Monday, October 30, 2006

What Are We Running From?

Sunday RM finished his 10th Marathon!

RM ran in the Grand Rapids Marathon, with a time of 4 hours, 10 minutes. Yes, people, that's four (4) hours of running, non-stop for 26.5 miles! He averages about a 9.4 minute mile. Not too bad for someone over 40 with a bad hip. Way to go sweetheart!!!

After each one of these, I get inspired. I think maybe, might be, sorta, kinda, if I only applied myself, I might be able to accomplish a marathon. Then I review the training schedule. Whew, what a commitment. Lot's of miles each week, with a progressively longer run each weekend. Now, that drastically cuts into prime knitting time. No way, not for me!

But RM does it, year after year. Sometimes, it's almost like he is addicted to the run. He becomes obsessive about getting out there each day. Our Saturday mornings are dictated by how long his run is. I ask myself, "What is he running from?" Is he scared to get older? Is he too stressed and this is his way of blowing off steam or checking out for a while? Is he really happy with me? Now that's my fleeting moment of insecurity talking - ignore the last comment.

But I don't think he is so much running from something as to something. He is running to health. To work towards a goal. To get the joy of overcoming a challenge. For him, it's about the process. About climbing to the top. About finishing what you start and get the joy of completion. Isn't it the same with knitting? It's not just the finished object we are creating, but the excitement of design or pattern searching. The quest for perfect yarn. The applying yourself and overcoming the challenges to finish the work. Consequently, we as knitters, are just like runners. We are addicted not only to the joy of completion but to the process. So I say proceed with knitting!

Does this mean I can run to knitting as a form of exercise?

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Back to Blogging . . .

Well, I am back.

For a short time I had another blog.

Somewhere else.

Under a different name.

But the relationship just didn't work. So here I am.

A little about me. . . I am a SAHM, with two kids. Soccer Chica at 14 years old and Little Man Boo-boo (Little man or Boo for short) who is 4 years old. Before you say anything, yes there is quite a span between them. Maybe we had one too many glasses of wine one night? There is also Kitters The Grandma Kitty, who is 14 years old. I'd really love a dog, but Running Man (also known as RM or husband) says no. So we wait for the dog.

We live in Battle Creek, Michigan, where RM was born and raised. This is a good town, but for a city as large as it is, everyone knows your business. Not that my business is that interesting, I'm just sayin' . . .

I am currently enhancing my yarn stash and trying to knit everything I can get my hands on. Right now, I am in a sock phase, having knit five pair in the last two months. Love to knit for babies. How can you not love something that's fast and fun.

Some of my own designs are in the works. Hoping to post a few free patterns here. . . watch for more details.

Will post more later. . .

It's good to be back.