Kimberly Thomas, MSM’s Post

Had a blast running this course again this year and catching up with some old colleagues at SEI's annual 5k Rush Hour Run! Thanks for hosting such a fun race. 'Til next year.. 🏃🏻♀️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I’m excited to share that I’m starting a new position as Client Services Specialist at Thrive Financial Services!

2020 - Ran my first half marathon and said I'd never be able to do a full. 2021 - Signed up for a full marathon then broke my foot in three places a week before race day. I never thought I'd run again. 2022 - Ran my first official race post-injury, a 5k. Later the same year I ran another half marathon and drove across the finish. Neither were a PR. 2023 - Ran my first full marathon and finished after almost dropping the race at miles 16 & 22. Two months later, I ran the same 5k as I did in 2022 and I PR'ed. At the end of the same year, I also PR'ed a half marathon. Then signed up for my first ultra-marathon. Today - Ran my first 50k training to run 100 miles later this year. I've officially graduated from marathoner to ultra-marathoner. Growth is not a straight line. Today was hard, but I've got to keep pressing forward. I've got a race to finish.

It was an honor to support the runners who took on the 7-miler, half marathon, and full marathon at the Jim Thorpe Running Festival this past weekend. This time last year, I was gearing up myself to complete my first full marathon at this very festival, so it was surreal to be back out on that course yesterday knocking out 16 miles of my own training efforts for an even bigger race at the end of this year. A huge shout out and congratulations to all of the runners who stepped foot on that course! The finish line of a race is a personal favorite because of how emotionally charged it gets. It was so inspiring seeing all the runners cross that finish line!! 🏃🏻♀️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This past weekend marked the successful completion of my second Goggins Challenge. I'm still processing the tremendous sense of achievement that the completion of this feat left in its wake, and I'm in awe at the amount of support my team and I received from our communities both far and wide. For each of the 12 legs that we ran, we traveled to different locations meeting a variety of people along the way. Everyone who showed up for us provided support in ways which gave us the determination to keep going, especially in those moments we were tempted to throw in the towel. There were several times I wanted to give up, but I knew the regret that would follow. And now, looking back, I'm incredibly proud of myself and my team for the psychological and physical challenges all of us were up against, but still able to overcome. Personal growth is magnified through experiences like the one I ventured through this past weekend, and I'm excited to continue down this path to see how my journey will continue to unfold.

What were once intimidating feats are now training efforts for bigger and more difficult. This past Saturday I completed my third annual 70 miles in 7 days challenge, putting a difficult distance beneath my feet. In conjunction with the challenge, I completed the #IRun4Movement Love 2 Run virtual 10k race supporting a worthy cause in recognition of Valentine's Day. I am eternally grateful for my health, which allows me to exert myself in ways I never thought imaginable. I'm also grateful for the people who have challenged, encouraged, and rooted for me as I've embarked on what is arguably the most rewarding, emotional, and transformational journey of my life. In a couple of weeks, I'll be completing the Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge giving me yet another 52 miles (with the oddball 13th leg tacked on the tail end) of unforgettable distance. Following the Goggins Challenge, I'll be diving into a full fledged training schedule in what will be one of the most intimidating and exciting races I've ever submitted my name into, The Hennepin Hundred. I've got a tremendously challenging and epic year ahead of me. 2024 will not be a year that I'll soon forget. Wish me luck! 🏃🏻♀️❤️❤️❤️❤️

While I have yet to squeeze in my first 2024 donation, American Red Cross always shows up with appreciation and milestone gifts for the hours dedicated to saving lives each year. Despite some very tall challenges I was pitted up against in 2023, some of which have spilled over into the new year, I still managed to max out my donations and claim an overnight bag while also receiving a recognition pin for 150 lifetime donations. Having experienced both my parents battle cancer, I know first-hand how important platelet donations are for cancer patients and burn victims in particular. Giving my time to provide an invaluable resource to help buy those in need more of the time that I just as easily could take for granted, even if just a small fraction of it, fills me with a sense of purpose that no other cause has before. I can only hope that the small amount that I do makes a big difference in the lives of others and that the people who receive the donations, from all of the donors who've ever sat in that chair, get some of the time they thought they had but was taken away unexpectedly. Be present. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. ❤️