Another update on the bro!

He flew home for Thanksgiving and I was so excited to see him again–I hadn’t seen him since he ran his very first half marathon back in May!

After the USA Half Marathon on Saturday, my husband and I drove immediately home because my brother would be arriving that evening. We didn’t get to really enjoy San Diego, but we knew we’d be back 🙂

The day after the race, my brother and I had plans to hike Camelback Mountain. It’s a popular hike here in the Phoenix valley and one that is a lot more challenging than people think. I wrote a little about it here.

Anyway, my brother had been looking forward to this hike so much because finally, he was going to be able to do it. At least he hoped so! (I had no doubts.)

But because of my cramp fiasco, I was worried about attempting such a difficult hike so soon–in addition to feeling under the weather (hello upper respiratory infection!). So, very very unwillingly, I stayed home and my husband took my place.

And of course my brother made it to the top!!

brother, husband

My husband said that when they were looking at the 360 degree view of Phoenix, my brother whispered, “I can’t believe what I’ve been missing.”

❤ ❤ ❤

I’ve said it a billion times but seriously, I’m so ridiculously proud of him.

Later that week, we went down south to spend Thanksgiving with family. My husband and I, whenever we go home for the holiday, like to run in our local Turkey Trot. This would be my brother’s first!

When I first signed up, I had planned on trying my hardest to keep up with my brother. He’s my newest competition 😉 But, I was coughing up a storm and did not feel well at all, so I decided to just run for fun. When the race started, I started my watch and never looked at it again.

My brother finished waaaaay ahead of me with a killer 24:30 time (not even a PR for him!). He was so happy to have run a race in our hometown and have people he knew cheering him on.

My dad was a the finish line. It was the first race in my life he’d ever been to. ❤

We stuck around after the race because we had a feeling my husband’s 20:50 would snag him an age group placement–the race has ten year age groups (20-29, 30-39, etc.). So it was HUGE surprise (not to me though) that my brother placed!!!

My husband, 1st–my brother, 2nd!!

It was funny because my husband ended 7th overall and the 6 guys in front were between the ages of 14-18. When we saw the bulletin board announcement, it was a bunch of teenagers and then a thirty year old, LOL!

It was such a fun week and seeing my brother continue to run and enjoy it makes me so happy. He was so beside himself at having placed–he couldn’t believe it! I don’t think he stopped smiling all day. I’m so thankful to God that he’s been able to make such a monumental change in his life and that he’s committed to his new life. Every time I write about him, I mention how sometimes we doubt people can change their ways, their bad habits, their addictions, their attitudes. But here is living proof for you. Here is proof that if you never stop believing, hoping, trusting, having faith–that change can come.

Believe that it can and it will.

me and the bro

–Those stateside, how was your Thanksgiving? Do any Turkey Trotting?

–What are you thankful for these days?