A Runner's Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving is a good time to remember all the things we have to be thankful for, which surely is why it is (in addition to Christmas) my favorite holiday.  It should be a Christian holiday - a true "Holy Day" - but alas it is only a relatively late American invention, although most other countries have harvest festivals (and winter solstice festivals) that are remarkably similar.  It is only natural to enjoy feasting on the fruits of our labors even if we are no longer especially an agricultural society.  At our house, we are gardeners, so if possible we try to include on the table some form of green beans or potatoes or some other vegetables preserved from our summer garden.

There is so much to be thankful for:  family and friends, the bonds of love,  a beautiful wife and daughter.  And as a runner, I am thankful for so much more.  In my case, the difficult completion of my 20th marathon at the age of 65, and my gradual recovery over the past two weeks, my longest run now just over 5 miles.  (The rule of thumb is not to run anything hard for 26 days after the race.)  So I am in no hurry to climb back up that mountain again; now is the time for scaling back on distance and speed, going to the gym, working on strength and flexibility, and simply enjoy running in Highlands this time of year down a Main Street filled with holiday decorations, and under these beautiful winter skies here in the mountains. 

The gifts of life, and good health, and fitness:  blessings we don't deserve.  And this special gift of running:  new friends made on the road, new roads to run on, new adventures, and a chance every day to rise up singing songs of thanksgiving.  Amen.