7 miles!!!! (that's more than 1/2 way)

On Saturday I completed my 7 mile run. I ran 5. Walked 1/4. Then, I ran the last mile and 3/4. It's all about the distance, not about time and I needed a little slow down for my legs to keep going. The coolest thing that happened on Saturday is that it wasn't my breathlessness that necessitated the rest; it way my tired legs. I'm pretty sure that's never happened to me before. I ALWAYS run out of breath first. To me, that's an exciting new development. It means my cardiovascular health is improving. Now I have to get my leg muscles to follow suit. Although, in just 2-3 weeks I've come a long way. 5 miles used to really kick my butt. Now, I'm making it through 7 without being in awful pain and having to go directly to sleep after the run.

Honestly, I'm pretty proud of myself. I've stuck to my training religiously. And I never thought I'd ever run 7 miles in a row in my life. Even if someone was chasing me, I'd have given up after 3 miles for sure! I'm a shotputter, after all. I'm a clydesdale not a quarter horse. But this clydesdale is going to make it through a 13 mile race.

That's something to be pretty proud of.

I have a problem

I'm a yarn shopping addict. Today, I placed orders at purl and knit picks. Sock yarn for Arrrr-gyles, 'Greetings from the Knit Cafe', and some new KP needles. At purl, I bagged some fabric and a black sheep tape measure. (I can relate to my black sheep) And I couldn't pass up some really cute Koigu.

I have problems. My stash is overflowing yet I buy more yarn. And this time, I went down a new road... fabric. Psst.... I don't have a sewing machine. It was just so beautiful I couldn't pass it up. Maybe for Christmas someone will surprise me. hint, hint.

I have to go knit or my closet will explode.

6 miles!!!!

That's right. I, former couch potato, just ran 6 miles. And, thanks to the great advice from Poppins from the knitty boards, I don't want to go directly to sleep now. I slowed it down a little from my 3 mile pace. I ran 4 miles. Took a little water and bathroom break. (less than 5 minutes) Then, I ran the last 2 miles. I'm really proud of myself right now. Sure, I'm a little sore right now. The real verdict will be tomorrow morning if I can get out of bed. :)

Brian fixed us a great salad for dinner. Considering it's 110 degrees here, salad sounds great. Our poor AC can't keep up with trying to keep it under 80 degrees in the house. I had to go to work today and walking outside into that heat was brutal. And I burnt my hands on the steering wheel. Thank goodness for our AC. I wouldn't be sleeping at all otherwise.

The Binge

I went on a yarn binge yesterday. Actually, for the past week but it all arrived yesterday. It started innocently enough. I went to LYS for a new set of #3 dpns. And there it was.... The sock yarn aisle. I tried to stay away but I was unsuccessful. I got these little beauties. They'll make very cute stripey socks.

Then I started thinking about a scarf I have planned. It's going to be multi-stranded and I needed a couple more yarns to round out the color scheme. I've had the Manos in persimmon (the middle) and the KSH in marmalade (front left) for awhile. But I got some Lang Venezia in rust (both sides in back) and Karabella Mirage in oranges (front right) to round out the color scheme. It'll look great all knitted together for Fall. I'm lucky to have gotten out of there for under $100. Seriously, how can 1 set of dpn's multiply into a bag full of yarn????

When I got home, the postman had left me such a nice package! It's my sock yarn from Sundara!!!!!! 2 skeins of Cupid (left) and 2 skeins of Emerald Isle (right). Now I just have to find a pattern that is worthy of this lovely yarn.

Frustration

I ran another 5 miles on Saturday. And those 5 little miles sent me to bed for 3 hours after I showered. I really, really struggled through the last mile. I mean I gutted it out. When I was done, I didn't think I could walk another step. I'm really frustrated. I can run 3 or 4 with little or no pain. And I can stay awake after those distances. So what's the deal with 5? It's just one more mile. Do I not get enough sleep on Friday night? Am I dehydrated? I don't know. But I'm definitely frustrated. Especially when I'm supposed to go up to 6 next Saturday. sigh....

On the knitting front, I'm afraid I'll run out of yarn on a sock again. This time I'm using Koigu for Pomatomus from Knitty. It's turning out really nicely- soft and cuddly. And I love the color. I just turned the heel and the yarn ball is getting smaller and smaller. I guess I'll find out as I go.

If I don't make it... You guessed it.... Frustration.

It kicked my butt

Those 5 miles on Saturday kicked my butt. I'm still sore. And my (arthritic) knee is starting to ache. Uh oh!

And then there was Pomatomus. That's kicking my butt too. gauge issues. dropped stitches. UGH! And I'm getting weird sock knitting callouses on my fingers. I feel like I should change my knitting style but that's really tough.

I think it's time for me to stop whining and go to bed.

FIVE

That's right. I just ran 5 miles. It hurts now that I stopped. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt that much while I was going. I think I need a nap!

Progress

I'm making progress on my ruffle scarf. I'm on the third and final ball of Calmer from Rowan. I forgot how much I love this yarn. It's soft and stretchy. And the size 7 needles feel like tree trunks since I've been working on socks lately.

BTW, if you haven't seen the HBO series Entourage, it's great. It's like Sex and the City with boys. Fabulous. And if you hate the story you get to watch Adrien Grenier and Jeremy Piven for a 1/2 hour. And there's nothing wrong with that. I've loved the Pivs since PCU. He's delicious... My husband understands. That's why I married him....

France 1, Brazil 0

That was a huge shocker and one of the first big upsets of the world cup. I really thought Brazil would take it all. There hasn't been an all European final four since sometime in the 1980's. Now that Brazil is headed home, my money's on Italy.

This picture pretty much says it all...

Picture courtesy of the FIFAworldcup.com

But all went well at the Chicken household... I finished my Jaywalkers!!!!! My world cup of knitting is complete. YAY! And I have a couple of needle callouses to show for it. The socks are really cute. I knit the second one a little tighter than the first so the stripes don't quite match up. Oh well. Hopefully the recipient won't mind. They're a little difficult to get on and off. But once they're on, they are lovely to wear. They're made from Knit Picks Sock Garden in Stargazer Lily. According to Grumperina's website, this is a popular choice. I used size 1 addi bamboo dpn's. (They're affectionately known at the toothpicks.)



Now I have to turn my attention to the ruffle scarf that's been on my needles for at least a year. When a friend at work remarked that it was "STILL?" not finished, I got the hint that it needs some attention.

In other news, after an interesting hour at the Social Security Office, my name is officially Mrs. Brian. Since we lived together before we were married, it didn't really feel different after the ceremony. But now I have to start signing a new name. So that's something new and different. And, if you can help it, avoid the social security office. No one is happy to be there.