Where's Sprinkles?!

So, I've had two bad running days. I wish I had some great insight for you but really...I'm just looking forward to seeing the Hurricanes tonight and for Halloween tomorrow.

Here's a preview of what I'll be wearing all day long tomorrow...through work...running...and knitting group.

I wore this on Monday night to run club. It was hella fun running through the streets in costume!

So fast, my feet are on fire!

 

Where's Wanda is my go-to costume. I've worn it now for something like 3-4 years straight. A friend of mine, MommaB asked me if I couldn't just DIY myself some sort of crafty costume. I told her that like me....this costume was cheap and easy.

 

Waldo is flabbergasted that I would try to be him!

 

 



Trust me...he's truly flabbergasted.

Crazy week!

It's been a crazy weekend and is shaping up to be a crazy week!

I took my GS troop camping this past weekend. It was a lot of fun but also very exhausting. I'm extremely lucky in that I got to go with one of our mom's who is amazing to work with. We get along really well and work well together to keep the girls safe and happy. The girls make me laugh all the time with their antics.

The best part about camping was that it reinforced the fact that I really am a runner! I left the girls in very capable hands and snuck in a run! I did 3.25 miles. It was super hilly and slightly chilly!

Happy Camper after a good run!

 

On tap for this week...

 

Monday: Run with the Hibernian Harriers Run Club. We'll be running in costume so that should be hella fun!

 

Tuesday: Run with my meetup group. Then spend some time with a friend of mine.

 

Wednesday: Tickets to the Hurricanes STH party! I'll get to visit the locker room and meet some of the players. I can't wait!!! Pictures will be posted!

 

Thursday: Halloween! I'll be dressing up for work and then running with my meetup group. Knitting group to follow! All in costume of course!

 

Then this next weekend is the City of Oaks Marathon! I'm hoping to make it out to the expo and am really looking forward to volunteering and seeing what goes into a marathon and half.

 

In other news: I heard from Ratbastard. I sent him a card last week and wanted to know if he received it. So I texted him. We chatted for a bit via text last night. It was nice to catch up with him and hear what he's been up to. My feelings are so mixed regarding that whole situation. I just don't even know. Who knows what will come of it...if anything?!

 

 

The GS bandito says surrender all your S'mores!



Struggle

Winter will be a struggle for me.

I realized that last night when I ran with my meetup group. It was cold and I was under dressed.

 

The only bonehead with bare arms!

 

Did I mention it was cold?

 

I have trouble figuring out exactly what to wear when it's cold because I know I'll warm up eventually as I run, and I hate having to take off shirts and try to tie them around my waist or something.

 

I have no doubt that this will cause me pain this winter as I hate the cold almost as much as I hate the dreadmill.

 

Here's hoping for a mild winter!!!

Getting my swag on!

If you know me in real life....you know that I love free swag. I use coupons, I like freebies, and I live for a good deal.

Because I'm so cheap...I like to volunteer my time rather than give my money. (mostly because I have more time than money)

So when I heard they needed volunteers for the City of Oaks Marathon in my home city, I was all about it. Hang out with runners....experience the race without having to run it or pay for it...and get free swag? Sign me up!

I had my volunteer training session last night. Plus I picked up my swag!

I get a a tech hat too!

 

This picture in no way demonstrates just how bright YELLOW this shirt is! I love it!

 

I'll be going to the race expo and hanging out with runners. Then on race day you'll find me at about 26.1 miles (or 12.8 if you're running the half marathon)...near the finish line!

 

I'll be the one yelling "You're almost done! Great job! Don't quit now!" 

 

Stuck in my head

Bright Lights, Big City

She dreams of love.

 

Bright Lights, Big City

She lives to run.

                                                                                  -Thirty Seconds to Mars

 

This song has been on repeat in my head...over and over again. It's called Bright Lights and it's by a band called Thirty Seconds to Mars. I've changed the words a little bit...the second "She" is sung as "He," but it fits better for me if I just sing "She."

 

The words are just so fitting.

 

I do dream of love. I dream of that perfect someone who will hold me when I'm down, who will laugh with me and not at me. That intimate friend and lover all rolled into one. The guy with the smile that lights up my heart who will think I'm beautiful and realize that I'm an unpolished diamond.



While I'm busy dreaming of that....I live to run.

Running has filled the void.

It has gone from something I did to prove someone wrong, to something I live to do.

It has become my drug.

If I'm not running...I'm thinking about running. Or I'm texting Bliss about running. Or I'm reading about running. Or I'm looking at new running products or races.

I feel like running has helped me in so many ways already. It's helped me get over heartache and loss. It's made my clothing fit better. It's introduced me to some great new people. It's helped me find new friends.

Can running help me find love?

Bright lights, Big city dreams.

