I’ve been watching Monday Night

I’ve been watching Monday Night Football with my dad. We want Philadelphia to win, because if they do, and the Panthers win next week, then they go to the playoffs despite their 1-7 start to the season. My family has become big Panthers fans. I’ve never been to a game, since their first season in Charlotte was my freshman year of college. But I get to go to the stadium for the first time on Thursday; Mom bought three tickets to the Continental Tire Bowl and gave them to Dad for Christmas. The three of us are going to see Carolina battle Boston College.

Yesterday we all went to Chapel Hill for the day for the now-traditional day-after-Christmas lunch with my Aunt Nancy and cousin Casey. Dad wasn’t able to come because of problems at work, but the rest of us had a nice time and Aunt Nancy fixed a fabulous meal as usual.

Today I did my longest marathon training run. WHEW, glad that’s done. The marathon is in 20 days — January 16. Today I ran four slightly different laps from the house, 5.8, 6.3, 5.3, and 4.6 miles for a total of 22 miles taking me just over 4:15. That’s pretty slow, but I did take a break at the house in between each lap long enough to gulp some water and goo. The hills that I enjoyed on last week’s shorter runs really started to do a number on me during my third and fourth laps and my legs, knees, and feet are pretty sore tonight.

All in all, it was a decent run and I accomplished what I needed to — staying on my feet and moving forward for 4+ hours. At the end of the run I was very tired, but not totally spent, and I felt I could have done another 4.2 miles if necessary — which is exactly what I’ll do in 20 days. So I feel ready for the marathon. If things go well, I expect to finish right around the 5-hour mark. Not bad for someone who was definitely not meant to be a runner!

I’m happy to have stuck with the training, and happy that I’ll be able to accomplish the goal of running 26.2. But I’ve also decided that I don’t really think marathoning is my thing. It’s just so far, and I don’t like the discomfort the long runs cause. I’m happy to be doing one, but I don’t think I’ll run another one anytime soon. The half marathon distance is so much friendlier. Of course, now that I’ve said that, just wait, next year I’ll probably be doing the full thing again. I’m stupid like that.

I had all sorts of grand plans for Christmas break, mainly involving making my Peru scrapbook, but it doesn’t look like it will happen. I’ve been so busy and I only have a week left of vacation! And going to Atlanta takes away a few days of it. Mom and I have lots of plans for the next two days — making necklaces, getting measurements taken for my bridesmaid dress, going to the Cheesecake Factory, going to the Tire Bowl… Whew! I do love being home.