Post-IM thank-FULL-ness.

I must admit doing an Ironman only 4 days before Thanksgiving was a genius idea.

I sat around like I had been run over by a dump truck for a day or so after the race and then recovered just in time to hop on a plane to visit my family in Bend, Oregon. About that time my appetite came around as well. This was all working out perfectly as I was invited to judge a pie contest at Footzone's "I Like Pie" turkey trot. Dad + Chris ran, while my mom was extremely disciplined and sat back and watched me and a few others judge 70+ different pies. Perrrrrfect.

Thanksgiving was lots of fun as my sister and her better-half, Scott came to town. We all took part in making part of the dinner and then it was time to feast.

I just wanted to take the time to highlight ten things I was thankful for in 2009:

1. Chris and Madison: Love them both!
2. My family of Ma+Pa Pickell, Dana+Scott, Ma+Pa Corbin, Kyle+Bree, and grandparents all around.
3. Missoula, MT: quite possibly one of the best places on earth filled with great people.
4. My health. I think the concept that I am able to push my body to physical extremes daily with training and racing is pretty remarkable.
5. My job. In an economy that is struggling, I am thankful to have found a job, and one that I love. I love to race, I love to share my passion of Sport, I love seeing others race, I love to train.
6. The people that make my job possible: sponsors, supporters, friends + family.
7. Traveling to new places.
8. All things non-triathlon related: baking, reading, good friends, Sunday mornings with Chris, good beer, just to name a few.
9. Finding the positives + never giving up through the good and bad parts.
10. Having a drive: this is what gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me going for 2010.