What day is it?

It's WIP Wednesday!

Well...It would seem that running has stolen my knitting mojo. I'm still knitting...mostly on Thursdays at my stitch-n-bitch. But I don't have any great, new projects burning a hole in my head. I haven't been researching anything fun to knit. I haven't picked out a pattern or any new yarn.

I'm frozen in knitting time right now.

I am making a hat for my ex-husband. I have cast on twice for it. I am tired of it already.

So for today...here are some pics of projects that will probably never be finished...that sit around my house just begging to be frogged or worked on.

This scarf is for me and I still can't bring myself to finish it.

 

I called this my Layoff Hoodie. I started it when I got laid off last year. I never finished it. I messed up the cables and found out I was purling backwards. I need to frog this sweater but just haven't.

These socks make me both happy and sad. They are a great color, great yarn, great pattern. I just can't bring myself to figure out where I left off and finish a whole 'nother one!

 

I used to use knitting as a way to quiet my mind and keep my hands busy. I love to multi-task so it was a great way to get something done while I did something else. And while I still love to knit, I'm not sure I need it as badly as I needed it before. But hopefully my mojo will come back because I still want to make myself a sweater. And if I ever manage to frog that Layoff Hoodie - I've got the yarn for one! 

Dammit Sprinkles!

I think Bliss has a new catchphrase: "Dammit Sprinkles!" It makes me laugh every time I see it on my phone.

What usually happens is that I brag about how many miles I ran (because I am proud of myself and everyone else in my life is tired of hearing about my running)...then Bliss feels like she has to keep up with me...so she bangs out an even longer run...which makes me feel like I should run further!

The latest time she said it was after I told her I ran 5 miles on Sat. She then proceeded to run 5.47!

That is why she is amazing.


It is interesting to me how much running has an effect on my moods. I ran Sat (5 miles!) and felt good all day Sunday. I took an rest day on Sunday due to getting my First Aid/CPR re-certification and running errands/cleaning house.

Today I feel like pond scum. I can't put my finger on exactly what's wrong, but my mood is low. I'm kind of cranky and drawn into myself. I'm not my normal cheerful, happy self.

I know what part of the problem is. I sent a card to someone this past weekend regarding a very important event in their life. I expected to hear something back from them, at least a text or email saying "hey" or "thanks." Nothing. *crickets*

So now my head is in a tailspin wondering if they received the card or if they're just ignoring me. *sigh*

I'll get over it. I'm running with the Hibernian Harriers Run Club tonight. So that will be fun! And the sun is out today! Hooray! I was beginning to think it was on furlough.

WIP Wednesday

Guess what day it is ? GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS?

HUMP DAY!!!

 

Ok...now that that bit of fun is out of the way...it's time to see what Sprinkles has been working on...

 

I present...WIP Wednesday!

 

*crickets*

 

Ok...so I finished my cowl and don't have a new project yet.

I do have a couple of WIPs that I should be working on but aren't.

 

I'm making a feather and fan afghan out of Caron Simply soft in Grey and NEON! This blanket might burn everyone eles's eyes but it makes me happy! 

 

I only wish it glowed in the dark!

 

Waldo loves it too.

 

I also need to start a hat for my ex-husband. He's moving to Ohio and I want to make him something (easy) to take with him. It's a long, crazy story that perhaps I'll get into one day. Perhaps not.

 

As for running...today's a well deserved rest day. Gotta give Bliss a chance to catch up with me. If her new shoes ever get here! 



Perspective

Sometimes running...like life...is all about perspective.

Before I go any further...I should say that I love to run. I also love to knit. I am not the best at either of these things but I do them because they're fun for me. I do them for me and the feelings I get when I do them.

That being said...it's funny sometimes. When I run with my meetup group on Tues/Thurs/Sat...I'm one of the fastest people there. I'm always at the front of the pack. Last night I did sprints with the guy who runs the group and I was blazing fast. (for a whole min)

I use Runkeeper to track my runs so I know that I don't run at a super fast pace but I know that I run about an 11 mm.

So when I got an email about a new running club starting up that promised free pasta and salad where all paces were welcome...I jumped at the chance to meet some new runners.

I never thought I'd be DFL. (Dead F-ing Last)

Yes...I know. DFL is better than DNF or even better than DNS.

But there's nothing like running your fastest pace ever (10mm!!!) and still being at the very back of the pack.

The good news? I finished the 3 mile run! I got a free shirt! And free food!

And we all know my life motto is FFTB! (Free Food Tastes Better!)

Who doesn't like a free shirt?!

 

 

Edited to add: I'm fully aware that this picture includes a lovely bit of nippliage. Apparently, taking selfies makes me excited! (This angle really makes my boobs look great though!) 

I knit too!

