The time of year where people give thanks.  Seemingly more so in a public forum on the social media platform of their choice.  Hopefully my cynicism is forgiven as I do really think it is great that people are being thankful for the positive things in their lives.  I suppose that it is something I approach more personally than others.  It just seems that a person might create some extra “icing” on their thanks if they know people are going to be reading and responding. . .

It seems that we should give thanks every damn morning that we get to wake up and see what this world is going to present us with on this day.  My morning ritual and my post-run ritual involves a little silent thank you.  Like everyone else I am product of my experiences and the relationships that I have had over the years.  I am thankful to each and everyone of those people and try to carry the experiences with me as I continue through my life.

Students I have taught, routes I have run, teachers whose classroom doors I went through, friends I have lost and friends I have gained, ex-girlfriends, races with success and many more that were character building, family members that have gone on, athletes I have coached, competitors I have fought against, educators I have taught with, training partners of my past and those I am lucky enough to still be putting the miles in. Each of them has developed a part of me.  It is that last group that I pay particular attention to tonight.  We have sweat and froze and laughed and cried and celebrated and lamented and learned.  I continue to be molded as a man through my interactions with these folks and others who may have been left of this page.  For them I am forever grateful and this is one small way to acknowledge them.