Training Totals - July 2010

Haven't reported this in awhile.  I had a pretty good month despite getting bronchitis.

• Bike: 80.96 miles
• Run: 51.99 miles
• Swim: 4,500 meters
• Strength: 15 minutes
• Physical Therapy: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Race Volunteering: 5 hours 30 minutes

I also did three races this month.  I had to sit out a triathlon on July 25th due to the bronchitis, but was still able to do some running races

• Cul de Sac 5k #1: 42:01, 2/4 in Age Group
• Cul de Sac 5k #2: 40:14, 2/3 in Age Group
• Cul de Sac 5k #3: 38:12, 1/2 in Age Group

Finished Projects

Starting my knitting for Fall and Winter early, I decided to make a slouchy hat and a scarf.  These are both made with Sunshine Yarns Worsted Merino in the color Unbirthday.

Behold! I have made yarn!

It's not very good, but I made some!

Inspiring a Yarn Color

Dani at Sunshine Yarns ran a contest to submit photos of favorite summer vacations to become inspiration for new yarn colors.  I submitted some photos of our honeymoon in Tahiti and it was selected to become one of the new yarn colors!

It will be available to purchase - along with the other Summer Inspirations - on Tuesday July 27th at 11:00 AM MDT.  All of the yarns are gorgeous, but I'm especially excited to see mine in person!!!

Update: here is my yarn in person!  It's gorgeous!!  Can't wait to make a pair of socks with this.

Making my Own Yarn

I've been having issues with my wrist while knitting, so I'm going to try spinning.  For my birthday, I got a Golding Tsunami spindle in their Learn to Spin kit.  I'm excited to try. 

Futher Proof That I am a Big Nerd

Since January, I've been participating in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup (HPKCHC) online on Ravelry.  Basically, a bunch of knitters and crocheters get together and are divided into the houses - I'm a Ravenclaw - and there are six classes per month, plus you can sit for OWL exams that take three months.

This term, the Headmistress issued a challenge asking us to knit bookmarks that will be sent to J. K. Rowling to give to children as one of her big charities is childrens' literacy.  Here are my submissions:

I think they are quite adorable.  I'm almost sad that I am giving them away.  Hopefully, they will make someone happy.

Other Recent Knitting Projects

Citron Shawl knit in Blue Heron Metallic Rayon yarn (this was my big splurge at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May):

A Soot Sprite made with leftover black wool and some fun fur.  Hate the yarn, but I love the result.

2010 Socks - Pair 4

This pair was a birthday gift for my mom.  Knit in Colinette Jitterbug in Vatican Pie.  Pattern is from the book Socks from the Toe Up.

Catching Up

I haven't posted in awhile, so I'm going to try to catch up.  Work has been really busy.  I went home to Wisconsin for a few weeks at the end of June to visit my family.  My little brother got married!!  Here's a picture of me and my new sister-in-law:

Training went better in June, so that was an improvement.

June's totals:
Bike:	6h 51m 31s  - 101.14 Mi
Run:	5h 39m 48s  - 25.57 Mi
Swim:	7h 00m 14s  - 14500 M
Strength:	1h 40m
Barefoot Walking:	45m

Lots of knitting got done, but I'll put those in a separate post.  :)