26.2 Things I am Thankful For...

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! It has been a week since I last wrote, but I'll try to do it more regularly over the next month. (I'm aiming at posting twice a week).

Well, I have officially crossed 3,600 mile mark for the year (1,213 running and 2,436 walking). I have also done over 7,000 miles in the last 23 months. In honor of Thanksgiving I am going to provide a list of 26.2 things I am thankful for.

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26.2 Things I am Thankful For:

1. The support that I have received as I embark on this crazy challenge to run 7 marathons, on 7 continents, in 7 days
2. My beautiful wife and our first 18 months together (including our 1st date and elopement)
3. My parents for their full support of all my crazy ideas
4. My great uncle for inspiring me to start running again and introducing me to the thought of the Antarctica Ice Marathon (which I ran in 2012)
5. My SF friends (aka family) that have put up with me over the last 6+ years
6. My friends around the world who encourage me from afar
7. 7 days in a week, 7 continents - coincidence, I think not!
8. My health and lack of serious injury in the last two years
   
9. The inspiration that my friends and family who have battled cancer provide me to continue on (even when I don't want to)
10. The V Foundation for supporting cancer research - "Don't give up...Don't ever give up!"
11. My running partners who make some of the tough days easier
12. The Embarcadero and Crissy Field for providing a somewhat flat place to run in SF with great views
13. All the experiences I have had in traveling around the World and US
14. My  4 day work weeks, which have allowed me to do nearly 700 miles on Fridays this year
15. The sunny fall days in San Francisco, which is pretty much every day
16. The entrepreneurial spirit of the Bay Area which encourages me to try new things and push the bounds of what I think is possible
17. The opportunity to be able to take on challenges like the World Marathon Challenge to push myself both mentally and physically
18. Technology - for allowing me to connect with all my friends and meet/ learn from new friends around the world
19. My ability to sleep on planes which will be needed during the World Marathon Challenge
20. Garmin and Google Maps for allowing me to insanely track all my miles
21. My ability to run without music, which allows me to take in all the sights and sounds around me
22. Hot tub conversations in Park City, Utah which have led to several changes in my life over the last few years
23. A good beer or glass of wine to enjoy while catching up with friends
24. The 24 minutes it took to complete my 5k Turkey Trot in the rain last Saturday in the rain
25. My goals and the motivation it provides me to stay health and explore the world
26. Morning runs that make me feel like I have a accomplished so much before the day has even started

26.2 - That marathons aren't 27 miles long

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Make sure to walk/run off some of that turkey. (I know I will!)