Giving Thanks

This year, I can sum up most of what I am thankful for in one statement: I am thankful for the opportunity to be a triathlete.

Allow me to elaborate:

- In my “free-time,” I am able to spend entire days on my bike, followed by a short run, followed by sitting on the couch while icing sore parts. This is called a brick. My Sunday’s over this past summer were spent “brickin’ it up old-school.”

- My “expendable income” can be used on bikes, bike accessories, technical apparel, extra speedos, sexually explicit running socks, P.T. appointments, lucky tighty-whities, etc.

(Note: “quotes” used above because who really has “free time” and “expendable income.”)

- I’m now enjoying 5Ks when, just 9 months ago, I couldn’t run 2 miles without horrible knee pain. In September, I showed that left knee "who’s the boss" as I finished my first Ironman.

- I’m able to do all of this with the help and support of loved ones.

If I’m able to live life like this, with all my free-time and “extra” income, I really can’t complain about anything. I have much to be thankful for. So this year, I can happily state the following, and it carries SO much more weight than what it would seem:

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a triathlete.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope we all know how blessed we all are. And watch for my 5K report shortly after Thanksgiving.