So Sunday I had grand plans to try to run to my local Starbucks in North Hills and then run home.

Unfortunately, when I woke up on Sunday, my body had other plans. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis so I have to listen to my body very carefully. Sunday morning, my body was saying do not go running! Perhaps later I'll write more about having RA and running but right now it's not really a big deal.

So I decided to meet up with my good knitting friend CableQueen at Starbucks! We sat and talked and knit for about 6 hours. It was excellent to get out of the house and spend time with a good friend. She makes me laugh and is so down to earth.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when these two little boys came in....they were maybe 7 or 8 and they stopped dead in their tracks and just stared at me. Then one of them said "Hi." I said hi back and then asked, "What are you knitting?" I was amazed that he knew I was knitting. I told him I was making a cowl which is like a small scarf for my neck. Later on I heard him tell his mom about me. It was so cute!

I actually finished a project! I made this cowl out of Lotus Yarns Cashmere. Its so soft and luscious...I just love it.

 

Isn't she pretty?! And so warm.

 

I actually wore it home it was so lovely.

 

 

Beware the cashmere masked bandit!

 

 

As awesome of a weekend as it was...I don't recommend drinking 3 Grande Vanilla Iced Coffees from Starbucks. You will not sleep. Trust me....I know. 



Running store reivew

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit a new running store just down the road from me!

Fleet Feet opened a new location here in Raleigh, NC! They had a bunch of grand opening activities. Unfortunately, I didn't get to participate in the store-to-store run (they ran 8 miles!) but I did get to try a delicious smoothie, pull 2 ducks to win prizes, vote for the best decorated pumpkin, and learn some new techniques on my foam roller.

I arrived around 10:45am and visited the tent outside of the store first. I talked to some lovely ladies about the inaugural Rock n Roll Raleigh Marathon and Half. Sadly, I won't be able to run that one. I'll be out of town with my GS troop in Savanna, GA!

Then I got to pick two ducks out of a kiddie pool. The ducks had numbers written on them that corresponded with prizes. I picked an 8 and a 9. I got a pair of Brooks branded shoelaces and a flashing Fleet Feet light that I can wear in the dark when I'm running!

 

Who doesn't love free swag?!



I also got a little pin from Brooks that says "Pick up the pace"

From there I went into the store and was very impressed with the layout. Men's clothing to the left, Women's to the right and shoes straight in front in the back. I walked around a bit and made my way over to the shoes. They had my beloved Adidas Supernova Sequence 6's and they had the $5 cheaper than what I had paid for them! Dang!

I talked to a super nice saleswoman about options for socks. I am forever having a problem with my no-show socks slipping. It drives me crazy. She showed me some great looking options.

They were doing some demonstrations with the Trigger Point Performance The Grid Revolutionary Foam Roller.

I happen to have gotten this a couple of weeks ago and thought I could use some better ways to use it. She showed me the best exercises to do with it. It felt amazing. I didn't realize that the little grid parts could be used in different ways to get different results. I now love Ollie (yes, I named my foam roller) even more!

From there I was done so I went over to Panera and got a free bagel. It was delicious. I realized while there that my free blinky light didn't work, so I went back over to Fleet Feet and they hooked me up with one that worked.

I can't say more about how nice and friendly everyone I spoke to who worked there was. They were so helpful and their prices were very reasonable. I will definitely shop there for my running needs!

Running for life

I thought I'd break down the timeline of my running history for you.

For 31 years I did not run unless someone was chasing me. I was the ultimate couch potato. I ran when I was a kid and a little in high school but never enjoyed it. As an adult I would hop on the treadmill from time-to-time but always overdid it and never stuck with it. And surely never liked it!

Sometime this year someone mentioned the Couch to 5k (C25K) program to me. It piqued my interest and I got this bug in my ear that said I should try to run a 5k. There are tons of great 5k runs out there nowadays: fun runs, color runs, mud runs, electric runs. I love stuff like that!

They say that nature abhors a vacuum. So when my relationship ended...I needed to fill that space with something positive. I jumped on meetup.com and found that there was a C25K program starting within a week or two. I signed up.

I ran with that group for 2 weeks. It was June. It was hot. It rained a lot. But I enjoyed it.

 

My first run with the group!

The best part about the C25K program is that it works because it starts you off slow. That first week you're only running a total of 6 mins. You walk 5 mins (warm up), then run for a min, walk for a min and a half X 6, then walk for 5 mins. You slowly build up the time and your muscles and eventually you end up running a 5k. It's amazing. It doesn't allow you to burn out but it still challenges you.

 So why did I only do it for 2 weeks?

 

 

I blame this guy.

