tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47247211347183981622024-03-14T09:31:52.507+00:00The Knit and Run BlogThe progress of a seasoned knitter and her baby steps into the world of running.knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-34107211718466556042016-02-29T15:28:00.001+00:002016-02-29T15:28:21.794+00:00Satisfying sewing - Roman blinds and a Pneuma TankIt's been a good week for training. A brutal session on the turbo saw me too tired to even wave when the lovely fiance walked in mid-way through. A long and plodding long slow run where I was more bothered about going gently and trying to start to build some happy memories along the doomed Richmond route, and a good run/swim session today.<div>
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Plus Sean's got a week off, which means he's been doing lots of nice cooking. Homemade hummus and quinoa falafels?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But even better, I've done some useful sewing. And this makes me feel good.</div>
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Aaages ago (like, 2 years or something ridiculous) I made 3 big roman blinds for my mum, to go in our big living room at home home. At the time it was a full on labour of love. The maths melted my brain. Crawling around on the floor with only a 30cm ruler ruined my knees and my back. But in the end, they looked surprisingly good. Not perfect (as a first attempt made on the floor they were never going to be), but good.</div>
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There was a little bit of fabric leftover, and I waited for mum to decide whether she wanted some cushion covers or another blind to go in the dining room. Mum went for another blind. </div>
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And it took me about a year to get around to making it. Because I knew it would be another massive faff. Eventually I sucked it up, and got it made, using <a href="http://sew-helpful.com/roman-blind-lined-index.php" target="_blank">this great tutorial</a> (the same I'd used for the first ones).</div>
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Yes the maths melted my brain again. There wasn't enough lining. The kit had the wrong sort of rod tape. But I got there in the end. And again, was quite satisfied with how it turned out. Should be able to get it home in time for mothers day!</div>
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The other thing I was pretty chuffed with was my first successful bra. A sports bra at that! Well, a light support yoga type bra. This was the Pneuma Tank from Papercut Patterns and it was super simple. Sewing knits is something that is still very new to me, so I was really pleased with how this went. </div>
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It fits really well. It looks really good. The only things I might change next time is line the front and do the neckline/straps as continuous. The pattern didn't call for foldover elastic but I thought it would look better (and I just sewed it in half for the straps) but didn't quite manage enough joined up thinking to realise I could just extend the neckline elastic to be the straps.</div>
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In other news, I had a catch up with some old school friends at the Lantern Festival at Chiswick House. Freezing cold but worth it, much better than expected. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-6226956659056226082016-02-23T12:03:00.003+00:002016-02-23T12:03:54.530+00:00Fresh BeginningsDespite the horrible cold weather there are occasional days when it feels like Spring might just be around the corner. After our failed trip to Kew Gardens earlier in the month, the lovely man and I went again, this time on a day when the sun actually shone and the orchids weren't completely rammed with people. It was still absolutely freezing and the orchids were still very busy, but wandered around the quieter, further reaches of the gardens and had a lovely morning.<br />
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The magnolia buds were just starting to open. Some of the daffodils were trumpeting away in the brisk breeze.<br />
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And in the conservatory the orchids looked spectacular. There was a Brazilian theme this year, hence the elaborate displays...<br />
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After our morning at Kew we headed into London town. I wanted a dim sum fix (FYI Southbank PingPong on a Monday lunchtime in half term is a generally stressful and somewhat disappointing experience) and then we were making a bit of a pilgrimage to the Nike store in Covent Garden to get me some new trainers...<br />
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Long story short, don't bother going to the shop to buy trainers. They didn't have my size, or the colour I wanted. They suggested going to the Oxford Street flagship store....Which we duly trekked to, only to find that the guy there hadn't even heard of the style, and definitely didn't have any in stock.<br />
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Sigh. I got home, went on the website and ordered my size in the blue colour I'd been eyeing up in the shop. And then a few other things because I was fed up and everyone needs more socks. Always.<br />
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So I said goodbye to my Flyknit Lunar 2's and hello to my Flyknit Lunar 3's. I thought my 2's had held up pretty well since I got them as my reward for my first halfmarathon in May 2014, but looking at them in comparison to the newer ones it was obvious that these were trainers that had earned their retirement. I'm not sure exactly how far they've done, but for context they carried through marathon training and to the finish line of my first marathon and beyond...and never once gave me blisters.<br />
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Onwards and upwards now though, with some shiny new trainers for spring.<br />
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-52892040373804757552016-02-09T09:19:00.001+00:002016-02-09T09:19:40.882+00:00The Long weekI'm trying to be a bit structured with my training this year. I've notoriously always just winged things a bit, very much listening to my body. But now with my snazzy planner in hand I'm able to, well, plan things more. So I'm working on the traditional 4 week cycle - three weeks building in distance, one rest week. And I've just hit the rest week. This week consisted of a hard NTC workout, an insane 90 mins on the turbo trainer, a long (horrible) run on Sunday, and a 2km swim (made up of drills). I'm really feeling it today. Things ache and hurt, and I've woken up with a crick in my neck. Time for a rest before starting all over again.<br />
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The (horrible) run was to Kew Gardens. There's something of a curse when it comes to me running along the river to Richmond. A route that is doomed to end in pain and frustration (like the Richmond half marathon last year that saw me have a massive tantrum and then throw up everywhere at the end). I wore the wrong shoes - should've been trail but they give me blisters anything over 10km. I was running with a big rucksack containing my nice camera and change of clothes for the gardens, which weighed me down and made my shoulders ache. And I was still tired from the epic turbo session. I got killer stitches, blisters and couldn't have been more pleased that the route was 3km shorter than anticipated. But I stuck it out and got there in the end.<br />
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We sat and had breakfast at the hugely inefficient and always quite disappointing Orangery cafe, before heading to see the orchids. We walked in, took one look around at the massive crowds, and went home. I managed to snap this little guy posing in the entrance before we left.<br />
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Being members means we were able to write off a bad morning, and come back another day.<br />
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We spent the rest of the day sat on the sofa(bed) watching the rugby.<br />
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In other news, I've finished one half of my new pair of mittens. This got frogged once after I realised the large was going to be way too large, but I'm pleased with how it's turned out. I looooove the little thumb top!<br />
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Further sewing plans afoot, and I promise I will write a Linden review, as soon as the light improves enough for me to take some decent pictures!</div>
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-55721910561299380502016-01-26T11:28:00.001+00:002016-01-26T11:29:19.994+00:00Cloudy Day legwarmers, and proper trainingIn the past two weeks since I wrote last, a few things have happened. They break down quite nicely into categories. And since this is the 'knit and run' blog, I'll start with some knitting and running...<br />
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I finished my 'Some Cloudy Days' legwarmers. These absolutely flew off the needles, a very satisfying and quick knit. I've yet to wear them out properly but from the few times I've tried them on indoors they're very cosy indeed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-AAIRDQKinHi8tsONDCDpDLPvnxdTUtq2SdlF62Rgm4YUBjGdKglGK9eARrC79-7O1QHRhrbTjiru5_auu_64XuUsGHHlrhQR1v9K-DQuYLg6dIOUhbNOmpea4XrqrPMy029vdEOM2uM/s1600/DSC_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-AAIRDQKinHi8tsONDCDpDLPvnxdTUtq2SdlF62Rgm4YUBjGdKglGK9eARrC79-7O1QHRhrbTjiru5_auu_64XuUsGHHlrhQR1v9K-DQuYLg6dIOUhbNOmpea4XrqrPMy029vdEOM2uM/s320/DSC_1043.JPG" width="180" /></a>I had originally planned a shawlette/scarf with the remainder of the alpaca stash, but on the one time I've had to pull on my mittens I discovered the dreaded moths had got to them. Only one hole, but a terminal one. So the rest has been earmarked for some podster gloves (already well under way).<br />
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On the running front, I've actually been doing some!! I haven't run properly in months and months, and the last run of any distance was probably the ill-fated Richmond Half from Kew Gardens (lesson learnt - don't run a half marathon you haven't trained for after two days of weddings). My little trot down to the gym ( a downhill 3km) had been alarmingly hard work the first time I'd tried it. Fortunately my legs quickly seem to have remembered what running should feel like, and the next week the downhill jog felt a lot more comfortable.<br />
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So with the lovely fiance getting into the business end of his marathon training, we both used Sunday morning for our long runs, before crawling back into bed for an afternoon of lazy film watching. I did a tried and tested route - out to Bushy park and back along the river, a nice 12km. For the first time I tried running to heart rate. Not so much a zone, but just keeping a constant number where I felt comfortable. This kept my attention away from worrying about pace too much. A focused 175bpm and I felt surprisingly good. Yes my legs started to ache, and my trail shoes gave me blisters, and my waistband started to chafe but it was so good to feel like I was back doing some positive training.<br />
