Best Laid Plans

I take training seriously. I like training for both the enjoyment of running events and for the mental and health benefits of staying active. I put in events for fun and for a good workout. Sometimes to get in that event (a 5k in this instance), i need to rearrange my schedule so i can still get in quality workouts.

That happened this week. I wanted to race a 5k. It would've been a good workout and given me a good indicator of where i am right now. I ran my long run mid-week in preparation for this.

And? Race morning, my temp was 101.7 degrees.  Sick! Yes, best laid plans. I stayed on the couch most of the day. Walking up the half flight of stairs from the basement was enough of a workout for me! 

A New Trail!

Actually, the new Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail is much more than a new trail. It's a new connecting link that is a great new addition to the local trail scene. Right now, it's not that long at 6 miles but it's covering a section on the Eastside which will only see great growth and I believe there are plans for extending it.  What a great addition!  

As it's  a gravel trail, it's not my favorite and my feet were complaining about that gravel towards the end of my long run. I tend towards multiple hot spots now when running on gravel but I was still really happy to get out to explore on such a beautiful day. 

Depending on where you access the trail, you can expect a very steep hill to get to and from the trail. But then you are rewarded with a great view!

Cherry Trees

Cherry Tree at Seward Park

Spring is here for sure. We've been getting quick blasting storms but then bright and sunny skies. 

I'm holding at 3 days of higher intensity running with solid cardio cross training and I'm enjoying it. With only 3 runs per week, I really look forward to those runs. biking usually on my roller trainer is the preferred cardio but I have also been rowing. 

The foot continues to do ok and I will take that. I ran 13 miles this morning and felt great. I will take it! 

A fun knit

This is a hat to wear when out running and I was inspired to knit it when I saw a friend of a friend wearing one when yes, you guessed it, out running. It is bright and cheerful and can be changed to accommodate any color scheme. Each stripe of color for the rainbow palette only takes a portion of each skein so multiple hats are encouraged. I’ve been thinking of fingerless gloves too.

The hat was cast on and knit to achieve the rolled brim in single strand of the worsted weight yarn. After 4 rounds to allow the rolled brim to develop, the yarn was doubled to give a thicker weave and denser fabric. Yarn was double-stranded for the rest of the hat.

Cast on 77. Join round and knit 4 rows in single strand. Join in second strand of same color and knit approximately 2” (7 rows of double stranded knitting for me). With next row, knit in new color (double-stranded). The following row, purl the entire row. Continue knitting 6 more rows (the band of color will be approximately 1”). Continue this pattern with the next 2 colors (4 rows of color total).
Start crown decreases after approximately 6” of length depending on head size. You may have already started the next color band before starting the decreases.
To decrease:
Row 1: Knit 9 sts, K2Tog (repeat to the end of round)
Row 2: Knit one row even

Repeat these two rows, decreasing by one before the K2Tog for each repeat. Knit 8 will be next, etc.
Continue until you have 6 stitches left. Break yarn and draw through remaining stitches. Weave in the many, many ends.