Feeling inspired

I was talking to Megan the other day and was trying to come up with a running comeback race.  She would like to do a 10 k in the fall and I would love to do this with her, but I am ready to be back soon.  Ok so I haven't actually started running because I am still healing.  But I am feeling inspired after a visit to the Cool Running website.  It it still early in the year, but race calendar is filling up.

I had originally thought I would be back with the Big Lake Half, but the race is under new management and they have jacked the price up to 65 bucks.  I cannot justify the money for a race I have done for last six or seven years. It's not like the course is going to offer any surprises or anything new for me.  But it really is a matter of convenience.  It's only 20 minutes away and thanks to Jay parking at the race end is never a problem.  And then there is my buddy Steve who always runs the race with me...its like a weekend tradition.  So basically it's a protest of the increased race fees, but I feel like I am talking myself into it.  Right now I am also contemplating the Bow Lake 15k...also right down the road, beautiful scenery, and I know the race fee won't break my cheap bank.  It's going to be just as hilly as the Big Lake if not more so.

And I am going to pass up on the CARS this year.  It did offer me a pre-planned running schedule and I know I could do most of the races with a stroller.  Maybe it was being pregnant midway through, but I felt like I was stuck in that race schedule.  I did finish even though the last race had to be on the most humid day of the summer and was one of the tougher courses in the series.  I don't think there is a flat spot to be had in the town of Canterbury.

So my goals for the next few weeks are to start getting back on the treadmill.  I have my fancy new sneakers ready, I have located my shorts, and my favorite sports bras (yes, they fit).  Now it's just a matter of getting the green light from my doctor.  In the meantime I will keep walking.  The breastfeeding diet is working well for me and my clothes are starting to fit again.  I really just want to be in my favorite pair of Levi's...

Project # 2 of the year

I finished my first knitted project of 2013....made myself a pair of socks after modifying my old standby pattern.  Instead of a plain knitted foot, I kept my ribbed pattern for the top of the foot.  My hope is to have a more secure sock that won't slide.  I am quite particular about how my socks have to fit and I do love my handmade socks, but there is always room for improvement.

Onto my second project of stash busting.  I bought some lovely sock yarn at last year's sheep and wool festival here in New Hampshire and I had decided long ago that it was too pretty to be wearing on my feet.  The color reminds me of the warm waters of the Caribbean with a hint of silver woven in.  I am making a lace scarf and its turning out quite lovely.  And it does not even require blocking when it's done!

Added another two plus miles to my 1000 mile journey on Friday.  We had a brief warm up this past week and then woke up to a fresh blanket of white this morning.  We need just a few more inches because John promised me a ride on my sled next week.  Anyone want to watch Grayson for a few hours?

But today we are spending the day inside by the fire.  The winds have been howling here for the last 24 hours.  John has been off at a structure fire in Strafford.  For once, I am thankful that I am out of action.  Too darn cold to be out playing!
995 to go....

997 to go

One very sad little dog.

I have hit some major accomplishments as of late.  I zipped up my prebaby winter coat without an issue.  I was able to actually wear sneakers and made it on our walk at a steady pace.  I didn't even have to stop to catch my breath so to speak.  I have also been able to play in the yard with our very depressed puppy dog.  And today I plan to start my mileage countdown for 2013.  I am still not ready to get back to running, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Today I am planning on walking a whole two miles and I am planning on doing it wearing Grayson and dealing with the beast on a leash.

My knitting projects continue and hopefully I will finish this pair of socks by the end of the week.  I have found a neat little pattern to use up all of my sock yarn scraps.  There are only so many pairs of little mittens I can handle.  So the pattern will eventually make what is called the beekeeper's quilt.  Each square is in the shape of a hexagon.  And since this year is using up what's in the yarn basket...and well there are a lot of leftover scraps of sock yarn from the years living here.

Grayson continues to thrive even though he has decided he hates breast feeding, but I keep making him attempt it.  He went out with us for sushi last night and did really well.  He would've done even better if I had timed feedings right and he would've slept through the entire meal.  Next time....

Happy to report it was 3 miles....only 997 to go for this year.

Revising resolutions

I made some lofty New Years resolutions back on January 1, but lets flash forward to January 24.  Grayson was born via c section and thus went my 1000 miles for 2013 out the window.  At least I think my goal seems to lofty as I continue to recover.  The pain is gone, I can almost lie on my stomach to interact with him during tummy time on the floor.  The swelling is finally gone...who knew my ankles to get so big.  And I have managed one walk around our neighborhood!  It was slow,  ask John.  I definitely have a way to go, but figure I can start out on the treadmill in the weeks ahead.  That way I can start tracking my miles.

I have managed to start working through my yarn stash in between feedings and diaper changes.  Thankfully he sleeps well so I can usually get some knitting done at some point during my day.  And he doesn't require constant holding until usually evening and then it seems to be fussing for the sake of fussing.

And I have found that I have to be doing something during nursing or pumping and started to download audio books. I sure hope the movie Argo is better than the book because I am having a hard time focusing on all the history behind the rescue.  The who is who of Iran almost needs a diagram so I can keep everyone straight and their role in the hostage crisis.

So that seems to be the long and short of it in my little world.  On a brighter note, I get to finally drive again tomorrow....yay two weeks was long enough.

What's in my yarn bowl

So here I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Savage.  In reality I am bored out of my mind.  I am not someone who sits around easily and really there is only so much knitting, reading, and napping one can take.  I worked right up until my due date and beyond.  I fully expect to be back in the rehab room again tomorrow.  I miss my favorite winter activities....snowshoeing, cross country skiing and I even miss running in the cold with the snot freezing down my face.  Ahhh in just a few weeks I should be able to get out and start finally enjoying this season.

What am I knitting you wonder.  It is the year of stash busting at Chez Savage so I am finishing up a pair of socks for John and yesterday I managed to put legs and the head on Baby Savage's bunny.  Not so sure about my sewing skills to get the critter's ears and arms on, but that is why I have John.

What am I reading you ask.  Well right now I am reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  I am over halfway through it and am still not sure if I like it.  Some of my friends who use Goodreads have read it and it was available through my library.

As for napping, it hasn't been until this past week or so that I find I need to lay down when I get home from work.  It's as much for edema control as it is for rest.  My water intake has been great and that has made a lot of difference.  I am thankful it is one of my favorite beverages or otherwise I would be in trouble.  But I have a new habit and that has been constantly crunching on ice.  It's bordering on full out addiction.  I just cannot get enough.  I did read somewhere that ice crunching is a sign of anemia, but I am eating plenty of iron rich foods as well as taking my dietary supplements.

I guess my time out from knitting is over and I need to get back to my yarn bowl.  I am halfway down with the second sock and other balls of yarn are itching to be placed in the bowl for the next projects.

Note:  I was having trouble getting my iPad and blogger to connect so I decided to put then blog down and walk away.  Well life has sure changed since January 20 when I originally tried to post this.  The socks are done and obviously we have a baby.  There is a new project on my sticks and more waiting in the wings.  I already have to make him some new hats because his head was a bigger than I anticipated and brrr it's been cold here in Barnstead.