I felt part of the Sunday Long Run club that I've been away from for so long. And I loved it.<br />
Also turned out to be a not at all shabby 6:05/km pace.<br />
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Triathlon. I'm very much trying to keep an equal focus on all disciplines this year. And in time for my birthday my latest weapon in my training arsenal arrived - a turbo trainer. Bargain from sport pursuit, it's got 5 different magnetic resistance settings. I downloaded some encouragement from Chrissie Wellington and had my first home spin session last week - brilliant. Sweated buckets, destroyed my rear tyre, loved it.<br />
Swimming-wise I've upgraded my swimplan account and have started to get back into regular 'workouts'. I'm still committed to putting a tumble turn at the end of each joined up length. Unfortunately my watch really doesn't have much luck at counting lengths (I hate to think how it would do with strokes or SWOLF stuff) and regularly comes out at least 400m short. But still, it all goes on strava.<br />
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I've also done some sewing, but I'm so proud of it I'll save it for another post. Clue - it involves my first encounter with knit fabrics....knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-30379927786533481602016-01-12T10:54:00.000+00:002016-01-12T10:54:17.970+00:00Everything starts somewhere...As the late great Terry Pratchett wrote, "Everything starts somewhere...". This very much feels like the start of something. I have a need to mark out the start of 2016 as a proper Beginning.<br />
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New Years always bring a feeling of renewal, of starting afresh, of new beginnings and better resolutions. But this year is a little bit different. I (and indeed the lovely fiance too!) started a new job on the first Monday of the year. Mine is very different to where I was. From a clinic in central London where appointments with patients would last hours and courses covered weeks, to rooms in offices in Surrey and Slough where appointments are 30 mins including paperwork time. I'm also working by myself. And for rather long days, up to 12hrs at a time.<br />
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This is all rather a big step forwards. The long days mean I spend 3 and a half days at work (unfortunately including Saturdays, so parkrun is lost to me). Giving me plenty of balance with my 'life' days - Mondays and Fridays no less! The lack of time and energy over the latter part of last year to do anything creative/fitness related is related in the neglect of this blog. I'm very hopeful that now that I have so much more 'life' time, I'll be able to do a lot more of the things I love.<br />
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I'm planning a lot of knitting, sewing, crafting, wedding prep, running, swimming, cycling, workouts. I've <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/em406/some-cloudy-day-2" target="_blank">already started!</a><br />
I have big goals for the year. There is another marathon to run. Triathlons I want to enter. Things I want to make.<br />
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But I'll save the goals for another post. Today I just wanted to place my finger, and say 'here is where the journey began'. I hope you'll come along for the rideknitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-35855658969139550302015-06-04T20:53:00.000+01:002015-06-04T20:53:16.141+01:00Celebrating 3 yearsIt's (again) been a little while, and much has been happening. Two major themes today; sewing and running.<br />
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But since this is the <i>knit</i> and run blog I should probably fill in an update about what's on the needles. I've got a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lichen--moss-shawl" target="_blank">Lichen and Moss</a> scarf that's gone into hibernation now that I'm confident I won't need it any time soon (well, as confident as I can be with British summer weather). There's a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/liala" target="_blank">Liala </a>that gave me a bit of a mental block before I worked out there was an error in the instructions - and being crochet and therefore not my most experienced yarny craft it took me a while to accept that I was indeed right and the pattern wrong. But this has also given way to the latest project; an <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/echo-flower-shawl" target="_blank">Echo Flowers Shawl</a> in a beautiful maroon colour (technically '<a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/Fyberspates/_Scrumptious%20Lace%20Commercial%20Loganberry/512100/Scrumptious%20Lace%20%20517%20%20Loganberry%20100g" target="_blank">Loganberry</a>') for a friend's wedding present.<br />
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As for sewing, my little brain is full of plans. Myself and the fiancé were out touristing this week (hooray annual leave!) and dropped into <a href="http://www.foyles.co.uk/" target="_blank">Foyles</a>…where I bought a lovely little book called <a href="http://thesecretsofsewinglingerie.com/" target="_blank">The Secrets of Sewing Lingerie</a>. Instantly wanted to make it all. Started fairly simple and wanting something to celebrate our 3 year anniversary I made the 'Boudoir Blushes' camisole and french knickers. And I'm pretty darn pleased with how they turned out.<br />
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Obviously french seamed throughout, they're trimmed in a little sort of tulle-y lace. The fabric itself is a slinky and slippy polyester with a beautiful paisley pattern, and I surprised myself with how well I managed to work with it. The pattern was lovely and simple. Unfortunately I ran out of trim (despite ordering an extra half metre) so ended up trimming the top of the shorts rather than the legs. But I think I maybe prefer it that way anyway.<br />
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The top is actually a little big for me - the darts aren't quite in the right place - but it was only ever meant to be a wearable muslin anyway and for nightwear it doesn't make much of a difference. I'm chuffed with the little set.<br />
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I also bought some spotty tulle for 'Babycakes' bra and panties set… No doubt that'll feature in my next update…<br />
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As for the running things have been going well. I've managed to hit a PB at parkrun two weeks in a row (WHOOP!) and suddenly find myself eyeing up a sub-25 for the first time. The Endure 24hr relay is looming large next weekend and the week after that is the <a href="http://www.nike.com/gb/en_gb/c/cities/london/womens-race-series" target="_blank">Nike 10km</a>. I was really determined to get into it this year after having to watch all the snazzy photos and build up to last year's We Run the Night. So I was speedy to sign up, and equally speedy to pick up the race pack. It's got a snazzy race tank, and came in it's own little bag. There's a colour coded wristband for starting wave, a medical bracelet, and a guest pass wristband for the fiancé, as well as the race number shoe tag. The fact there's no bib number makes me suspect that individual photos may not be a feature.<br />
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Finally, it's been 3 years since my lovely fiancé first became my lovely boyfriend. It feels much longer, in a good way. Being in Covent Garden to pick up my race pack at Nike Town meant we had a chance to go to our favourite anniversary restaurant - <a href="http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/" target="_blank">Belgo</a>. Mussels, chips and beer. Perfect.<br />
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We've also tentatively started making wedding things..! There are going to have to be quite a few paper flowers made between now and the big day, but everything has to start somewhere.<br />
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So it's been an exciting few days recently. I can't wait to see where the next 3 years will take us.<br />
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-82918748746148956362015-05-11T17:13:00.000+01:002015-05-11T17:14:16.566+01:00It's all about the bikeSince I last wrote, my weekends have been dominated by the bike. My sister had signed herself, her boyfriend and me up for a <a href="http://www.pilgrimshospices.org/supporting-pilgrims-hospices/pilgrims-hospices-cycle-challenge/" target="_blank">45 mile charity ride</a> in Kent the first weekend of May. The lovely fiancee was invited too, but there was the small problem that he didn't own a bike. Or at least not for long…<br />
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The weekend after the outing of my last post, and after a very expensive morning shopping (one bike, a coffee machine and a new phone) we headed back down to Kent for a warm up cycle - and Sean's first road outing. Fittingly, as you'll discover, it rained. We remained undaunted. He thoroughly looked the part, turned out to have not just super strong running legs but super strong cycling ones too, and only fell off once…<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A second expensive morning</td></tr>
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Practice run completed we came back the next weekend too (again, after an expensive morning courtesy of the female-specific cycle shop <a href="http://www.bellavelo.cc/" target="_blank">Bella Velo</a>…) for the big ride. We were set to do the 45mile loop of the <a href="http://www.pilgrimshospices.org/supporting-pilgrims-hospices/pilgrims-hospices-cycle-challenge/" target="_blank">Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge</a>, starting in Ashford and going out to Canterbury and back. The weather wasn't kind. In the short while it took us to get from the sister's house to the hospice in Ashford it felt like we'd been riding within our own personal showers. There we registered our bikes, had a couple of team photos taken by my parents and felt a bit as though we'd wandered into a whole different world. Much like when I started running and went to my first race, I felt painfully out of place. The area was dominated by men on speedy looking bikes. But feeling at least I'd figured out that such thoughts were unfounded in the running world I tried to shrug them off. After all, they were getting just as soaking wet as we were…<br />
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We set off as pairs; the boys riding together at their naturally quicker pace, and me and my sister just trying to enjoy the experience. One (apparently sign posted) wrong turn took us up a brutal hill, which made me rather concerned about the promised 'categorised climb' on the way back. (I needn't have worried - our detour actually took us up a steeper hill, so we were well prepare). The torrential rain continued pretty much the entire way to Canterbury, our halfway point, where it eased off for us to eat some of the amazing food provided by the volunteers. Unfortunately being soaked through meant we got cold quickly, and the boys soon headed off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls team at halfway</td></tr>
