Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving, and I cannot believe we are already at the end of November! Where in the world has this month gone? I certainly intended to have another post or two this month, but somehow it just didn't happen. I've been thinking about this post for quite awhile though. As I am halfway through my 50x50, I thought this would be a good time to reflect back on all the race experiences I've had on this journey to date and list them superlatively. Here's the list: 

• Fastest finish: Revel Big Cottonwood Half Marathon, Utah (1:43:34)
• Slowest finish: Fueled by Fine Wine Half Marathon: Dundee, Oregon (2:08:27)
• Coldest temperature: Wolf Hollow Half Marathon, New Hampshire
• Warmest temperature: Naples Daily News Half Marathon, Florida
• Best starting line feature: Boston's Run to Remember, Massachusetts (fly-over by police helicopters)
• Most picturesque: Sedona Half Marathon, Arizona
• Closest Brush with Celebrity: Williams Route 66 Half Marathon, Oklahoma (met running legend Bart Yasso)
• Worst porta-potty lines: Philadelphia Rock N'Roll Half, Pennsylvania
• Best pre-race organized dinner: Covered Bridges Half Marathon, Vermont
• Most fun race-organized after party: 13.1 NYC Half, Queens, NY (dancing with disco ball masked dancers and drag queens)
• Biggest hills: Fueled by Fine Wine Half Marathon, Oregon
• Most interesting course: Rehoboth Half Marathon, Delaware
• Least interesting course: Olympia Lakefair Half Marathon, Washington
• Most difficult to find starting line: Chi-Town Half, Chicago
• Longest bridge in a race: TCS Annapolis Running Classic Half, Maryland
• Perfect weather day: Surftown Half Marathon, Westerly, RI
• Best finisher's medal: Garmin Land of Oz Half Marathon, Kansas
• Smallest number of participants: Teton Dam Half Marathon, Idaho
• Largest number of participants: Philadelphia Rock N'Roll Half, Pennsylvania
• Best hotel sleep before a race: Mercedes-Benz Half Marathon, Alabama
• Best goodie bag: Maine Half Marathon, Portland, ME
• Best finish line swag: Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon, Virginia
• Best finish line amenities: Leading Ladies Half Marathon, South Dakota
• Best finish line food: Covered Bridges Half Marathon, Vermont
• Nicest people: Bruckelaufe, the Bridge Race, Michigan
• Craziest weather: Fueled by Fine Wine, Oregon
• Best pre-race expo: Williams Route 66 Half Marathon, Oklahoma
• Best finish in my age group: Bruckelaufe, the Bridge Race, Michigan
• Nicest surprise at a race: Garmin Land of Oz Half Marathon, Kansas
• Best downhill finish: ING Hartford Half Marathon, Connecticut

I am thankful for all of these races and incredible experiences that came with them. I am thankful for my supportive family and friends. I am thankful for a strong body and for few injuries. I am thankful for the ability to run and fill my lungs with delicious fresh air. I am thankful to be on this journey and so see where it will take me. Thanksgiving is a nice time to pause and reflect on the special things in life that bring joy and happiness and to share them with those you love. 

P.S. One more thing to note...I have reserved one of the display cases in the Enfield Public Library for the month of January to display my first 25 race medals. If you are local or in the area, stop in and see them when they are there.