Grateful

This is a post I've considered writing for the past two weeks; seeing the devastation of the fires in CO, I realized what I really wanted to write and share with anyone who reads my blog. 

Sometimes I (and many runners I know) take for granted the ability to run; a couple of weeks ago, I experienced an incident that reminded me that I cannot take my health or anything else for granted.  My recent runs have been cut short and some of them a struggle; at this time, I do not know if there is an underlying health issue or if it's just stress catching up with me; I do know that I am cherishing every mile and every location where I run. 

Seeing pictures of CO Springs and talking with people there as part of my job, I have been overwhelmed and saddened; I am sad to see so many losing their homes and miles and miles of beautiful wild areas burning.  I cannot fathom what it feels like to lose a home or job due to fire and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.  I know many trail runners are seeing their favorite places burn and, thanks to the wildfires in CA, I know how hard it can be to experience that. 

Most runners forget how blessed we are to be able to run and how fortunate those of us living in safe running areas are.  For the past two weeks, I have gone to bed relieved that my health was good that day; at the end of a run, I am thankful that I had the energy for whatever miles I did at whatever pace I ran.  Now, I will go bed happy that I have a place to sleep and, when I run, that I have a place to run.