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The return leg was blessedly dry, but hilly. I found all the spin training paying off, and even started to hear the 'hill songs' once the legs started pushing. To be honest I found it all thoroughly enjoyable and quite inspiring to look forward to future bike training for the triathlon. Plenty of time to think on the quiet back roads and I found myself wondering if maybe I'd stumbled into a sport to fill my days with. I'm very excited about where my triathlon journey may take me...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on the back roads towards Ashford</td></tr>
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Not having a sports watch or <a href="https://www.strava.com/" target="_blank">Strava</a> running we didn't really know how near to the finish we were. A road sign stating "Ashford 4miles" gave Kate a second wind, but suddenly finding ourselves back on the road towards the hospice came as a bit of a shock. With elated whoops we free-wheeled down the hill and turned into the hospice, to be greeted by the boys, more food, some sunshine, and a medal. </div>
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My first cycling medal gives me much of the same feelings as getting my first running medal did. Excitement and pride. While I'm sure there will be more, nothing is quite the same as the first. Being a charity ride there were no times recorded but the boys think it probably took them about 3:30. I've no idea and don't care how long it took me and my sister, all that matters to me is that I enjoyed it so much even in the rain/cold.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys and Girls reunited at the finish</td></tr>
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There has been some running still. <a href="http://www.parkrun.org.uk/bushy/" target="_blank">Bushy parkrun</a> now runs on a new (and possibly better) course. We'd still been doing parkrun on Saturday mornings before heading down to Kent for the bikes. The morning before the big ride I volunteered, but the lovely fiancé ran since it was his 100th run at Bushy. Volunteering meant I got to try my hand at barcode scanning, and seeing the new wide start in action. Verdict on scanning; awesome. The first barcode I ever scanned was that week's winner. From then on it was head down, cheerful 'good mornings' and suddenly 50 minutes had passed. It was brilliant.</div>
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Finally, this weekend was spent (with no bikes involved) at the parents' house in Spain for Mum's birthday. The whole family was there; all 3 of us sisters plus boyfriends. The sun shone, the pool was warm and life was good. We even squeezed in a little run on Sunday morning. My first run with Kate was a short tempo run. It felt really great to be in a coaching role - I was able to put into perspective just how far I've come with my running. And it was lovely to be able to pass on some of that hard earned knowledge.<br />
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Signing up to the triathlon and starting to do some training as a group has been awesome. I fully plan to harness the boost that training together gives, and we're starting to plan proper little training weekends. Cycling and swimming at theirs in Kent, cycling and running up here in London. It really feels like the start of a very exciting adventure. </div>
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Come and see where it takes me!</div>
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-22586431596575058412015-04-12T21:34:00.000+01:002015-04-12T21:34:58.330+01:00On the road again......I can't wait to be on the road again…<br />
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I used to cycle quite a lot. In London it was my transport of choice - more reliable than the tube, often faster than buses, and free! I used to cycle to uni, and to various hospitals for placements. I enjoyed it. Battled through the winter weather, gloried in the brief summer sunshine. But it was only ever to get from A to B. Which meant a couple of things<br />
1) I would always have a rucksack full of the stuff I'd need when I got to B. Namely a change of clothes, and some food.<br />
2) I would be trying to get there as quickly as possible. Cycling in London amongst the commuting pack turns the journey into a quietly deeply competitive race. Surely with everyone going about their own private cycles and concentrating on not getting hit by cars/buses/lorries/crazy van drivers/seemingly blind pedestrians you can't really race? Think again. There's a whole system of points out there, and trust me, it rings true.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>But since I moved further out of London, the distance from A to B has been too great to make cycling worth it. Time is money, and now the train works out cheaper. So my lovely bike has sad forlornly in our spare room, the tires slowly flattening.<br />
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Until this weekend! Since this year will be the year of the triathlon, it was high time I got on the bike. Spinning each week, while great for shedding some water weight, is still no match for getting out there. My sister and her boyfriend have always been a bit more into cycling for the sheer pleasure of going for a ride, and I'd been meaning to visit them in their newish house, so I wrestled my bike onto the trains and went for some triathlon training.<br />
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As my first bike ride for pleasure I got to discover the world of cycling jerseys. With no rucksack it turns out a jersey is a necessity for the pockets. Also, cool colours. Somebody hide my bank card..<br />
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So it was a slow 35km ride around the countryside. There were about 2 hills. It was glorious. The sun was shining on a beautiful spring morning, and being fairly early on a Sunday we saw more fellow cyclists than cars pretty much. Without traffic and traffic lights and bus stops and crossings the cycling was flowing and constant. Legs could get into a rhythm. The air was fresh in the lungs. Everything felt right in the world. It was wonderful.<br />
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And I can't wait to do it again. Especially since I had to leave my bike there as the Sunday trains were playing silly buggers.knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-46696735650926028142015-03-15T18:16:00.001+00:002015-03-15T18:16:42.218+00:00Spring is here...I know Spring is here. There's a couple of tell-tale signs…<br />
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1). The sun. It's back, and glorious.<br />
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2). The spring flowers are coming, and they're also glorious.<br />
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3). I get inexplicably faster at parkrun.<br />
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A mere 46 weeks after my last PB, I finally got a new one. Having been absolutely nowhere near it all year, as soon as spring comes around the corner I'm suddenly speedy. I ran sub 26-mins for the first time since last year last week. And despite having 5hrs of walking along the North Downs in my legs, I ran my PB this week. By 19 seconds. I don't know how it works, but something in the Spring air is magic…<br />
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Onto the next spring thing; being super productive. I've had a few days off, which has just enhanced the amount of time I've been spending looking at wedding stuff on pinterest, and has given me the chance to actually start doing concrete things towards it. Including doing some sewing again. If I'm going to be making a wedding dress and a suit for the lovely fiancé then I'll be needing some practice.<br />
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So I went nuts and bought a load of patterns. And fabric.<br />
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And made my first pair of trousers! The fit isn't perfect and I'm not too sure about the whole lack of waistband thing, but hey, trousers! And in a crazy flowery print!<br />
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They're the <a href="http://shop.sewoverit.co.uk/collections/dressmaking-patterns/products/ultimate-trousers" target="_blank">Ultimate Trousers</a> from <a href="http://sewoverit.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sew Over It</a>. Fitting issues aside, these were seriously speedy to make. Just took half a day (having already traced off the pattern). Also, check out the most invisible invisible zip I've ever inserted. Yeh, pattern matching was never going to happen.<br />
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All things considered I've had a pretty good weekend, and a really lovely few days off work. Even better, I've still got 2 days holiday left!<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4724721134718398162%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-TCbuWoSJopY%252FVQXJ70obV-I%252FAAAAAAAAAjQ%252F2efE3hbyNsw%252Fs1600%252FIMAG1647_1.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 274px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1622px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4724721134718398162%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-TCbuWoSJopY%252FVQXJ70obV-I%252FAAAAAAAAAjQ%252F2efE3hbyNsw%252Fs1600%252FIMAG1647_1.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 274px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1622px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-10937555576658105722015-02-22T16:23:00.002+00:002015-02-22T16:23:56.679+00:00Good news everyone!Hello poor neglected blog!<br />
I've been gone for a while and many, many things have happened…but I'm hoping to be back here more regularly now. Because in terms of knitting and running and sewing and crafting I'm going to have a LOT to write about.<br />
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One week ago, on Valentine's day, the lovely boyfriend asked The Question.<br />
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I went into total shock. If I'm honest I thought it was at least a year away. My sister was supposed to be first! But as the week's gone by I've gotten more used to the idea and more excited by the whole prospect of getting and being married. I was also just getting used to wearing my ring (I've never worn rings in my life), but sadly it's gone off to be re-sized so there are no repeats of the sickening moment I thought I'd blended it in the nutribullet…<br />
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So, this was just a quick post to say we have a vague date of 'spring 2017' in mind, and that the wedding will have as many handmade elements as I can find the time for. Including the dress...knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-16470066171875138832015-01-03T14:35:00.001+00:002015-01-03T14:35:49.554+00:002014; a vintage yearAh, in the blink of an eye 2014 was gone and 2015 is charging eagerly ahead. I'm always one to get sucked into buying a nice new note book and writing very neatly some utterly unattainable resolutions. But 2014 has been an absolute vintage year, and I'm actually keener to look back on it in awe than to wipe the slate clean and start again. Here's why…<br />
