Give thanks

As I was reflecting this past Thanksgiving, I realized I have much to be thankful for this year.  I was a highly functioning alcoholic.  I never had a DUI,  thank God, nor was I ever in trouble with the law. I never required a drink to get me going in the morning and my body never had to suffer any real physical withdrawals if I was ever without it for a time. And it never ever,  affected my work.   
Actually, more often than not, among addicts who happen to have professional careers,  it's the workplace that's the last to suffer.   Sure there were times when my close friends may have noticed I went a little overboard at parties or get togethers, but that was just me having fun or an isolated occurrence from having a rough week.  It wasn't like I had a real problem.  Nope, I held it together pretty well.  Not a lot of people knew I had this problem or could even tell. I was such a great player that I even fooled myself.  It may have appeared that I had it all together, but in reality, my marriage was crumbling, my kids were suffering and I hated myself.   Now I'm a highly dysfunctional alcoholic in recovery.  I am dysfunctional because I will never have it all together, and  will always depend on my higher power.

The holidays are hard, but  it could be worse, a lot worse. I have so much to be thankful for.  My God has saved me from so many close calls when I was under the influence. So this Thanksgiving,  I'm happy to be healthy and with my husband, family and friends. 
I also got tired of running with a hangover. There were times I'd go for a 3-4 mile run after a night of drinking and barely sleeping, with my body dehydrated and already worn.   I knew this was not the best idea knowing the medical repercussions with my heart already working overtime.  
 So there's eleven weeks until the marathon. This morning I ran 13.1 miles which is the longest distance I've run at one time.  There's   only one way to go from here.  I'm trying to be careful not to push myself too hard too fast as to avoid any injuries.  In the process,  I'm learning the difference between my marathon pace and my half marathon pace.  I've also got to decide how to best fuel my energy.  To wear a water belt or not? that is a question to be decided.  And I'm starting to welcome the walking breaks. At this point,  I'm kind of looking at it like a very long running hike.  I'm looking forward to that long running hike through the streets of LA.
    So I continue to take each day one step at a time.  I depend on my Lord and Savior and Him alone to get me through.  I'm  happy to have today, my health, my life.  So much to be thankful for.  

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