Half-marathon training
Week fifteen, day three

I had intended to do the 8 mile Turkey Trot this morning, but the more I calculated the time, the more I realized I would really be pushing it to be ready to leave for the Cowboys game in time. So, I decided to do the 5k instead. Luckily I had paid for the timing chip, which enabled me to line up in the front and I crossed the start line in a minute or two instead of the 45 minutes it took last year. (I did pause to yell up to David Kelton, our illustrious announcer, but he pretended not to hear me.)

I hit mile one in 12 minutes – really too fast for me, but you kind of go with the crowd at that point. I settled in to my normal pace in mile 2 and hit that marker at about 26 minutes. I still almost talked myself into taking the 8 mile route, but then I realized that I might be able to make my goal of finishing a 5k in under 40 minutes. It took a pretty good kick at the end, but by my watch I finished in about 39:15 – 4 minutes faster than last year and 2.5 minutes faster than the the fastest race I’ve ever run! Woo-hoo!

I am thankful today for so many things in my life. I’m thankful that Tony found a new job that he likes. I’m thankful my sister, brother-in-law and the kids weren’t home when her house was burglarized. I’m thankful my friend Becky wasn’t hurt when a truck crashed into her living room last night. I’m thankful I have a take charge personality – I think I’d still be in the porta-potty line if I hadn’t walked up front and started directing people.

I’m thankful I have the ability to run. I’m thankful for my teammates, mentors, captains and coaches who help me push my perceived limits. I’m thankful for the financial, emotional, and mental support from my family and friends who are making sure I can cross that finish line.

I’m thankful I was lucky enough to know Angi. And I’m thankful for every single one of you. You never know when or why your life will change, and I’m thankful for that too.