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- <b>I ran my first half marathon</b>. This time last year I'd just started my proper half marathon training, and the finish line seemed so far away, on so many levels.<br />
- <b>I ran my second half marathon</b>. …and it was totally different. On so many levels!<br />
- <b>I got my barcode scanned by PSH CBE at the end of my 50th parkrun at Bushy's 10th anniversary</b>. If you know parkrun, you'll understand quite how amazing it was.<br />
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- <b>I ran a marathon</b>.<br />
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It feels almost wrong just typing that. But yes, I actually did it. It was one of the best experiences of my life.<br />
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- <b>I finished uni</b>. Finally. For one reason or another, I've been at uni a full 8 years since I left school. I've got 3 degrees. Don't ask. But it's finally over.<br />
- <b>I got a job</b>. Hooray!! Starting the job is a story for 2015 (eek!), but I'm pretty darn pleased with the post I landed.<br />
- <b>I waved goodbye to flat sharing</b>. I loved living with my sister and her boyfriend (and their cat), we made a happy quartet. But I love living with just my lovely man, all by ourselves, out in the quiet suburbs.<br />
- <b>I started learning how to sew. </b>I discovered that I enjoy making dresses way more than buying them<b>.</b> And that making a dress for each new event is deeply addictive.<br />
-<b> I also discovered vegan food</b>. …and that it is a) really nice and b) makes you feel amazing. Meat is something we mostly save for weekends now. I rave about quinoa and chia seeds and tofu and almond milk. I have morphed into something I never thought I would become…<br />
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So, 2014 was a totally epic year. But I'm stupidly excited about 2015. Because now I know I can do all those awesome things, I have the confidence to go out and do even more awesome things. Like triathlon...knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-10873983194749282112014-11-06T09:35:00.001+00:002014-11-06T10:08:32.285+00:00The Venice MarathonA couple of weeks ago my lovely boyfriend and I travelled to a city I've always wanted to visit, to do something rather amazing. We went to Venice, and ran the 29th Venice marathon.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'm going to do a separate post on the personal aspects of running a marathon, and the impact it has had on my outlook. In summary - it's awesome. I had an incredible time. The world post-marathon is a wonderful place.<br />
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This post however is a bit of a review of the marathon/city. Fair warning - it's a bit gushy. I loved both.<br />
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<b><u>The City</u></b><br />
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Venice has been on my 'to visit' list for a very long time. It far exceeded expectations. It's spectacularly beautiful, and bigger than I'd thought. We were absolutely bowled over by the fact that ALL of it looks like a film set. All those pretty photos/films you've seen? It's all <i>exactly</i> like that.<br />
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Getting around is very easy - on foot places are generally within easy reach and we walked most places. The Vaporetto water buses are highly efficient and reasonably simple to figure out. Getting lost on the streets is easily done (and part of the fun), but it's easy to find yourself again - street names are very visible and if you've got a vague sense of direction eventually you'll just hit the lagoon.<br />
The city is packed with tourists. We were there at the end of October so probably not at peak tourist season but still expect some queues for the big attractions and the main streets to be full of ambling tourists. It's not unpleasant though and generally everything flows. Get out early/late though and you'll have the streets nearly to yourself. Highly recommend getting up to watch the sunrise and have a wander as Venice wakes up (very do-able in October when the clocks went back).<br />
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Things are expensive, but some snooping around the back streets will find you some good reasonable food and drink. We had some wonderful prosecco for 4 euros a glass. And pre-race pasta was plentiful! The coffee was also particularly good.<br />
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A quick note about the weather - we totally lucked out and had cloudless blue skies every day. The sun was warm but in the shade/wind it definitely felt like October. It was perfect. It does however mean that in my head Venice is eternally sunny.<br />
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<b><u>The 29th Venice Marathon</u></b><br />
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<b>Organisation</b><br />
This really was an impeccably organised event. We got regular highly informative emails from the organisers, including countdown checklists as the event got closer. The website was full of information. Information on race pack collection was good, and the expo was large and buzzing. The race pack itself was full of useful facts.<br />
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Transport to the start area was provided from the city although the 20 minute window at 6:30am made things a little stressful (a lovely man on the front desk at the hotel looked up water bus times to get to the pick up point for us).<br />
At the start things were again perfectly organised - a giant marquee for getting ready/sitting and mentally preparing, with lots of toilets and free sweet tea. Bag drops were easy. The start waves were obviously set out - apart from the last two (i.e. anything over 4hrs) which just ended up joined together. Which was actually a bonus because it meant I got to start with the lovely boyfriend.<br />
At the end the bag collection was incredibly easy, and again there were tents for changing and showers. We'd chosen our hotel to be near the finish, so didn't make use of the return transport services or finish facilities so I can't really rate them.<br />
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<b>The Course</b><br />
It was a point-to-point course, starting way outside the city in a town called Stra. The course went along the closed main road into Venice, taking in the countryside and towns along the way, before hitting the expo park then crossing the bridge into Venice and seeing the best of the city in the last few kilometres.<br />
Throughout the course the runners were the most important people. I felt like a superstar. Running down the middle of a big road, whole towns turning out to support, big bands along the way, everywhere people clapping and shouting 'brava!' at me. There were quieter bits too, which just allowed me to enjoy the mental aspect of distance running. It was a good balance, and meant that the good bits just acted as a bigger 'pick me up'.<br />
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Kilometer markers were visible and accurate. The route was obvious and well marshalled, no chance of getting lost here. Water stations were regular and fully stocked and staffed (by the looks of it) by local scout volunteers. Bottles were provided! I've never run a race with bottles before, and it was wonderful. Hugely appreciated. After halfway the stations included some electrolyte drink and fruit. There were also sponging stations (sponges were provided in the race packs - although missing in mine!) and although not much needed it was sunny and I can imagine if it had been much hotter they would have been very welcome.<br />
The course was flat and wide until about 30km when various bridges heralded the beginning of the end. The big bridge into Venice was half closed - so the runners had the road to themselves, and the cars sat in the traffic into town provided extra spectators. In town the bridges over the canals had been ramped and the route was fenced off and marshalled by police officers. Again, I felt like a superstar. Very much at the back of the pack but still tourists were hurried across crossing points as I approached. Still people were out supporting, hours after the majority must have come past. There was a floating bridge built across the grand canal, just for the runners. Half of St Mark's Square was cordoned off for the route. <br />
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Really, I can't describe how much it felt that the organisers had ensured the runners had the best experience possible. The city was massively inconvenienced by the road closures and barriers for the day, and there was absolutely no hiding this run in the suburbs. It was an incredible and inspiring course, which placed the running experience at the heart of it all.<br />
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<b>Goodies</b><br />
There was a long-sleeved technical tee with a simple 'Venice marathon' logo in the race pack. It looks good. I can also confirm it's perfect autumn running wear. The all important medal didn't disappoint.; each year it features a site from the course, as well as the key words 'finisher', 'marathon' and the date. All on a nice italian ribbon… I was very pleased with it.<br />
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In terms of the goody bag there was some beer, electrolyte drink, fruit, some weird jam snack, loads of leaflets. The race pack included some energy bars and food, as well as a guide describing what to look out for along the route and information for spectators. You could also get a personalised pacing wristband at the expo with a postcard for your supporters detailing at roughly what time you'd be coming through various points. There was also loads of merchandise available online and at the expo. It was really nice looking Asics kit, and I was very tempted. I like when there's extra stuff to buy, with some logos and 'marathon' splashed all over it!<br />
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<b>Summary</b><br />
So, in summary, if anyone was thinking of doing their first marathon, or keen to try one somewhere different, I would recommend Venice in a heartbeat. I would probably bore them silly with my ramblings about how incredible it was. The organisation of the race and the value placed on the running experience were second to none, and the scenery and surroundings absolutely stunning. It ticked every single box. Yes, we hit the jackpot with the weather which will obviously improve any experience, but all the great things I've discussed would still have been great things even if it was awful weather. There just might have been fewer supporters. Although I suspect that actually it wouldn't have put them off that much.<br />
