What better time than Thanksgiving week to reflect on all of our blessings? In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme, our Thursdays on the Run topic is Thankful. What are you thankful for?
I’ve said for years that Running is the Gift I Give Myself. Yes it’s a hobby and a sport but over the years, has become so much more to me. Here are some of the reasons why I am so very grateful to be a runner:
Health. The #1 reason I started running in my 30s was because heart disease, Type II diabetes and obesity run rampant through my dad’s side of the family. His mom and all of his sisters were dead before age 60. Dad has had heart problems and Type II diabetes for almost as long as I can remember. I am literally “running away” from that outcome and enjoying a greatly enhanced lifestyle in the process.
Community. Oh my the community. When I started blogging about my journey toward running my first Boston Marathon almost 9 years ago, I had no idea of the friends I’d meet along the way. Truly running friends are the best friends.
Adventure. If you’d have told me 10 years ago about the races and places I would run, I’d have thought you were nuts. This year I added a new state (Utah) to bring the total to approximately 30ish, and two new countries (United Arab Emirates and Germany) to bring the country total to somewhere in the 20s, (I’d need to do a recount but you get my point). Running is hands down, the best way to see the world.
Opportunities. Through this blog and running, I’ve had some crazy fun experiences. Running with celebrities, being invited to race in all sorts of places, rubbing elbows at parties with running icons, speaking engagements and so much more. I’m grateful for all of it.
Confidence. Truly there’s nothing like doing workouts you’re pretty sure you cannot do to build confidence. Running accomplishments helped me realize that absolutely nothing is impossible if you set reasonable goals, put your head down and do the work. Believing you can is more than half the battle. That can-do mindset carries over into other aspects of life. Our bodies are capable of amazing things if we let go of the negativity and mental limits we create in our mind.
What are you thankful for? What “gifts” has running given you? Did you enter my giveaway?
Be sure to join us this Friday for a special Black Friday edition of the Runfession Friday linkup!
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Like you, one of the many things I’m most thankful for are my running friends 😉 (I may have also posted a similar pic of myself and a couple of said friends along the Chicago lakefront…). Good minds think alike, huh! Best wishes to you and your family for a great Thanksgiving!!
I feel so lucky that something I enjoy doing is actually good for me. I think running is the reason I enjoy exercise so much in general. There are so many things about running to be thankful for!
I’m thankful that im able to run. That I have a legs and muscles to get me out the door. I may not be fast- but it’s something I definitely take for granted too often!
I’m so thankful for all the things running has brought into my life! And that I still get to run through old age!
Running has took me on many adventures. If it wasn’t for running I wouldn’t have gone on so many racecations and met so many wonderful people.
I’m so thankful for the running community. It has really connected me with some amazing running, including you!!
I agree with all of these ‘gifts’ that running brings. And while I’ve never run with any celebrities or rubbed elbows with running icons, I’m so very thankful for the health it brings and the friends. Now that confidence thing …well, this marathon training is beginning to break that confidence. I’m really not sure I can do this. But I won’t go down easy! Happy Thanksgiving Marcia and thanks for the link up!
I love all the gifts running has given me! Self-confidence was the first followed by a community. I love the running community and I’m so thankful to be a part of it! Happy Thanksgiving!
Running is an amazing gift- like you said, I never would have believed the experiences and places it has taken me!
My friendships from sports have lasted longer than the sports I played. I love the running community and what it brings me.
I am so incredibly blessed that we are BRFs. And real friends. The blogworld truly was a gift when I needed it most. If only we lived closer though *sigh*. Love ya!
I’m very thankful for the running community too. It wasn’t until I joined blogger when I realized they actually exists. It’s pretty damn awesome.
Happy Holidays!
The Fitness Bro
Obviously great minds think alike. 🙂
I’m envious of all those countries. We did most of our international travel long before I started running, so Canada is about the only country I have (unless you count running on a treadmill in Prague).
I totally agree with you – running is such a wonderful gift! I’m grateful for how running has changed my life. It’s introduced me to some great people and I’ve had so many wonderful experiences. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Yup even when it’s hard, it’s the best gift I’ve ever given myself!!
I never in a million years would have thought there was a whole supportive, incredibly accepting group of female runners and bloggers out there that I would be lucky enough to call my friends. I am truly thankful for all of you!
Ditto! I’m so thankful that I started running and that I can still do it because there are so many wonderful benefits that I never expected!
Yes, running gives so many gifts. My life would be so different right now if I hadn’t chosen to try running to help me with postpartum depression. That one decision has had such a major influence in my life.
Yes running is truly a gift! I will always be so grateful that I started running and for all it has brought into my life!
I agree it is the gift we give ourselves 🙂 A few morning miles can make me feel so much better about all the other things I have to do during the day and i love all the experiences I’ve had because of it 🙂 One of them was meeting you!
Run friends are the best friends. 🙂 There is so much to be thankful for!
Running is absolutely a lifestyle changer. The benefits are so awesome and gratifying. You listed all of them perfectly. Awesome post. Congratulations on your journey so far, and much more ahead! Who thought you could run all the way to new countries!