How is it that it is already December?  Going back to work after a few days off for Thanksgiving Break was exhausting.  My kids were still in vacation zone and let me just say that no on was in the mood to work.  

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Holiday gifts for runners.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

A few bloggers have already written about this topic so I will include the links below.  
⇒ Wendy at Taking the Long Way Home
⇒ Marcia at Marcia’s Healthy Slice
⇒ Lisa at Mile by Mile
⇒ Sandra at Organic Runner Mom
⇒ Debbie at Coach Debbie Run

A few things that I like are:
⇒ Balega Socks – I love SmartWool but now am loving Balega socks.  My favorite are the ultralight/ultraglide socks.   They’re thin but yet cushioned enough to provide enough support.

⇒ Road ID – I never take mine off.  Yes, I even shower with it.  🙂  Mine has two of my sisters’ contact information in case of an emergency.  

⇒ Gift cards – I get my running shoes from Running Warehouse or Zappos.  I love that they offer FREE shipping.  If for some reason you change your mind, you can also send them back for free.  I run in Brooks shoes and have the Launch, Ghost, and Levitate.

⇒ Garmin watch – So many great ones out there now.  I love mine.  I have a 225 and have had it for 4 years.  Mine is simple and I use it to track my shoes mileage, pace, distance, and time.

⇒ Black Diamond Storm Headlamp – I run in the morning and it is very dark outside.  My headlamp is perfect for those mornings.  

⇒ Oiselle Lightning Layer – This is one of my favorite Oiselle items.  I can wear it over another top or a sports bra.  With the vest and the headlamp, for sure you will be seen!

⇒ Koala Clip – It is a pouch that holds your phone, keys, ID, etc.  It has a magnetic clip that you clip inside your sports bra.  The Koala Clip does not chafe nor does it bounce.  

⇒ BibBoards – They’re bib fasteners.  The nice thing about these is that you don’t need safety pins hence no holes in your race shirt.  There are so many different and fun designs to pick from.  

Do you own any of the items I listed above?  It not, which one would you like to try?

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!  Also, thanks to everyone that entered my birthday giveaway.  The winner is: Marcia Kadens.  

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Tell us why you’re thankful for running?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Thanksgiving is around the corner.  I am not one to “just” be thankful on that day.  I like to be thankful every single day for everything that I have.  After my mom’s stroke in March, I am even more thankful for so many things.  

√ I am thankful that it was a mild stroke.  She was in 3 different places (hospital and rehab) and came home on May 5th.

√ I am thankful that she is comes home with me on the weekends (she lives with my younger sister) and we get to watch TV and spend time together.  

√ I am thankful for the stories she tells me of when she lived in Mexico.  Life wasn’t easy but she did the best she could.  My dad was living in the US and my mom was in Mexico.  There were times in which she was here working while the kids were in Mexico being taken care of by family members or a neighbor.

√ I am thankful for the sacrifices she and my dad made to give us a better life.  We emigrated to Chicago in 1978.  I was 5 years old and I still remember that day.  It was July 4th and I remember seeing the Sears Tower.

√ I am thankful she didn’t give up after my dad died.  At 47 years old she became a widow with 7 kids.  I am 47 years old.  I put myself in her shoes and I haven’t done 1/4 of the stuff she had already done when she was 47.

I know I went a little off topic so now let me talk about why I am thankful for running.  🙂  Running is my ME time.  Running helps me cope with the challenges life brings me.  Things are so much better with my mother, but still it is tough being an adult.  Haha, I think we can all relate to that.  Work stresses me out and I am constantly looking for ways to help my students.  While I run I am in my zone, staring ahead while listening to music.  Sometimes I think about the different things that need to be done once I get to work.

And last but not least, I am thankful for this blog, this linkup and ALL OF YOU.  I love the support and encouragement I get from my virtual friends.  Some of you I’ve met and if I haven’t, I hope I get to meet you soon.  With each post I get inspired and I smile.  We never judge.  It makes me happy to read and see how we lift and encourage one another whether it is from dealing with an injury or from being nervous with running a marathon or another race.   I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!