Go. It might be a bit expensive but if you take a few days to do the city too (we had 6 days in total, 2 pre and 3 post) then it becomes a hugely fulfilling holiday. It was so worth it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4724721134718398162%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-_yb3h2u8XJ0%252FVFs8kJN3WHI%252FAAAAAAAAAgk%252Fk04H5ONVxeo%252Fs1600%252F150107_10154780280090694_6568077275483157555_n.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 233px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 7306px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4724721134718398162%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-_yb3h2u8XJ0%252FVFs8kJN3WHI%252FAAAAAAAAAgk%252Fk04H5ONVxeo%252Fs1600%252F150107_10154780280090694_6568077275483157555_n.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 233px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 7306px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-27442337469073964712014-11-03T11:06:00.000+00:002014-11-03T11:06:02.036+00:00Halloween and a finished scarfIt's been a surprisingly busy few weeks since finishing uni. There's been a LOT of running (*ahem, marathon*), lots of sewing and recently, a lot of knitting.<br />
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It was Halloween a few days ago - not that anyone told the weather that it was the end of October. 24 degrees no less! The boyfriend and I had made the mistake of going to the Tower of London to see the poppies, unfortunately several thousand other people had had the same idea. We gave up as soon as we saw the queues and just came home. To add to the disappointment our supermarket had sold out of pumpkins. My first pumpkin-less halloween.<br />
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So I made some paper ones, using <a href="http://mom.me/holidays/9160-diy-paper-pumpkins/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. I've never seen leaves on pumpkins, so just went with the wire twist. They looked surprisingly cute.<br />
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I also made a ghostly garland with some fabric scraps and newspaper for stuffing, and loved the shadows it cast on the wall!<br />
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The weather has since got the message that it's autumn and so I was particularly pleased to get this scarf of the needles.<br />
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It's a linen stitch in two different colours which gives the rather nice pattern, and you can get the instructions <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/two-tone-twill-scarf" target="_blank">here</a>. When I started this was a free pattern, and was a little miffed when I discovered that it had been re-launched and now cost £3+ to get the instructions for the edging.<br />
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It would be a great pattern for an adventurous beginner, as although it looks rather complicated the actual stitch pattern itself is very simple. Straightforward <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/03/how-to-knit-the-linen-stitch/" target="_blank">knitting and purling</a>, and <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/faq/81.html" target="_blank">slipped stitches</a>. I must warn you though, it's very boring. And using the 4ply it goes verrry slowly. I was quite fed up of it by the end. But it's entirely worth it - the scarf looks incredible and feels gorgeously soft and drapey. It's quite unlike any fabric I've knitted before, really lovely. The edging was a really nice touch and makes it look well finished. It would be good <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/FEATwin04TT.html" target="_blank">picking up stitches</a> practice, and again while a bit mindless is worth it.<br />
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I can get back to my never ending <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/em406/craft" target="_blank">Craft jumper</a> now!knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-17407827813822919302014-09-25T09:00:00.000+01:002014-11-05T15:00:59.887+00:00Richmond Running Festival Kew 10kOk, I've been away from the blog for a loooooong time. Plenty of things have happened, both crafty and running-wise (not so much progress on the knitting!). I really have loads to show off. But the thing that's finally spurred me back online was the race I ran on Sunday with my boyfriend.<br />
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It was the Kew Gardens 10k, part of the <a href="http://www.richmondrunningfestival.com/" target="_blank">Richmond Running Festival</a> which also includes a half marathon, and a post-race music festival. It's only in its second year this year, but sold out. We had originally wanted to do the half, but places were already gone by the time we heard about it.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The route starts in <a href="http://www.kew.org/" target="_blank">Kew Gardens</a>, before heading out on the Thames Path along the river, finishing up in Old Deer Park. Kew is somewhere very dear to my boyfriend and I, and I bought him membership for his birthday last year so we've been there regularly. We leapt at the chance to do some running there. Getting permission must have been incredibly hard for the organisers.<br />
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It was an early start, I suspect because Kew was open as normal and they had to clear the runners out before the gates opened. The first chilly morning of autumn and the promise of a beautiful day. We'd got there early as the info suggested, which meant we had plenty of time to relax in the cafe. I never need the loo before races, but it was obvious that the apparent lack of toilets were an issue for quite a lot of people. Being regulars to the gardens we knew about the location of some of the non-advertised toilets. The organisers have since apologised and explained a last minute problem was to blame for the lack of portaloos. But like I said, it wasn't a problem for either me or the boyfriend.<br />
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The race started in 2 arbitrary waves, 30 seconds apart. It meant I got to start with my (super speedy) man, which seems to be such a luxury these days. I loved it. The course was perfectly big enough to accommodate the runners at the start for the 10k. Running through the gardens was such a luxury. After the gardens we turned onto the river, a route which I've run myself a few times before. I knew it would be narrow in places, and the terrain is more like a trail. Being a public footpath there were people walking against the tide of runners, which must have been hard for them. I know an oncoming flow of runners who think they own the space can be very intimidating, so I hope they were forewarned. The finish in Old Deer Park included the only hill (a slight slope) before a long finishing straight which just begged you to squeeze out a sprint finish while imagining the chariots of fire music. My boyfriend and I both smashed PBs. (However, while his watch measured 10k, mine measured 200m short. It still would've got me a PB though).<br />
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The medal and t-shirt really stole the show though. Easily the best medal and the best t-shirt I've ever seen. Put them together and that really is something to write home about. And there was a free beer. Unfortunately the festival started a bit late for us 10k'ers really. We'd been hanging around for a few hours before a couple of friends doing the half got in, and we were ready to go before any of the music started. But it was a great atmosphere in glorious sunshine, and the finishing straight was packed with supporters, particularly for the half when the 10k finishers started lining the side. The bag transfer was easy and pick up at the finish seamless, with rows neatly organised by number and watched over by marshals.<br />
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I'm really writing this because the event has received a lot of stick on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RichmondRunningFestival?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Some people clearly had the complete opposite experience to us. Because for my boyfriend (who has run a LOT of 10k's and half marathons) it was the best race he's done. I certainly had a great time, and with that medal and t-shirt I have nothing to complain about. On Facebook runners complained about missing the start because they were in queues for the toilets, about the route being too narrow, about water stations only having cups, and running low on water. I think the expectations and demands of runners have become deeply unrealistic. I'm new to running, and appreciated a lot about the race. The start in Kew was something really special - possibly people don't understand that running in a <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/GB/" target="_blank">world heritage site</a> is a bit out of the ordinary. It's not designed for running, so yes the paths are likely to be narrow. There was easily room to run two abreast at the narrowest part of the towpath. As for toilets and water on the course, I feel that people have stopped taking responsibility for their own race. If you know you suffer with a nervous bladder a) do some <a href="http://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/bladder/bladder-problems/bladder-retraining.asp" target="_blank">bladder re-training</a> and b) check out the facilities before you get there. Or get there early. Like us. As for water on the course, runners race at their own risk, therefore if you know you can't get through a half marathon without some water, take some with you. If there's water stations on the course then take some water as back-up. It's always nice being able to drink when you need it and not have to force it down too early/late. It seems highly irresponsible to go into a race without the resources to finish it.<br />
The response of the organisers to the feedback has been honest and swift. Obviously these problems will be easily remedied for next year and I fully anticipate it to be a phenomenal event. The boyfriend and I have already earmarked it as our 'luxury' 10km race for next year, to enjoy and possibly target a pb.<br />
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P.S.<br />
The race clashed with the virtual <a href="http://www.beattheblerch.com/" target="_blank">'Beat the Blerch'</a> run (organised by <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/" target="_blank">The Oatmeal</a>, and inspired by<a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running" target="_blank"> this one of his comics</a>), and while our race pack for that arrived in plenty of time for us to have run it on the same day as the actual race in America a customs charge meant we didn't actually collect it until after the weekend. But the Richmond T-shirt now has competition for 'best race t-shirt', because the Blerch one is darn good. We're running our bleach half marathon in Richmond park next weekend, and will spare a thought for the family of the runner who <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/RunEvanIn" target="_blank">sadly didn't make it to the end</a> of his half at the race in America last weekend.knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-40517763607498705452014-07-30T13:13:00.001+01:002014-07-31T07:46:19.590+01:00Why I keep runningI've had a bit of a struggle with running recently. It felt like I was getting up early for too many mornings, to do a chore that I wasn't enjoying - and ending up with times that I was disappointed with.<br />
