the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

Many Things, Not All Of Them Yarny

by 60 Comments

Hello.

So on the plus side, I’ve been designing new crocheted and knitted thingummies and I’m very excited about sharing the patterns with you super-soon. My yarny/designing mojo has well and truly come back and has plonked its ample rear here on the sofa beside me.

But. 

Of the three ideas that I’m working on (a cardigan, a peg-bag, and a vest top), two use yarns that aren’t yet available outside of a secret vault under Stylecraft HQ, and the third involves an unusual technique that I really want to show you properly in a big woolly ta-da once the thing is done. Behind the scenes, my needles and hooks are busy. So it won’t be long. Here’s a hint of cardigan, in a yarn that I’ll be allowed to talk about from tomorrow:-

In the meantime, let’s have an update, because I’ve been itching to tell you…  I RAN A MARATHON! I did it! I may have been the dunce of the PE class at school, but last Sunday I ran for 26.2 miles of hills in blazing heat without stopping! My time was 4 hours, 54 minutes, which was better than I’d dared hope for. (After all, I am 45 years old and creaky and my right leg points inwards.) Surprisingly, it was almost… dare I say it… sort of… fun.

↑ That’s the ‘before’ shot. Along the way, I only took this one photo, because I just wanted to get the job done. ↓

See those clouds? They offered absolutely no shade whatsoever.

It was beautiful hilly countryside, deep in the Forest Of Dean. So beautiful that I longed to veer off-piste and explore the little streams and lakes and the woodland beside the track. But I knew that if I stopped, I’d never start again, so I kept going, and going, and going, and very slowly, I began to clock up more and more mile-markers until I realized that I might actually be able to do this thing in a vaguely respectable time, despite the blazing heat. But most of all, I was thinking of the widely-reported statistic that of first-timers who sign up for a marathon, only 5% actually cross the finish-line of said race, and I DID NOT WANT TO BE NORMAL. So I kept going. All that training in the hot Oxfordshire countryside paid off. And at the end? Well they give you a fat, heavy, medal with a wild boar on it, and unlimited cups of water. Job done. 🙂

Looking a bit tired, now.

So now that’s all over, I’ll have more time to knit and crochet and ponder whether I could run an ultra-marathon. Especially as I’ve pretty much finished making the wildlife pond, too. (Those ugly liner-edges will be covered by pre-planted coir mats, arriving Wednesday. Not that I’m VERY EXCITED or anything.)

And you? Whatever you’ve been up to, I hope most of all that there’s been plenty of yarn in your life, and that you’re making it into something truly beautiful.

Happy yarnery,

Phil x

Comments

  2. Well done on your marathon success – I am very impressed (as a fellow knitter, late developing runner 1st running regularly in my late 30’s, and nhs clinician!). I’ve never run more than 8.5 miles, I was aspiring to 10 but then inadvertently found myself expecting child 3… so running is currently ‘paused’ and you know what? I really, really miss it… so seeing you smash out a marathon in your mid 40’s is super great to see – if you’ve still ‘got it’ there’s hope I might get it back once this little varmint is on the outside!! Looking forwards to seeing the projects unveiled, too.

    Reply

    • Ooh, congratulations and happy varmint-incubation! We have WAY too much in common. As for the running, believe me, if I can do it then anyone can do it. Seriously. But maybe not whilst pregnant…

      Reply

  3. Ooh… I’m so excited about all your secret squirrel yarny projects and can’t wait to hear about those but right now I just have to say (and I may have mentioned this already in another online place) a big fat WOW! In fact WOW WOW and triple WOW. That’s some mighty good marathon running you did there. Very well done indeed Ms Twisted. I am in awe.

    Reply

    • You’ll no doubt see them at the pub very soon! (And thank you for your kind words, my friend. I still regret turning down your suggestion of running a 10k race together because I thought it would be WAY too far.)

      Reply

  4. Congratulations!!!!! I am in awe. And looking forward to the yarn-related surprises in store.
    Liz.

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  5. Woooooow, you did it! And in that time! So absolute stunning. I’m so proud of you. That point when your breath, your heartbeat and that one leg for an other goes in a flow and state of mind as one is so utterly addicting. You’ll run more, I promise you. Love your pond. That’s addicting too, I’ve four at the moment XD Full of life, fish, dragonflies, frogs and toads and gorgeous plants. (but keep that man out) And all what is attracted to water ( not that anonymous man) <3 And new yarn. I tried new yarn too! Makes one happy too. Show and tell next time.

    Reply

    • You have FOUR ponds?! FOUR?! OK, please may I move in with you? Actually, I’d better not, because I’d spend my whole life watching your wildlife and never getting anything done. Thank you for your kind words about the marathon – and yes I know what you mean about that oh-so-rare perfect state of running flow.

      Reply

  6. I had to go and nap after reading your adventures with your running, it was exhausting! Well done, your pond looks wonderful (we are hoping to put one in next year after seeing yours!) So looking forward to hearing more about your knitting. What a busy lady, love your blog!!

    Reply

    • Thank you! (And I really hope you do put in a pond, but then I wish that EVERYONE would put in a pond.)

      Reply

  7. Congratulations for your amazing performance as a 1st time marathon runner and in the scorching heat! You rocked it!
    Now, off to the pond to have deserved fun 🙂
    We’ll wait here for your next yarny update. Sleep well!

