Thankful Things Thursday

Every week, I look forward to reading Ali’s Thankful Things Thursday post, not only because it usually involves pictures of puppies and fro-yo, but because at the end of each post, she asks her readers to list the things that they are thankful for that week. I always comment, and every week I mindfully take a minute to think about my honest, not superficial answer. I always finish that post with a smile on my face, so I thought I’d recreate that feeling here, too!

So, as Ali says, let’s play Thankful Things Thursday!

I’m thankful that my best friends are visiting this weekend.

Nicole and Milla are coming into town to watch me run the Rock N Roll USA Half Marathon and (more importantly) just to hang out and be together. I haven’t seen them since Nicole’s wedding in October, and we are way overdue for a weekend full of laughter, wine, and Nutella (duh). They don’t know this yet, but they’re also the carrot I’m going to be chasing during this race. The quicker I finish, the quicker we get to hang out! Extra speedy finish time and best friends? Win-win!

I’m thankful that Mother Nature seems to have forgotten that it’s still winter and has just jumped right ahead to spring/summer.

I completed 3/4 of my training runs outside this week (in shorts and a tank top no less). I went for leisurely walks after dinner, wearing shorts and flip flops. I wore my favorite sundress to school. The weather has made me straight-up giddy, and I love it. Now if it could just NOT RAIN for the race on Saturday, I will be thankful for that a thousand times over.

I’m thankful that I’ve trained for this race with no injuries or other serious issues.

Sure, I had blisters. Really awful, disgusting, painful blisters. But those only lasted a few weeks, and they actually healed rather nicely! And, thanks to properly fitting running shoes, I haven’t had any hip or knee pain like I had while training for the Baltimore Half. I may not have lost any weight while training for this race (unsurprising), but I have re-gained the same respect I felt for my body during that last training plan. How can you not be thankful for a body that lets you run, unhindered, for 13.1 miles? It’s so awesome.

I’m thankful that tonight was my last training run.

I haven’t felt nearly as burned out as I did while training for Baltimore, but I’m definitely antsy to switch up my workouts. I have a bunch of ideas up my sleeve: kickboxing, The New Rules of Lifting for Women, the Live Fit program—but, to be honest, I’m just excited to mix it up and start running again because I feel like it and not because I have to.

I’m thankful for Breyer’s Oreo Birthday Blast ice cream.

source

I don’t need to explain this one, do I? No? Good.

I’m thankful that Spring Break is in two weeks.

Have you heard that looking forward to a vacation is almost as good for your health as actually going on your vacation? I totally believe it. Nick and I are going to Savannah and Charleston for a week, and I swear that just the thought of going away is already just as satisfying as being there. Ok, that’s a lie. But the anticipation is fantastic!

I’m thankful that I chose to become a teacher.

Last weekend, I went to see my former students perform in their high school play. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your students so immersed in what they love (and doing it well!) Except maybe surprising them with your arrival, and having them all come running at you, screaming at the top of their lungs. Best job ever. Hands down.

So, in true Ali fashion, I’ll throw this back to you: what are you thankful for today?