So I took a week off from my entire training plan. I used it as a chance to make some changes with my diet. And now that I'm returning to my training, I've reassessed why I run - in the hope that I'll avoid any future similar grinding halts.<br />
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I started with some dietary changes. My sister suffers from dairy-triggered IBS, my uncle has coeliac disease, and I'd finally decided that my constant bloating and discomfort was maybe something that needed some action. And a very unflattering photo of me running one Saturday made me determined that it would be the sort of action that would help me lose the extra arse weight.<br />
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I spent the week eating vegan, with the help of the great resource of <a href="http://thriveforward.com/" target="_blank">ThriveForward</a>. I felt really good. And the food looked amazing.<br />
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So, why do I keep running? I have said that I started running because of peer pressure, a desire to be part of a group. Now that I am (sort of) part of that group, I had always assumed that I'd be a half decent runner. My frames of reference were a bit skewed however; my boyfriend is actually impressively quick for a once-a-week runner, my sister played lacrosse internationally, and the girls on my course are Ironman veterans. Compared to them, I felt rubbish. My park run results are average, nothing better. I was incredibly disappointed with my 2:16 half marathon, somehow believing that I would just automagically be better than that. And the words of my boyfriend encouraging me to aim only to finish the marathon somehow added to the sense not even he thought I'd be any good.<br />
Which is all a bit silly. I'm good at lots of things, it shouldn't bother me that running isn't one of them.<br />
<i><b>I keep running because</b></i><br />
- I want to lose some weight and look good.<br />
- It makes me feel smugly healthy - ok my run might not have been as fast as some other people, but at least I did it, which is a lot better than most.<br />
- I want the medals. At the end of the day, the times I ran will be swiftly forgotten, but the medal says I did it.knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-16988956329996600562014-07-15T20:06:00.000+01:002014-07-15T20:06:08.483+01:00Summer throwback makesIt's actually been resembling summer here in London, most days anyway. I've not been able to sew as much as I want (I have SO many ideas!) due to uni work, but have still managed a bit.<br />
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What I have made has ended up being vaguely childhood throwback themed. First up, a friendship bracelet. I used to make these when I was little, and even set up a little card board 'stall' and tried to sell them to the uninterested members of my family. With a pattern refresher from <a href="http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-friendship-bracelet/" target="_blank">here</a>, I made up this little summer themed beauty;<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I hacked apart an old necklace I didn't like and used the findings to make this a grown-up bracelet that I could take off for showers.<br />
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I also used the <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/" target="_blank">By Hand London</a> girls' <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/11628697-diy-shirred-top-inspired-by-the-great-british-sewing-bee" target="_blank">DIY shirred top tutorial</a> to make this girly top;<br />
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Turns out shirring is awesome. Takes ages, but is awesome. I made some rouleau straps using <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/12975905-nerdy-sewing-tips-how-to-make-rouleau-straps" target="_blank">their tutorial</a>, and then totally plagiarised the awesome crossover style<a href="http://sallybeemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/feeling-flirty-in-flora.html" target="_blank"> this girl</a> came up with.<br />
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I also made another <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top" target="_blank">Sorbetto</a>. I bought some pretty looking fabric in the John Lewis sale, thinking it was polyester, and left it till the evening before my sisters' birthday dinner to make. Then I looked at the label and it said 'viscose'. I did a lot of frantic internet research and decided that yes, I should pre-wash it. So i gave it a little slosh about in some cool water and then hung it out to dry. Googled how long it would take to dry (ages) - and then went at it with a cool iron. Finally set about using my redrafted pattern and made the most perfect top that night. I used bias binding for the neckline and armholes, but as facings rather than exposed. It was utterly perfect. Light, drapey, perfectly fitted, just beautiful. It got lots of admiring comments from the family. Then I washed it, with the nice new hand wash I'd bought. And it came out grey and shrunk.<br />
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It's actually not too small after a good press. I still love it.<br />
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With my darling friend's wedding looming large, I'll have a couple of finishes (hopefully!) to show you soon, including - gasp - some knitting.<br />
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As for running, plenty of news on that imminently.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 162px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 162px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-87345172902194602922014-06-25T16:30:00.001+01:002014-07-31T07:50:30.886+01:00Colette Madeleine Mini Bloomers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my recent sewing projects has been the <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/sewing/madeleine" target="_blank">Madeleine mini bloomers</a> from <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/" target="_blank">Colette Patterns</a>. I like to kick my legs around a lot when I sleep, so pyjamas just ride up my legs and shorts wedge themselves where no shorts should wedge. These seemed like a perfect solution to my nighttime wardrobe woes...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuc4ObuzKm7jjusoa8Z-v9V7rk4U3VkTX3VPoDKvQt8EoRl7ooc6Vfva24selH-WdgoxaRFcL_6JW0DvhB_j40ydKMzkTPaANZAFVHWD0NHbJcTOn823CWeq2IVhbSrh_UJ5G1Q_9z3bA/s1600/IMAG0725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuc4ObuzKm7jjusoa8Z-v9V7rk4U3VkTX3VPoDKvQt8EoRl7ooc6Vfva24selH-WdgoxaRFcL_6JW0DvhB_j40ydKMzkTPaANZAFVHWD0NHbJcTOn823CWeq2IVhbSrh_UJ5G1Q_9z3bA/s1600/IMAG0725.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok, I'll start with the pattern. First off, it's a free download! Double win! I have no problem with the 'print at home' option when it's for small things like this. It's a reasonably simple and incredibly satisfying sew - I really love the elastic casings. So much so that I ditched the ribbons and just went with elastic for the legs as well. In terms of other modification I added a couple of inches to the waistband; my muslin was incredibly low-rise at the centre seam - they were either decent at the front or the back but not both! Also, the legs have some weird curve in that makes folding over the allowance for the cases a bit of a nightmare. I ended up pretty much just folding it out so it may as well have just been a straight line. I'm going to go back and change it on my pattern pieces when I remember.<br />
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I french seamed the crap out of these little guys. French seams everywhere. I love how finished it makes them look.<br />
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I made two pairs! Both out of cheap and cheerful polycotton in floral prints. Perfect for summer.<br />
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And finally here's me showing off my less than model like body. I struggled to find photos of what these actually looked like on people when I was snooping around the internet so thought I ought to do some good. You can see how short/low rise they are. And I have giant thighs and they don't look too bad, so don't be put off if you're on the 'big boned' side, like me.</div>
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-11235708784786473072014-06-23T15:20:00.001+01:002014-06-23T15:20:51.274+01:00Sewing I've been busy sewing recently. Including an epic weekend wrestling with a project for my sister's birthday...more of that soon.<br />
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These things I finished a little while ago. I made a little make up bag for my mum's birthday (and still haven't given it to her..!) using <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=176509.0#axzz35RsSOw28" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> on Craftster. It was quite easy and simple, although I couldn't get the bits of fabric covering the zip ends to show on my first attempt, so I actually positioned them closer together than the tutorial called for and made them rectangles like in her photos rather than square as suggested. Which seemed to help. I have issues with keeping zips from going wavy but that's something I have to keep working on.<br />
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The outer fabric is the <a href="http://www.cathkidston.com/spray-flowers-oilcloth/oilcloth-fabric/cath-kidston/fcp-product/1008319" target="_blank">Cath Kidston oilcloth</a> so it's splash proof, and it's just lined in a patterned polycotton from <a href="http://www.fabricland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fabricland</a> in Kingston.<br />
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The other thing I'm showing off today is my first sewn top. It's the <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/sewing/sorbetto" target="_blank">Sorbetto top</a> from Colette patterns (which is free!), the pleat-free version. Which was perfect for my little remnant scrap of patterned polyester that I picked up in John Lewis. I'm becoming a bit of a fabric hoarder.<br />
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I'd never used bias tape before so that was something new. I bought it rather than made it, although the girls at <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/" target="_blank">By Hand London</a> have an awesome looking <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/14121741-nerdy-sewing-tips-how-to-make-store-bias-binding-without-fancy-gadgets" target="_blank">tutorial</a> for making your own. I made a couple of alterations to the pattern - I added a couple of inches to the bottom, and scooped the armholes a bit lower. I can see a load more of these in my future; simple to make with a small amount of fabric and so easy to wear.<br />
