Funny how my last post was weather-related — specifically, how bad this this winter is expected to be. And yet, there I was, out on the trails this past weekend, running eight miles on completely snow-free paths. We have yet to experience the first snowstorm of the season. All we’ve had so far is frost and maybe a couple of inches at most.

As much as we all love Michigan (I figure you must if you’re a reader of this blog), if the ice and cold wants to take their sweet time arriving, that’s just fine. Especially if it means a mid-December trail run. This is Reason #1 I am a happy runner: being able to spend a Sunday afternoon on the Vasa–not on skis, but in running shoes. And in capris and sunglasses nonetheless. (This morning’s run did require strapping on the Yaks, but it was a thin layer of crunchy-icy snow. Not too slick, and it just felt good to be out in the crisp more wintry-like weather.)

‘Tis the season for feeling grateful for the cherished people, places and things in our life. Having this unseasonably warm weather comes on the heels of a few other makes-me-smile things, all running related. Other reasons  I am feeling especially thankful as of late:

Reason #2 – I recently learned that I was accepted into the 2012 Brooks Inspire Daily Program. What this means: some cool (free) gear as well as exclusive access to events and other “insider” experiences. I’m waiting to get more details, but from what I understand it’s a program with definite perks. I trained for my last marathon in the Brooks Launch shoe, and I became hooked. The color definitely caught my eye — white body, purple sole, turquoise shoelaces — but these shoes also are incredibly comfortable to my; they’ve got some cushion but not too much. They feel more like a minimalist shoe, in a way. Very flexible. I ended up buying my second pair recently. So when my friend and running coach Lisa suggested I apply to this Brooks program, I figured it was worth a shot and I felt good about liking the company’s products. I’ll keep you all posted on what I learn. Have any of you been involved with this program?

Reason #3 – Online registration for the Bayshore races opened earlier this month and I was able to sign up both myself and my husband for the half marathon — no easy task since this race filled within hours. But beyond being happy that we got in, I’m excited to run with Joe. This will be his first half marathon, and he’s actually just getting back into running after several years of not running much at all. He’s working on a “back to running” plan, created by Lisa, and then will start his half marathon training later this winter. It’ll also be our first race together. I’m also thrilled about good friends signing up for new-to-them distances: Trisha, who helped me finish the Bayshore Marathon last spring, is running her first marathon, Kelle has signed on for the half and my sister-in-law Micki as well as a bunch of others are in for the 10K. So I’m thinking we should have a huge post-race Bayshore bash of some kind, to celebrate everyone’s impressive feats.

Reason #4 – Boston Marathon training is going well! It’s also a bit more on track, thanks to Lisa, who came up with a 5-day-a-week running plan that I started this week. I’d actually started a few weeks back, thinking I needed to do another 22-week program like I did for my first marathon. But Lisa and I got talking, and after arranging a “trade” (more on that soon — I am helping Lisa with an exciting project in exchange for her coaching expertise) — I learned I needn’t do a 22-week plan since I have built up a strong foundation of consistent running over the past year. Here’s my training schedule:

So, runner friends, what’s making you happy?