Happy Thanksgiving!

I like Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for that sometimes I'm overwhelmed when I think about it. As a vegetarian I don't like the fact that this holiday has become all about the turkey, but I am trying not to focus on that much.

I received several invitations to dinner today. I am thankful to have so many friends and customers who were concerned that I would be alone today. That means a lot to me! I was also invited to my in-laws, but that would require closing the shop. While that sounds like a great idea, and it would have been fun, with all the upcoming closings, I figure it wouldn't be the smartest business move to make.

So I will be spending the holiday at my friend Angela's house. She has also invited Sock Amy and her husband as well as Cherryl and Karl. They were a little hesitant, but I think I talked her into going this morning.

I ran this morning for the first time in a while. My legs were resistant at first, but seemed to get into the groove. I tried to concentrate on all the things Coach Mark and Coach John told me. I focused a lot on increasing my cadence. My stride was not very long today, but my pace seemed relatively steady. I could feel when my cadence had increased, even if I didn't have any numbers to back that feeling up.

I ran through the Zachary neighborhood and then followed part of my cycling route from the other day. I continued on Bellview across Blue Angel and then went south on East Fence Drive. Then I headed east on Saufley, went north on Blue Angel and the turned on Green Acres. I joined up with my original neighborhood loop at that point. All together it was 5 miles. I had considered doing 6, but I didn't want to push it. I wanted to run partly because it was nice out, partly because I haven't in a while, but mostly because of the food this afternoon. I know Angela will have a great spread. The clouds have rolled in, so now would be a better time to run. The temps are still in the mid-70s, but now there's not as much sun and more breeze. Such is life. I just hope the rain will hold off until I get back from dinner. My splits today were 10:24, 10:26, 10:31, 10:39, and 10:48. I think that is a good training pace. I'd like to maintain 10:30 or so.

I'm thankful for a lot of things today. My husband, who is awesome, is at the top of the list. He is so supportive and encouraging. He never tells me I can't, even when I don't think I can. He lets me be me and encourages me to be the best person I can be. He's incredible. I'm thankful for my family, even with all of its drama. There's just nothing quite like family and by family I mean both sides - my family and my in-laws. I'm thankful for my friends, both near and far. They care about me, encourage me, challenge me, and support me. And they make sure I'm not spending the holidays alone. I'm thankful for the pets. Rava and Tawny are awesome dogs. They are so well behaved and they are great company. They were happy for the Jumbone earlier today. Marco and Abby are great cats (especially since we have fixed the litterbox issue - 50 days and counting!). They are thankful for the sparkly ball and the fake mouse they got this morning. I'm thankful for my health and being able to run the distances I have been. I'm thankful for the job that Bill has, not only because it allows us to live comfortably and lets me experiment with entrepreneurship, but because it challenges and stimulates him. He may not always love his job, but he is challenged and he does develop new skills. I'm thankful for the military members who are deployed this holiday season for putting the safety and liberty of this country and its citizens selflessly ahead of themselves and their families. Without their sacrifices this world would be a very different place.

I could probably go on for a while, as my list is quite long, but I will spare you. I have a lot to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you!