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Finally, here's my proof that I'm still knitting. It's the final push of the shawl for my friend's wedding.<br />
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<br />knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-85882641980953488002014-06-05T09:27:00.000+01:002014-06-05T09:27:06.784+01:00Marathon training begins...this isn't a triumphant return to training. I've left it a bit too long and my fitness has plummeted. We've recently moved house, and while we're now actually local to Bushy park for our weekly parkruns, I don't have any familiar running routes. I've just started my Masters dissertation this week, and the day by day timetabling combined with some serious mental overworking has left me feeling pretty fatigued. Not to mention my commute into uni now totals an hour each way. And depending on the time of day costs up to £15 a day.<br />
So, despite my careful planning in a newly designated training diary, I've only managed one Nike workout and an 8km run. 3 days after the workout my legs were still sore for the run, which should've been perfect - glorious morning sunshine, little rabbits and baby geese along the river.... but instead was an unpleasant slog.<br />
Still, got to start somewhere. Like I've been saying to my study subjects when I stick their hand in ice water - the first bit's the worst.<br />
<br />knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-90254010604785811892014-05-25T10:54:00.001+01:002014-07-31T07:51:35.268+01:00Long term WIPsJust to prove that I do still manage to do some knitting (it's not all running and my new obsession with sewing), I'm finally making tangible progress on a project that's been on the needles for years now. Properly years.<br />
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To cut a long story short, it took me an age to knit the back piece, and once it was finished and looking lovely I placed it against a jumper I already had and realised it was a good few inches too short. No mention in the pattern of it being a more 'cropped style' jumper, just rumblings on ravelry about having to add length. I was a bit distraught and put it away in a bag of shame. Where it sat until something so mindlessly boring (lace knitting) made me feel ready to face it again.<br />
And now I've got a front and a back! Of an appropriate length!<br />
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By the way, the pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/craft" target="_blank">Craft</a>, from <a href="http://www.pod9ecommerce.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kim Hargreaves</a>' book <a href="http://www.pod9ecommerce.co.uk/view-books/scarlet/" target="_blank">Scarlet</a>.knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-90689085164529959602014-05-22T11:30:00.001+01:002014-06-05T09:29:03.932+01:00Helsinki City Run 2014<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">It’s been a while since I blogged, because things have been a bit non-stop recently. I was on placement for 5 weeks which is always hard work and a bit stressful, then had a hen party, an essay deadline, a trip to Helsinki and the small matter of the half marathon, and then moved house. And have my finals next week. Things have been busy and there’s not been much me-time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But, better late than never, here’s my thoughts on how my first half marathon went. (I hope you're sitting comfortably, it's a long post).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the shower at the hotel in the evening after my first half-marathon I cried angry tears of frustration and disappointment. I was sorely disappointed with my time (2:16, something which no longer seems quite so awful). I hated the medal. I’d wanted to enjoy the full race experience that I’d envied as a spectator, but had felt little of it. I wanted to throw away the medal and all it represented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The next day I still wanted to, but the feeling was being overtaken by a determination - to learn from my mistakes, to train hard, and to finish my first marathon. I could tick the half off my list and look to the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Helsinki - the city</b>. Great public transport and a lovely city with plenty of things to see and do. We were staying right in the center among the shopping district and there were plenty of restaurants and cafes and upmarket shops; there was a nicely bustling but not overly busy atmosphere. A trip out among the islands was definitely worth it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Over at the sea fortress on Suomelina</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Helsinki City Run 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Organisation</b>; It was pretty immaculately organised, based in the Olympic park. Pre-race bags and t-shirts were easy to collect, the large supervised bag drop well staffed. Signs to the start were a bit sparse but there were plenty of portaloos once you found it. The big downside was that the start groups were heavily staggered. My boyfriend was aiming sub 1:45, I was aiming 2:15, so a bit of a difference. He started at 3:10pm, I didn’t start until 4:05pm (and there were still a few start groups behind mine). We couldn’t share the experience as it felt like we were running different races (he ran in the sunshine, it was cloudy by the time I started), and there was a lot of hanging around involved for us.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The Olympic Park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTKzlsl8ZWlJfuNU7Yk6FaUhTDOcJ3ecNLinbn8p9nh2TLM8YzG4kE-XlCVDsETyARuudS13t0yctT4NisvYGXV9YBGgg81XNp4_83vk7te84hrN8Uded-bXEXntKGT6QLRy967AS1S7S/s1600/IMAG0557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTKzlsl8ZWlJfuNU7Yk6FaUhTDOcJ3ecNLinbn8p9nh2TLM8YzG4kE-XlCVDsETyARuudS13t0yctT4NisvYGXV9YBGgg81XNp4_83vk7te84hrN8Uded-bXEXntKGT6QLRy967AS1S7S/s1600/IMAG0557.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">My start group</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The course</b>; The heavily staggered starts were presumably to accommodate the 17,000 runners over a very narrow course. Although I’d never run a half before, I’d spectated at Stockholm and Copenhagen so thought I knew what I could expect. I was left quite disappointed. The course took in footpaths along railway lines, through a forest and around a lake, and while not hilly, it wasn’t flat. A narrow footbridge over a large main road had to fit both ‘out and back’ runners, with marshals standing in between. There were no big closed off roads, drummers, dj’s or bands, and only a handful of spectators. Slogging through the undulating forest it was silent. It was quite demoralising. The only redeeming feature was running into the Olympic park at the end (after a vicious hill), which was over in a flash. I saw one little elderly man in 3 different places on the course and he was almost the only one interacting with the runners; clapping his hands and quietly chanting ‘yes, yes, yes’ in time with footfalls. I was so grateful for him.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkjg6_9HzrMgY-4fG2LTrBCix14-NHm7vLeBWc2sE43cG8UOTbE43b-i4txjQS35r90m_GptQR3MUVl1ofbtTsOWo2uBsoCCxROLp1K5hT-f0HGy68Mk2AI4WDhVI3-B1n7aTYWn1PRol/s1600/10354245_10154142278545694_6731831300390278544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkjg6_9HzrMgY-4fG2LTrBCix14-NHm7vLeBWc2sE43cG8UOTbE43b-i4txjQS35r90m_GptQR3MUVl1ofbtTsOWo2uBsoCCxROLp1K5hT-f0HGy68Mk2AI4WDhVI3-B1n7aTYWn1PRol/s1600/10354245_10154142278545694_6731831300390278544_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Little me in black between the two green shirts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">View from the tower at the Olympic Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The goodies</b>; The t-shirt was a nice technical asics shirt, in luminous orangey-pink; I was a bit sad that it didn’t have the magic words ‘half-marathon’ on it. The post-race food was ok, nothing exciting. I ate the banana and the weird crisps, but the yoghurty drink and vinegary rye bread weren’t much touched. The medal was, personally, massively disappointing. Fortunately it does have the magic words on, but the colour very easily scratches off. And there’s no ribbon. You can’t hang it around your neck, or display it with your other medals. I’d always joked with my boyfriend that I only wanted to run for the medals. I’ve been incredibly proud to build my up my collection of 4 10k medals, and all through training had daydreamed about adding a major milestone to them, wondering aloud what it would look like. For the weeks leading up to the run I’d voiced how much I hoped it would be a good medal. When my boyfriend crossed the line and received his, his first thoughts were that I would be so disappointed with it. Which I was. And still am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><u>In summary;</u></b> the glory finish in the Olympic park was everything I’d hoped it would be, but the dreary slog before hand was a let-down. The race felt as though it was designed to rake in the runners and their money, but inconvenience the city as little as possible. The 17,000 were tucked away onto narrow footpaths, watched only by silent marshals. The medal wasn’t one you could wear in triumph, but had to be grasped in a sweaty hand and then lost to the bottom of a race bag. For my first half-marathon experience, the Helsinki City Run 2014 was disappointing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">But not to worry, because now I’ve got a marathon to train for. And my faithful Saucony Triumph's that I bought as a reward after my first </span>park run have earned their retirement.</span><br />
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<br />knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-21628762696524043902014-04-06T17:22:00.001+01:002014-04-06T17:22:29.690+01:00Spring is here!Spring is here! Life is skittles and life is beer! I think the loveliest time if the year is the spring, I do. Don't you? Course you do! (Bonus points for recognising the song).<br />
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Today (actually, it's taken me ages to post this, and 'today' is now 'last Saturday') was an utterly perfect spring day. The sun shone, the flowers were out, the leaves are just starting to appear on trees and everything seems right in the world. Spring is my most favourite month; no other makes you feel so glad to be alive. And unlike summer which can only disappoint, spring can never let you down when so much loveliness is bursting forth after winter, and every sunny day feels like a blessing. Ahh, spring.<br />
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It was in this glorious mood that I ran my usual Bushy parkrun. But not my uusual running. My exceptional mood topped off with the fact I've been a bit lax with my half marathon training (horrible blister under my running callus) meant I had both body and mind ready for some running. My watch also measured the first km very short, which while I knew meant the average was pace was lying, spurred me on imagining I was running so fast. I did actually run fast, and equalled my PB, as well as smashing my way into the top 100 women (I was the 82nd female). My good mood multiplied.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought Mum a little pot of bulbs from the flower stand at Hampton Court station</td></tr>