 

I sprained my back lifting my dog Waldo. He was hiding under the bed. I went to pull him out and picked him up to put him onto the bed for a quick snuggle. When I lifted him...I felt a sharp pain in my back. A trip to the doctor confirmed that I sprained my back and put me out of commission from running for three weeks. Thanks Waldo! 

 

By the time my back healed...my group had moved on without me. I was too far behind to catch up.

 

So I did the unthinkable. (for me at least) I ran by myself! I live 5 mins from the greenway so there was no excuse. I ran 3 times a week for about 6 weeks by myself in August and Sept. I finished the C25K program on my own! I was super stoked.

 

Then I ran the Electric Run in Sept. I thought I would have to run it alone, but when I got there I spotted a bunch of my friends from the original meetup group that started it all! They let me run with them and I had a blast. I had to walk some parts of the 5K...it was rough...but I finished!

 

So where am I now? Well about 3 weeks ago I joined up with the new C25K group and I am running with them. It's funny to see how easy the early runs in the program are now that I'm used to running 30 mins non-stop. But it's also nice to run with a group and meet new people.

 

I'm running the C210K program on my own. I'm planning on running with a different group of runners some days. I'm registering for an 8K Turkey Trot (a race held on Thanksgiving morning). I'm volunteering for the City of Oaks Marathon. I'm going to enter the lottery for the Nike Women's Series Half Marathon in DC. Hopefully I'll get accepted and actually get to run that Half Marathon! I'm planning on running a full marathon with Bliss in Oct. of next year.

 

Lots of fun running stuff!

 

Me in all my reflective glory before my run last night!

My glass slippers

So I got new running shoes this year. Twice...if you count the fact that I bought a new pair when I started the Couch to 5k program this summer.

I started with the cheapest sneakers I could get. On a rained-out beach trip, my bestie and I went to the outlet mall. I got my Adidas Liquid 2's for around $30. Not bad for a cheapo like me!

Aren't they pretty?!

 

However, they are not proper running shoes. I jerry-rigged them with a Dr. Scholls gel insole to stop my shins from hurting. They looked hella good though!

 

 

With the advent of the great experiment...I decided it was time to get serious and get myself fitted for some new running shoes. So I went over to my LRS and got these bad boys:

 



 The Adidas Supernova Sequence 6

 

Let me just say that these shoes are AWESOME!!! I love them. They cost more than anyother shoe I've ever worn...but they are a dream to run in. I just wish they were brigher colors! 

Life is funny...

I have a confession to make....

I am a bit of a Pollyanna. I fully believe that you can make lemonade out of lemons...that every cloud has a silver lining...and that life is funny.

This has been a rough year for me. I've had a lot of good things happen, but I've also had some huge bad ones. One of those things was being broken up with (not once...but twice).

Ratbastard left me in a bad place. He dumped me to make his mom happy and on his way out said some very unflattering things about my appearance. And while I like to think he didn't mean them...how do I trust anything he ever said to me?

Within dealing with all of the heartbreak that comes with being dumped....a very strange thing happened...

I made a new friend.

My new friend Bliss was going through some issues of her own and we connected via an amazing knitting website. She took the time out of her day to try to make me feel better and to relate to me and the more we talked...the more I realized what an wonderful person she is. We eventually started calling each other and now text almost everyday.

Bliss lives on the other side of the US from me. (all the better for global domination!) Somehow...we got to talking and she came up with this crazy idea to run a marathon together. Me...being just as fun and crazy as she is....agreed!

I feel that Bliss explains it best so I'm copying what she said in her blog..."The Domino Effect has been known to happen with positive endeavors, so we're keeping it real by not blaming each other for any joyful by-products. It's a pretty cool deal with which we sweetened with doughnut rewards and other motivational perks."

I'm super excited to have such a huge goal to work towards (26.2 miles!) and to have such a great long-distance training partner. I think we're going to push each other to do great things. And I can't wait to meet her because I'm planning on running the Portland Marathon in 2014!

Bliss...I guess the secret is out of the bag!

(my favorite motivation poster - courtesy of Nike)

Obsessions

I often become obsessed about things. It happens often enough that when I get excited about something, my friends joke that I'll soon be over it.

However, two things have stuck with me so far.

The first was knitting. I started knitting as a NYE resolution to learn something new. (And we all know how those turn out!) My first project was a dog sweater that pretty much took me a year to finish.

(Can you spot the glaring error?)

From there I progressed to more knitting, more yarn, and even a Stitch n' Bitch group!

This blog will cover lots of my knitting and knitting stories I have no doubt.

The second thing that has stuck with me is running.

I started running when an ex (Ratbastard) broke up with me. He told me I couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't ever run a 5k....so of course I had to prove him wrong!

I ran that 5k...and have continued running for myself!

As my latest obsession, you'll probably read most about my running. I just love it.