A Time To Give Thanks...

As I was sitting at my desk today, a song came on the radio that I haven't heard in ages.  When I was 15 I had a boyfriend and this was 'our' song - "Heroes" by David Bowie.

I was transported back to a time when my hair was long, all of my friends smoked (various substances), junk food was a way of life... we had house parties and field parties and went to rock concerts and later on - bars... we loitered in places because we had nowhere to go and nothing much to do - unless it was rollerskating... Swimming was unheard of, my 10-speed didn't get much use and running was something I did to get out of the way of the other girls when we played field hockey in gym class...

Thirty years has passed since that time.  Where did all that time go?  What happened to that young teenage girl (who thought she was grown up) who dreamed of doing something great but had no idea what that would be?  All those times people would ask 'what do you want to do when you graduate?'  'What do you see yourself doing for the next 5-10 years?' - Hell - I had no clue what I saw myself doing back then... becoming a secretary, finding a husband and I supposed having children and living in a little house...?  Why? - what was everyone else doing??   

Little did I know then that someday I would be sitting here, writing this blog about all of the fun and exciting things that make up my life today.  That young girl had no clue of all of the wondrous adventures that were to come.

I watched all of my friends get married and have children and live in houses while I couldn't figure out what was 'wrong' with me because I had none of those things.  I didn't seem to fit the mould that I thought I should.   So instead, I found the gym and immersed myself in bodybuilding and aerobics for a couple of decades and then some...

I watched my friends - some of them stayed married although most did not - as the years went by and spouses changed, babies were born and grew into childhood and now - adulthood...

I finally found my soulmate - at age 40.  Better late than never, eh?  ;)

Here I sit, 45 years old, listening to 'oldies' on the radio - feeling a little nostalgic for my youth but feeling more than anything, an immense sense of gratitude for all of the people and things that I have/have had in my life that made and continue to make it so rich and wonderful!  I'm so glad that I never settled for the limited dreams of my 15 year old self...

I have a life that is filled with good people, actually great people - who continue to encourage me and one another to try new things and experience more out of life.  Age is not a limiter!

I am so grateful for Eric, who is always my cheerleader. He only smiles when I take on some new task with my typical 'How hard could it be?' line...

I am so grateful to my friends and coach and training partners who continue to encourage me even on days when I feel middle-aged and slow and rather stupid for wanting to take on more...

Thank you.  All of you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Sniff... It's Over... !

Yes, summer is officially over as of 5:04am today.  Oh well.  It's a bit too chilly to swim in the lake right now anyway... brrrr....

Onward we must go - to the season that I love - FALL!  Ah, yes, the cooler, crisp air, the swirling leaves on the ground and in the air... the smell of the trails... I LOVE IT!

I admit that last week I was in a bit of a funk, thinking about the summer that was - without any racing or running... but this week, I have a whole new, fresh outlook.

I RAN.  Yep!  First time in 5 months! 

Was it a long run? - Nope.  6 whole minutes on a treadmill

Was it fast? - Hell no - it was set at 3.8-4.5 mph

Was it a long, open stride?  LOL!  It was more like a tiny dog, moving it's legs in a very VERY fast trot with teensy steps!

Did it feel good? - OMG - you have NO idea how good it felt!!

It's amazing how quickly we forget what how much we have to be grateful for, especially when overachieving, OCD, A-personality types like (most athletes) us, suffer an injury that sidelines us from the activities that we love.

I feel renewed!  I RAN!  I was beaming as I went upstairs, filled out my Training Peaks log for my coach and then proceeded to send emails to several people.  I RAN!  I RAN!!  WOO HOO!!!!!!  I'M A SUPERSTAR!  ... you get the point...

Anyway, this is not something I can yet repeat on a daily or even a bi-weekly basis at this point in rehab - but for now - I'll take it!

It's a beautiful day - get out there!  :)