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I then sat on the train back to home home in Kent for the mother's day weekend. My good mood continued to expand. I so love going back to the countryside, and with the weather so lovely, a tour of the garden was called for. Me and mum searched out the last of the daffodil buds to cut for indoors, and picked some rhubarb for crumble pudding. We pootled and discussed plans for a greenhouse and mini orchard. Then we looked at fabrics for some Roman blinds for the living room that dad is in the process of redecorating. And then it was dinner time.<br />
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Such a wonderfully lovely perfect spring day. I've definitely got my running mojo back. So much so that I've convinced myself to go do some hills tomorrow morning...knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-45806299968423902592014-03-27T14:33:00.002+00:002014-03-27T14:33:48.119+00:00Quilled Mother's Day flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been at it again with the paper and glue. It doesn't exactly look how I imagined it (more tree-like than bunch of flowers) but I still think it looks nice. I used some of the tips on Ann Martin's blog <a href="http://www.allthingspaper.net/" target="_blank">All Things Paper</a>, as well as her very handy e-book, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Paper-Quilling-Decor-Jewelry/dp/1596355913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395929752&sr=8-1&keywords=ann+martin+quilling" target="_blank">'Creative Paper Quilling'</a>.<div>
I bought some quilling paper at christmas because trying to cut out the strips straight was driving me mad, but it was quite cheap and very worth it. That's the only special buy I've had to make; I made my quilling 'tool' out of a couple of needles stuck in a champagne cork - they're different thicknesses so one provides a nice tight coil while the other is a bit looser. Also, after faffing around with stick and pen glues, I can highly recommend getting something that you can squeeze a blob onto a bit of scrap card/plastic with, because that and a pointy skewer made applying glue a whole world easier. I had some fabric lace sticky tape from <a href="http://www.tigerstores.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tiger </a>that I've been itching to use on something, but followed my sister's advice to exercise restraint and only use it along the bottom.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are my supplies, nothing high tech!</td></tr>
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I've not been the only one getting busy with paper; my sister (of <a href="http://cakeykate.com/">cakeykate.com</a> dairy-free baking yumminess) is on the home straight of her architecture degree, and has been model making today. It's of a classicism project for a 'site' in Edinburgh. I think it looks awesome, and her models always make me wish I could shrink down and go explore her cardboard world...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gUIhxtvlczidBWF5cpWwfYkLq_DQb67gsXfzkIefw4YnBG83zpku_lEqCx0RmV5v-ckEi5rQS0TYMJnxOG7RTJomrYUdgV-VcQGkXODzFFs4LHzJ_F66R2Y1mLex_jYZ0aYD1617J-Xo/s1600/IMAG0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gUIhxtvlczidBWF5cpWwfYkLq_DQb67gsXfzkIefw4YnBG83zpku_lEqCx0RmV5v-ckEi5rQS0TYMJnxOG7RTJomrYUdgV-VcQGkXODzFFs4LHzJ_F66R2Y1mLex_jYZ0aYD1617J-Xo/s1600/IMAG0415.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a></div>
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knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-42998906256418785592014-03-25T09:57:00.001+00:002014-03-25T09:57:41.858+00:00Oh pants!My sewing spree continues. Big news; I have finished my dress. My lovely, lovely Anna dress. You can have a sneak preview of what it looks like, but it will get its own post at some point, giving all the details of my beautiful french seams, and adventures with the zip... Here it is next to the lavender fields embroidery that is now framed and ready to take home for my mum at the weekend;<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I've also made myself a pincushion using various scraps from my previous projects, using this sweet little <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/blog/19482/how-to-make-a-pin-cushion-with-judith-dahmen/" target="_blank">tutorial </a>on the Liberty blog. Clearly I should stay away from quilting until my accuracy improves - the pattern on it didn't turn out quite so perfect, but I'm still happy with it. And it works very well, much better than just throwing my pins onto the table and then losing them all.<br />
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And here's the pants! I bought the <a href="http://shop.sewoverit.co.uk/products/knicker-kit" target="_blank">Sew Over It Knicker kit</a> because I just love the idea of sewing some cute little knickers. I figured I could use the kit as a tester to get my head around the techniques, and then use the pattern for a 'proper' pair. Which turned out to be a good idea, because the pair I made using the kit were pretty horrendous.<br />
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The fabric itself was a very lovely, very very lightweight cotton. But the thread supplied with it seemed to have been picked at random - it nowhere near matched. Also, there sizes on the pattern had no corresponding measurements, it was a blind guess as to which size you needed to cut. I ended up using the suggested elastic lengths as a guide. The instructions asked you to finish the edges of the waistband and leg holes with a satin zigzag stitch, which proved to be impossible. The lightweight fabric just puckered up and turned into a horrible mess. I tried lots of different things, and in the end just folded it over and straight stitched around because I just wanted them finished. Putting in the elastic was remarkably easy and technically at the end of it I did have a wearable pair of pants. Just awfully ugly ones. For the 'real thing' I did zigzag stitch the edges, but not on the satin stitch setting, and the slightly firmer fabric held up much better.<br />
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Also, I got the crotch lining spot on this time, and managed to get the edges and seams all neat and tidy. I was a bit proud.</div>
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Finally, the instructions tell you to divide the elastic at the waistband equally between front and back. But because the back piece is much larger this left my test pants with a slightly loose and un-ruffled front, and a very ruffly back. I just allowed a bit more elastic for the back on my 'proper' pair.<br />
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Also, don't worry, I am still knitting and running, hoping to have something to show for them soon...knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724721134718398162.post-89159387927034410222014-03-17T12:23:00.002+00:002014-03-17T12:23:56.168+00:00Knitting and Stitching Show, and another Bushy 10kWe're experiencing some much needed sunshine here in the UK at the moment, and it's been a glorious start to spring for the past week. Couple that with the fact that I've got 2 weeks off from uni and I'm in a very Good Mood.<br />
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On Thursday I took a break from preparing for a uni presentation and pootled along in the sunshine to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia. I've never been to something like this before, but to say I enjoyed it would be something of an understatement. Text to the lovely boyfriend a couple of minutes after stepping through the door; "Oh. My. Goodness. I've died and gone to a sweet granny-filled heaven." There was yarn and fabric and sewing stuff and sweet little old ladies everywhere. It was indeed heaven. I spent a blissful couple of hours wandering around and abusing my bankcard, before I decided it would probably be in my best interests if I left. I bought some alpaca yarn and a jumper pattern from <a href="http://www.purlalpacadesigns.com/" target="_blank">PurlAlpaca</a>, a couple of embroidery sets from <a href="http://www.rowandean.com/" target="_blank">Rowandean Embroidery</a>, some fabric from <a href="http://www.fabricsgalore.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fabrics Galore</a>, and some really sweet little heart scraps and buttons from <a href="http://www.naturaleigh.co.uk/home.html" target="_blank">NaturaLeigh</a>. Watch out for progress on those projects soon.<br />
Actually, I already finished one - the Rowandean <a href="http://www.rowandean.com/Rowandean-Embroidery-Lavender-Fields/dp/B001U7B5AQ?field_availability=-1&field_browse=767162031&id=Rowandean+Embroidery+Lavender+Fields&ie=UTF8&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Cprice&searchNodeID=767162031&searchPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12" target="_blank">Lavender Fields</a> embroidery kit. It took less than 24hrs, and will be framed and gifted to my mum for Mother's Day.<br />
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On Sunday the lovely boyfriend and I took part in the second of the series of <a href="http://capitalrunners.com/Bushy_Park_10K.html" target="_blank">Bushy Park 10kms,</a> organised by Capital Runners. It really is a great race, 2 interesting laps, a varied field of competitors, incredibly family friendly - just an all round very nice relaxed race. We'd both run storming PBs back in January, which had kinda appeared out of the blue. Obviously keen to do better, but a bit unsure about how we'd run that fast in the first place we weren't entirely sure what sort of times we'd be able to manage on a very beautiful and sunny spring day.<br />
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If anything, it was actually a bit too hot. I knew within a couple of km that it wasn't going to be a PB day. My splits were down on what I needed even though I felt that it was running quite hard. With each km that went by the running got harder and the splits got slower. At all the places where I'd felt surprisingly strong last time I was feeling tired and struggling. It was a real effort to try and keep pushing on, especially knowing that I was going to be disappointed with my time. Initially hopeful of something under 56 minutes I finally finished in 57:21.<br />
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Only 40 seconds slower than last time, and it seemed everyone felt the unaccustomed heat a bit because the winning time was slower than January and even the lovely boyfriend finished a little way off his PB. But I've got another medal (surprisingly it's a different one to the January one!) and we went and had ice creams afterwards. It was a beautiful day, and we made an epic roast dinner jointly with the flatmates that night. All in all, not so bad.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I particularly like the 'wine-pouring' shadow!</i></td></tr>
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<br />knitandrunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136044276960005807noreply@blogger.com0