Thankful for health...Thanksgiving Run

Run to Feed the Hungry 5k
November 24, 2011

Ok...so this Thanksgiving my sister-in-law and I decided to run another race together.  I had signed up for this race shortly after the Wish-Walk-Run.  Maybe it was because I did not enjoy my last race that I was actually kind of dreading the run.  It could have been that I was dreading the possibility of freezing to death.  Nevertheless, I got up on Thanksgiving morning and strapped on my shoes and gathered my other running gear.  My family was still sleeping when I left the house.

I got the call on the way there that both of my sisters-in-law were going to be there.  I was finally starting to get excited, but was still more apprehensive then usual.  I got there and got in line to get my number and various other goodies that the race had to offer.  (I am going to say that of my races this one had one of the best goody bags full of snacks...yeah!).  I finally make it to the starting line and located Team Jackson. It was crazy.  There were tons of people there.  I think it ended up being well over 2,000 including some celebrities Tom the Turkey and the big man in red....Mr. S. Claus himself.

It was nice to hear the National Anthem and a prayer offered before the race began.

I decided that I really wanted to just enjoy myself.  Maybe I was just putting too much pressure on myself and I just needed to enjoy the journey.  So that is what I did. Team Jackson kept pace together almost the whole race.  It was a great course that took us around the Snake River Green Belt.  The weather was actually great for running.  The pace was comfortable and we actually got to joke and laugh as we ran.  Only in the last bit did we break away to cross the finish line.

I learned a great lesson from this race as I have from the others.  Sometimes it is not about how fast you go, but just enjoying the  run.  I am thankful for the health I enjoy.  I am thankful that I continue to get healthier.  Lastly, I am thankful for the people that join me on my journey and those who continue to cheer me on.

Thanks Courtney and Heather!!!  Love you :)