I've had a fun year of running with a little help from my friends. There was a giant meet up this summer around the Rock'N'Roll Chicago Half Marathon. Social media keeps us all connected. What a wonderful tribe!

back: Kim, Linda, me, Deborah, Sara, Michelle, Kim
front: Marcia, Holly, Susie
I'm thankful for...TRAILS. Even though I live in the suburbs of Chicago, the local park districts and forest preserves have set aside green space for fitness. These places are an oasis in a loud, congested world and I love to bike and run there. While accessing most of them require travel by car, I have a few lovely spots just outside my front door.

The bike path near my house on a beautiful late spring morning.
I'm thankful for...MY HUSBAND. Not a runner, he has had a love/hate relationship with my running over the years. Yet he GETS IT and doesn't give me any trouble about taking time to go for a run or a weekend away for a race. As long as I don't pressure him to accompany me, it's all good.

My hubs and me, celebrating our anniversary at Revolution Brewery.
I'm thankful for...RACE DIRECTORS. Planning races cannot be an easy job and I've had some really amazing race experiences over the past year.

Erika isn't the official race director but man, she did it all to make sure this race was a success!
I'm thankful for....VOLUNTEERS. I can't imagine running a race without them. Well, I did run a race this year, ZOOMA Great Lakes, where there were very few volunteers. It had to be challenging for the race director but they pulled that one off and the runners were never the wiser.

These guys braved the rain to cheer on the runners. So grateful.
So grateful to all the volunteers handing out water and nuun. Medals. You name it.
I'm thankful for...MY BLOG READERS. So many times this year, I've considered giving up the blog. Every time that happens, some comments or reaches out to me to tell me that they liked something I wrote or that my journey inspires them. You guys inspire me. The fact that you all keep reading what I write makes me feel so good. What a wonderful community we have here. Plus, I've made so many good friends from this little space!

One of the many amazing wonderful people I've met through my blog.
I'm thankful for...SAMMY JO and ELITE ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT. Sammy Jo is my strength coach and EAD is the CrossFit box where I train. No, I'm not a Crossfitter. I'm a runner who needs and wants to get stronger. They help me achieve that goal and stay relatively injury free. This is an awesome community and I just love working out here.

Boot camp is fun!
I'm thankful for...RUNNING. It was almost 2 years ago that I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Determined to keep running, I have but it hasn't been without difficulty. I've watched my pace times drop and I've struggled with fatigue. I embraced the run/walk intervals and have reclaimed long distance running again. Contrary to what you might think, I believe that running has actually been beneficial to my mobility. Plus it is so good for me, mentally!

I've learned to appreciate finish lines over finish times!
What are you thankful for this year? Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I'm linking up with Tuesdays on the Run: Marcia, Erika, and Patti. Thankful for them too!


30 comments :

  1. I absolutely believe running is still good for you, although I can't imagine how hard it is mentally to deal with the issues of RA & running. And I'm glad you're still blogging.

    It hasn't been the easiest year, but there have also been many good times and I am also so very grateful to simply have a home. So many people don't due to environmental disasters. And I can't even imagine how that would be this time of year.

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    1. It has been a tough year in the world outside running--I'm grateful for running to give me a place to process it all.

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  2. Don't give up the blog!!! You would be missed terribly!

    Running does give us a lot to be thankful for. I'm so thankful for my running friends too - both in person and online. Runners give off such positive energy. They are fun to be around. You can always count on your running friends to pick you up when you are down. Thanks for a great post!

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    1. Aww, thanks! As long as I still have something to say and people read it, I'll keep writing!

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  3. Yes, race directors. I have a good friend that is one and there is so much that goes into planning races that we don't see. It is always nice when races go well. They put so much work into it!

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    1. Knowing Erika, I got more of a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. It takes a lot of work to make a race look effortless!

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  4. I thankful I found your blog ... and you! :-) I'm so glad Sammy Jo turned out to be a good coach for you. I remember your worry when your previous awesome coach moved. I'm grateful for the friends and adventures running brings.

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    1. It's interesting how things happen! Sammy Jo has turned out to be the perfect coach for where I'm at in my life. I'm very thankful for her!

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  5. I'm thankful you found my blog and started blogging yourself so we could have this crazy friendship! Runners are a unique breed for sure and we need each other. I am thankful for the incredible adventures running has enriched my life with.

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    1. I'm so thankful we have become friends! Where would I be without you?

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  6. Agreed. I'm thankful for everything you highlighted as well. Our community is like no other <3

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  7. Oh, don't you dare give up the blog!! lol!! So many people would be disappointed. You write so well and are so good at tackling a variety of topics. One of my favorites!

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    1. You are just too kind! As long as people read what I write, I'll stick around...

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  8. Totally agree with about running friends! You're right - we just get eachother. I was amazed at how effortless the blogger meet up was this summer. Many of us had never met in person but the conversation just flowed so easily and I could have talked to everyone all day. I'm SO thankful to running for bringing so many amazing people into my life!

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    1. I'm always amazed at how easy it is with our 'virtual' friends. I feel that most of us present ourselves on our blogs as we really are IRL. There are few surprises. It's been such a wonderful journey for me and I probably would have given up on running long this past year if it weren't for all of you! <3

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  9. Thankful, Greatful and Blessed for all things running for sure. My running friends have been some of the greatest people in my life. There is a bond that I don't believe can be understood by non endurance athletes. Great post, happy blogging

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    1. It really is a special bond and I'm excited to add you to the run blogger posse!

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  10. Running is definitely essential to emotional well being! I feel so very blessed to have so many running friends near and far in my life. Meeting you all in person was the highlight of my summer. I feel like we have this really cool secret club that only a few of us are special enough to belong to. Happy Thanksgiving friend!

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    1. Ha! I love being part of this cool secret club! You are the best.

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  11. Yes yes yes on race directors. I feel like the volunteers are shorted on love, but RDs even more so. Such big loads.
    Thankful to this community -- and you forencouraging me to join the Wrap

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    1. I'm glad you've joined us! I enjoy reading about your NYC running adventures!

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  12. I too believe running is good for your mobility.
    Keep blogging, I enjoy reading your posts. I am grateful for finding this tribe of like-minded women. I hope someday I get to meet some of you in person. Southern California is a great place for a runcation...just saying. :-)

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    1. I hope to meet you someday too! I have a friend in SoCal and I need to pay her a visit--and all my other SoCal friends!

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  13. I'm thankful for this blog, Wendy! Especially now that the only running I do is when I'm rushing to catch my train. My previous and current RA docs have both advised against running, telling me it's going to make my condition worse. Seeing you in action, I know they're wrong. Thanks for not giving up! :)

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    1. You know I don't agree with your docs--I don't think running is going to make it worse. It's a progressive illness and is going to progress whether we run or not. I do believe my running days are numbered, but I"m going to keep on going as long as I can! Thanks for sticking with me! We're in this together.

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  14. I'm very thankful for this blog - I have found such a community of lovely running bloggers and I have had such support and validation, and enjoyed putting together my own posts and photos, which have also brought joy to my friends. So thank you for that and keep on running and blogging, please!

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    1. I'm so happy that you and I found each other and that you've joined our tribe. I love your posts and perspective! You make me want to travel across the pond!

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    2. If you ever want to visit the English Midlands, you'd be oh, so welcome here!

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  15. I’m so glad you have, as of now, kept the blog! I love reading it! As a reader, I’m thankful for your honest posts!

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