A post of thanks! pt 1!

It is thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Today, 10/10/10 I ran and finished my first half marathon. No records but I did finish in under 2 1/2 hours and I finished with enough left to enjoy the rest of the day and to already start searching for my first full marathon, ideally next summer, to wrap up the 45th year! I have down played this event, lots of people run and finish these events and way more challenging events, as was evident as I watched footage from Kona yesterday. Yet this was VERY special for me; it was a way to celebrate my 100 lb weight loss and my return to living like an athlete. More importantly it was a commitment I finished. I took a chance and took on the challenge of running without knowing I would succeed. We often choose goals we know deep done we can achieve but putting yourself out there is something I haven't done much of.  As I got up this morning the espresso maker had a card signed by my wife kids and even my mom who is visiting. Mary wrote a reminder of a favorite Theodore Roosevelt quote of mine that really sums up what this run meant to me. 

 

“ The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

 

I can't thank my family enough for their support. Tomorrow more thanks, a race recap and what next????