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.