Being Thankful

So often in life, we take things for granted.  I have realised more and more lately, that amongst the moans and groans of being bound by Ironman with it's tough training regime and every thing it encompasses - I've got loads to be thankful for.. 

• Like the ability to be able to wake up every morning ( I have had many family and friends who have passed away long before their time...) 
• Like having a loving husband who does his best to help out in amongst working a full time job, with a determined, grumpy, impatient, independent, but loving wife (not everyone finds that one person to annoy for the rest of their life - Thanks Greg) 
• Like having busy children who make me proud everyday and challenge me everyday ( not everyone can have their own children and so I am fortunate to have raised 3 children with huge character - thanks Georja, Lockie and Max)
• Like being able to hop out of bed with a creak and a groan cos every muscle in my body aches (not everyone has the ability to get out of their bed on their own or at all). 
• Like being able to train when the kids are at school and not have to miss out on still being a huge part of their lives (not every one can get away with not having to work full time and fit their hours around their family/training - thanks PORSE)
• on that note - Like being sponsored through Ironman by a great organisation like PORSE (some people shell out phenomenal amounts of money throughout their Ironman quest with little to no financial support like I have been fortunate enough to have had)
• Like being afraid of panicking in the lake (it means I can swim)
• Like getting chaffing and a sore butt after a long ride (it means I can ride a bike)
• Like cramping after a hard run (it means I can run)
• and most importantly - Like having wonderful family/friends to share the load and the pain with (I'm lucky to have fantastic support from my family and friends, who put up with my shit and pick me up when I'm down - Thanks to you all - you know who you are!!)

I'm sure there is loads more to be thankful for but I guess this goes a wee way to explain why I am out there doing this.  Because I am thankful everyday for the things I have and the things I can do.  This includes the fact that I can swim, I can bike and I can run, so why not try to join the ranks of thousands of others and be an Ironman too!!
Thanks to all of your support - it means the world to me.