Yesterday, I ran my 18 miler. One more long run left til race day.
It wasn’t bad. I didn’t worry about my pace, just ran whatever felt best. And when I got home, I was bummed at just how much speed I’ve lost over the past year. My pace dropped by about 45 seconds per mile, which is pretty awful. Some of that has to do with the fact that I’ve gained around ten pounds since this time last year. Some of it is just the lackluster training.
I’m glad I’m not planning to run another marathon until 2016. I need time to really focus on my training and get back into shape.
The run itself was nice though. Calm before the storm. Today, we’re supposed to get hit with snow and ice (the snow has just started, in fact), though nothing like the Midwest has been getting. Enough that I don’t want to be out running in it, though. There weren’t a ton of people out on the trail, which made for a calm run. Did see a number of deer running through the park though. I always worry about them – there is a road running through the park that people always speed down. The deer are typically smart enough to stay off of the road, but that’s never a guarantee.
While running, I was mentally planning my next few weeks. With Thanksgiving coming so late this year, I’m really shocked that Christmas is coming so soon. This week, I have choir practice MWF, leading up to our holiday concert series next weekend. Next weekend is also a local 5 mile race. The week after, I work 4 days, take Friday off to run 20 miles, then fly to my parents’ house for the holiday.
(I actually just stopped at this point to place an order for one last gift – perishable, so it needed to wait.)
As a kid, it seemed like the holiday season stretched on forever. Maybe it’s because in school, we spent so much time preparing for holiday concerts and most of December was filled with preparing for Christmas. I went to a Catholic grade school (and high school and college and law school), so weekly mass was filled with Advent preparations. Somehow, as a grown-up, holiday preparations aren’t as fun. Instead of spending the days decorating, I spend my days cramming in all of the projects that need to get done before the holidays. I didn’t even get the Christmas tree up at the office this year. Maybe next year, I should put it up in August, just to be sure it happens.
Ha. Im glad I’m not the only person i know who went Catholic all the way through law school!
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I still remember one day in law school where a friend complained to me about the crucifixes in all of the classrooms. I had to admit, I hadn’t noticed them. In my brain, that was standard classroom decor – clock, chalkboard/whiteboard, crucifix.
(Also, she was at a Jesuit school – what did she expect?)