    Reply

  8. Well done, my daughter and I did a 10k when I was in my 40s and she was in her 20s… I don’t walk much these days but I know what it takes and how great you can feel running. Your pond is lovely… so beautiful. I’ll be looking forward to more yarn posts.

    Reply

  9. Well done with the Marathon. Only time I ever used to run was for a bus, and I can’t do that now!
    The pond looks beautiful, even without the coir matting. Hope the wildlife appreciate it and turn up and play nicely!
    Looking forward to the Reveals!

    Reply

    • Thank you! So far, lots of predators have turned up, so I’m not sure they’ll be playing nicely…

      Reply

  10. Congratulations on running your marathon. I am in awe at your time in that draining heat! And I love your pond, now I shall make one as well. But I shan’t run, I’m 77 with bad legs so I can be excused. Hurrah for you!!!

    Reply

    • Excellent, another pond! (I may be a tiny bit evangelical on the subject.) May it bring you endless fascination and joy.

      As for the running, I’m not sure that you can be excused: I was overtaken by several folk who looked as though they were in their late seventies…

      Reply

  12. A big congratulations on your marathon running!!! We all know you are not normal, so we were certain you would finish! LOL! I always love your new projects, so I’m looking forward to the newest one!

    Reply

  13. congratulations on completing your marathon! yay!
    and your garden pool is looking good already!
    i really love your posts … keep them coming!

    Reply

  14. Well done for doing your marathon!….I don’t think I could run that far, but I did the race for life (walked it😀) and am definitely doing it next year. You are an inspiration to us all, and can’t wait to see more yarny things. Love, love, love your blog, sue x

    Reply

    • The Race For Life is such a wonderful thing – I bet the atmosphere is amazing?
      And thank you for your kind words.

      Reply

    • Thank you! The peg bag is finished, but I’m not allowed to show it to you for another six weeks or so. I’m writing up the pattern, though, so it’ll be all ready.

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  20. You never cease to amaze and amuse – accomplishing the marathon has marked a milepost in your life – you’ll be a changed woman, accepting more challenges and generally feeling very good about yourself, as well you should! So many of us loving you all over the globe…you are an angel and an inspiration. Besides all that you have a most delightful sense of humor – with love and admiration I offer my thanks.

    Reply

    • As always, you’re kinder than I deserve, but thank you. The marathon certainly took a bit of effort! Meanwhile I hope that whatever you’re doing today, it involves lots of colour and lots of yarn.

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  21. Well done you. I am still plugging away at 5k. My husband it an ultrarunner but regularly does 100 miles plus. An ultrarunner is technically anyone who runs over marathon distance so you are nearly there 🙂

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  22. Well done for the marathon. I think the only Marathon I could do would be a knitting one. Love your Blogg xx

    Reply

  23. Well done on your marathon results, you should be very proud of yourself.
    And, ……… what a a beautiful pond you have created.
    Love your blog, looking forward to the ta-dah moment of the new Stylecraft project on your needles, so far yours have been astounding!

    Reply

    • Thank you for all of that – you’re extremely kind. Right, I’d better get on with the knitting and the crocheting, then!

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  25. Waw, I don’t know what inspires most: the yarn business or the running! Really in awe here :-). How did you start running in the beginning? Did you use a scheme or did you just follow your instinct?

    Reply

    • I didn’t follow any particular scheme because I’m no good at doing what I’m told. But I did marry a runner, who nagged me a lot until I got into doing it regularly. Races really help you focus, I’ve discovered. But if you’re looking for a scheme, I’ve heard from so many people that the Couch To 5k is really brilliant…

      Reply

  26. Congratulations on the marathon! A definite achievement and what a good time too.
    Apropos of nothing, inspired by your photo of your Fair Isle skirt I challenged my own personal knitwear designer (or sister) to knit me one and she did! Now waiting for cooler weather so I can wear it.

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  27. Oh my! a brilliant well done on your Marathon run what a great achievement. Your wildlife pond looks absolutely stunning and it’s not quite finished yet. Interested in seeing the peg bag, not thought of knitting one of those but could certainly do with one.

    Reply

  29. Well done on completing the marathon in such heat and that was a great time for your first marathon. In fact, I did my first marathon at your age and my time was almost exactly the same – must be 40s thing! I never dreamt I’d still be running marathons & ultra marathons in my 60s and I ran my first 100 miler to celebrate turning 60 earlier this year. It’s a slippery but very enjoyable slope. I hope you’re feeling very proud. We too have wildlife ponds, one large and one small, and they are a delight.

    Reply

  30. I am so impressed with your dedication and fortitude. Congratulations on your fabulous time but more importantly for starting and finishing and incredibly difficult challenge. I used to run 10K races with friends, and a few 5K’s as well. I can’t begin to imagine.a full marathon. You look terrific. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store in the yarn department. And oh my goodness your pond is amazing. What a lovely thing to have in your garden.

    Reply

  31. I love your blog! Well done on your marathon achievement. I am currently training for my third half marathon and have a plan to run a marathon in 18 months time (by then I will be 57). I cannot believe how much fun running is (that is when it is not totally hell). Ironically, I cannot knit or craft much at the moment due to a long standing shoulder problem even though I can churn out the miles on my feet! I also love my pond and can lose hours with my bum in the air, nose a few inches from the water, lost in the life beneath the surface. I am looking forward to seeing your secret yarny project.

    Reply

  32. Well done on the marathon achievement! I ran a half marathon once and that about did me in, so I have immense, immense respect for you to do a full one and finish on your first try!

    Reply

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